1956 Jaguar Mk1

Launched in 1955, the 'Mk1' 2.4 litre (as it would be known retrospectively after the Mk2's arrival) extended Jaguar's domination of the high-performance car market in Britain, slotting neatly into the Coventry firm's range alongside the big MkVII M saloon and the XK140 sports car.

Unmistakably a Jaguar with the ‘Leaping Cat’ mascot sitting proudly above the grille this medium sized newcomer broke new ground for Jaguar.

It was the first model to employ unitary construction of the chassis, it used a short-stroked version of the engine that powered the C-type and D-type to multiple Le Mans victories, and employed independent front suspension via coil springs and wishbones, while the live rear axle was located by a Panhard rod, radius arms and semi-elliptic leaf springs. Girling shock absorbers and Lockheed drum brakes were fitted all round and these superbly well-made sports cars set new sales records for Jaguar.

The exceptionally well-preserved car offered here is a numbers matching Australian delivered 1956 Jaguar Mk1 2.4 Litre with a near-perfect period patina.

According to its Jaguar Heritage Certificate, this car was dispatched from Liverpool, UK and sold new by Bryson Jaguar, Sydney ordered in Dove Grey over Biscuit trim with manual transmission and in right hand drive - exactly as it presents today.

Recently the subject of the following service works, this car both presents and drives in superb, original condition benefitting from a carburettor overhaul, new spark plugs and points, new fuel pump, a new muffler and tail-pipe as well as a restored steering wheel.

Accompanied by its complete and original tool-kit in great condition, rarely seen rear-wheel spats and heritage certificate this collectable and in-expensive sports classic is perfect for stamp duty free historic registration and that once-a-week coffee and cars or winding weekend road drive.