I have scanned the forum for price guidance/opinions but most of the threads are a bit old.

I am searching for a Mk 2 in the Netherlands. I have decided to go for a 3.8 MOD. I am not looking for a project but it also does not need to be concours. I have just seen and driven a beauty. Body off restoration to a high quality. All the rust cut out and new sections welded in (photos). Engine and gearbox rebuilt, literally everything has been dismantled and rebuilt (with photos). Extra oil cooler and electronic ignition. Original working PAS with no leaks (also rebuilt). Interior is perfect and all the chrome has been redone. Gunmetal grey full respray (when the body was off) with a red interior which matches the original specification. Full history. Matching numbers and nothing hinky with the chassis and body numbers. It has had the seats replaced by XJ6 seats, it was imported from the UK in 1999 and has been converted from RHD to LHD. Gearbox has been upgraded, should have a moss box but reverse was left and up which I assume means its the syncrobox, it didn't feel like a moss either. The owner is asking €39.5K. It’s a high condition 2 car. I have checked Hagerty’s and as many auctions and adverts as I can find and it seems like a good price but not a real bargain. I know a car like this is not an investment but it would be great not to lose too much if I ever wanted/needed to sell. Owner says he is happy to wait until he gets his asking price so I don't think there will be much room for negotiation.

The min points I can see:
- Headliner attachment by the rear screen is not done very elegantly (I know its nit picking but I was struggling to find any faults)
- Seats replaced with XJ seats
- No tool kit
- Imported from the UK in 1999
- Converted from RHD to LHD
- Not the original gearbox but it is an upgrade.

Would be curious to hear any opinions.

As a note I started off looking for an S Type as I didn't want to spend too much. I understand the appeal of the S Type and it is in many ways a better car but the pull of the Mk 2 is too great. Used to charge around in a black 2.4 that one of my mates had when I was a youth. This was back in the day when you could pick up a runner for a couple of hundred quid.

 

if you want a LHD, look in countries that are LHD.

 

I am looking in NL which is a LHD country. I have found many here that have been converted. I think at a point when the Mk 2 was very popular (around the turn of the century) there were not enough available in this market and people imported them from the UK where they are more plentiful.
I doesn't really bother me that it has been converted I just thought I maybe able to use that during the negotiations.

 

A bargain is a car that's been well restored and isn't going to take either your life savings or the rest of your life to make it into what you want it to be. To misquote the salesman, the satisfaction (and the silly grin of the happy Jaguar owner) remain long after the price has been forgotten

 

Love it! Already had that silly grin when test driving, unfortunately the seller noticed. My girlfriend also says I have the same silly grin when I am driving the XK8, she sometimes asks me (jokingly) why I don't look at her the same way I look at the car.

 

The 'modern XK' silly grin is one of the most severe forms. Even surgically, it cannot be removed.

 

For the work that has been done which is in keeping with the originality of the car (apart from the seats) 39.5k euros comes out at £33600 which I think is a good price. In the UK a fully restored Mk2 should be between £35 and £40k. The restoration alone would cost £30 to £40k in the UK and that does not include the cost of buying the car in the first place. As for an investment any 1960s Mk2 regardless of the non original improvements is going to increase in value especially starting at £33600.
Rule of thumb is spend as much as you can afford on the best you can find and I think you have found the right one.

 

Thanks. That’s really useful.

I have checked out all the numbers and everything lines up except the gearbox. This car should have a moss box but it has the latter synchromesh box which I see as an improvement. The only other major change is the RHD to LHD conversion but looks like that has been done well.

 

there is a very nice condition 1962 LHD in Florida with a Chevy engine asking $24,000. USD.

 

According to this month's Practical Classics Magazine:
Project £3000 - 8000
Good £10,000 - 30,000
Excellent £20,000 - 60,000

 

Not a Jaguar then if it has a Chevy V8 engine Jose. lol. (It is your fault you started it again).

 

The lowest prices in the ranges will probably be for 2.4 automatics and the top for 3.8 mod cars. It makes Rishi's look a fair buy.

 

You sound like my Dad and his wise advice ~ "Son, buy the best you can afford, look after it and make it last"

 

I am going to try and negotiate with the owner:
- Is imported from the UK in 1999
- Was RHD and has been converted to LHD
- Not the original front seats
- No toolbox
- Headliner not well finished by the rear window

He says the price is non negotiable at €39.5K but I am going to try €37.5K.

Wish me luck.

 

I am not much of a negotiator. Got it for €38,750.

 

Congrats!

 

Congratulations! 😀

 

Indeed... Congratulations !

 

So much for the non negotiable 39.5 Euros. Well done and welcome to the Classic Jaguar ownership family. You need to post some photos of your acquisition now.

 

Well done ~ now you have a good car. Condition, condition, condition.