1959 Jaguar 3.4 Mk.1 Saloon

1959 Jaguar 3.4 Mk.1 Saloon
Chassis no. 5988931DN1
Engine no. XE8722-8
3,442 cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Dual SU HS6 Sidedraft Carburetors
210bhp at 6600rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear axle
4-Wheel Girling Disc Brakes

*The world's first sports sedan
*XK-derived Jaguar twin-cam engine
*Nicely restored to original specification
*Attractive color combination

THE JAGUAR 3.4 SEDAN

To replace its obsolete pre-war-flavored Mark 5 sedan, Jaguar created a match made in heaven: A light, compact, four-door with the company's first application of a steel unibody design. It provided room for four plus a spacious trunk compartment. Under the bonnet was an de-stroked version of the soon-to-be immortal twin-cam six introduced in the XK120. Although the new Mark I was first made available with a much smaller, 2.4-liter six, the better choice was the 3.4 liter version which produced a healthy 210 horsepower. It was available with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. In 1960, the 3.4 was replaced by the 3.8 MkII, which offered brilliant acceleration for the day, and a maximum speed of 125 mph, placing it among the quickest and fastest sedans on the planet. Both the 3.4 and 3.8 were quick and great-handling; with optional Girling disc brakes at all four corners, they were highly successful in both rally and circuit racing events, and proved popular with notable drivers of the period. Needless to say, these Jaguar sedans also found useful work with police agencies. Some 17 thousand 3.4s were produced, after which the 3.8 MkII arrived.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Resplendent in gleaming metallic red paint over a biscuit leather interior with polished wood dashboard trim, this elegant left-hand-drive 3.4 MkI sedan was factory-equipped with a manual four-speed transmission that includes an overdrive gear. There are disc brakes all around, with wire wheels and cutaway rear-wheel spats adding to its good looks and performance character. Its odometer currently displays 62,649 miles.

This handsome Jaguar presents a great opportunity to acquire a good-looking, sleekly-styled small Jag that still offers performance equal to many modern four-doors.