1963 Jaguar MKII 3.8 Beacham

Blending timeless Jaguar elegance with enhanced performance and Beacham refinement - a truly special classic sports saloon. The car still wears its original 1989 Beacham paint and chrome, and is not a recently repainted car trying to look perfect for sale; it is a carefully preserved Beacham-built car that has survived in outstanding condition. Finished in an elegant tone of metallic grey, this Jaguar has real presence on the road and looks every bit the timeless classic. There were very minor signs of paint splitting around the passenger side indicator light noted, if we were being really picky. Considering the car has been on the road for over ~60 years, the MKII showed very nicely indeed. The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there yourself. Please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car to form your own opinion about the condition of the paint. The Jaguar bodywork is in stunning condition and it's obvious that it's been really well cared for over its lifetime. Looking around the car, there are no major dings or dents that we noted on our visit. Shut lines are visually equal and matching, as is the bonnet, and all doors. The bonnet and boot sections both opened and closed well. There was a slight sign of micro blistering to the passenger lower quarter panel and the edge of the passenger side window, although we had to look very closely to spot these areas. When we looked over the car, we didn't see any major visual signs of marks to the body panels. Overall, a lovely and unique car that has been respected through its life. We've highlighted our observations in more detail through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves. The dash shows really well and the walnut trim matched with great levels of presentation - we noted no warning lights displayed when driving. The centre section showed really well and was very smartly presented, in-line with the age of the car. The odometer showed a reading of ~17,986 miles during our visit. Gauges, controls and interfaces were functioning without concern when starting up the car and out on the road and all dial surfaces were free from fogging. In period, the 3.8 manual overdrive MKII was the ultimate performance specification, with around 220bhp gross and road-test figures in the region of 0–60mph in 8.5 seconds and 125mph. In Beacham form, with improved steering, suspension, cooling and usability, this example offers the classic MKII character with a far more resolved driving experience. With light, precise steering and a well-balanced chassis, it feels composed and engaging, rewarding a relaxed but confident driving style. It’s a car that encourages you to settle into its rhythm - refined, charismatic, and unmistakably British - delivering a driving experience that remains both elegant and deeply enjoyable. The windscreen shows well and all sections of glass look smart - during our visit, we didn't notice any chips or cracks. Window seals look great and align with the overall condition of the car. The roof shows in lovely condition and we noted no issues with the interior roof finish. The body trim is in stunning shape, lights and lenses are in smart condition to the front and rear and badges reflect the same standard. We've taken you around the car in greater detail in our exterior review video, please take the time to look over the video and see how the glass and trim look from different perspectives. The car currently sits on period-appropriate 15-inch chrome wire wheels with tyres that present well visually and help preserve the car’s correct stance and appearance. The wheels are fitted with Kumho tyres with a tread spec of 185/80 - these are date coded from 2003 to the front and rear. As noted, the tyres are older and a new owner may choose to fit a fresh set before extended road use. That also gives the next custodian the opportunity to choose their preferred high-quality classic tyre; for example Michelin XAS or Pirelli Cinturato. Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old. Red leather seats provide a great amount of support in the cabin. The seats show in lovely condition and we barely noted a mark on these, just plush leathers well set for comfortable journeys. The rear section again showed well, in line with the rest of the cabin and showing very nicely. The carpets show well too without any concerns. Underneath the carpets, we didn't spot any issues. Overall, a very impressive interior that's a lovely place to be. We've captured high-resolution photos and a full interior video tour through the car. This covers off the angles inside the car for you to review and appreciate the condition of what's on offer here in our interior review section. We took the car out on some local roads with Tim to get a better feel for what this vehicle is all about. During the drive, we ran through the motions, taking the MKII through the gears and getting an overview from Tim's perspective on how the car performs. The engine is in excellent condition and Tim and the previous owner have had a lot of work done here. We cover these works further in the History and Paperwork section where the invoices / receipts are shown in the history file. Please take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold and for a closer look underneath the Jaguar, as well as the well-presented engine bay. During current ownership, CMC fitted a discreet Bluetooth audio upgrade with hidden Focal components, DSP, and a concealed subwoofer, along with sympathetic speaker integration to preserve the cabin’s original look. Rear seat belts were also added as part of these works. Additional Beacham upgrade features include: Bosch electric cooling fan, Lucas electronic distributor, upgraded brake servo, upgraded water pump / alternator / compressor belt arrangement, bonnet lock and ignition cut-out. Air conditioning is fitted and working - a rare and highly desirable usability feature on a MKII, and very much in keeping with Beacham’s philosophy of creating the ultimate usable Jaguar saloon. The seller reports that the car is fully functioning, including the switches, automatic choke and air-conditioning, with the recent specialist work and history file supporting its carefully maintained condition. The history file is one of the car’s defining strengths. It includes direct Beacham correspondence, period magazine features, Mr Parker’s own ‘Owner’s View’ article, photographic build material, a VHS video of the build, Jaguar Cars Export Ltd matching-numbers confirmation, the green logbook/original registration material and a substantial maintenance record. For an upgraded classic Jaguar, this level of period provenance is exceptional and materially changes how the car should be viewed. The car was commissioned by Mr John Parker, a serious Jaguar enthusiast who already owned and maintained Jaguars, including a 3.8 MKII Coombs replica. After seeing Beacham’s work at the 1989 NEC / British Motor Show, he commissioned this car directly from Greg Beacham. After discovering Beacham’s work at the 1989 NEC show, the previous owner commissioned the car directly. The history file includes period magazine features and extensive correspondence between the previous owner and Beacham directly, providing exceptional provenance rarely seen with upgraded Jaguars of this type. This car was built by Beacham as a high-specification MKII while preserving its classic presentation. Known Beacham upgrades and specification points include: 3.8-litre engine, manual gearbox with overdrive, all-synchromesh gearbox, Type A compact overdrive, limited-slip differential, XJ6 power steering rack, XJ40 front suspension swivel joints and Harvey Bailey handling kits front and rear. The car remained in the commissioning owner’s family until 2022, when Tim acquired the car - preserving rare continuity, originality, and identity. The car also retains its original registration, 4264 ED, which the previous owner successfully traced and reunited with the vehicle after its return from New Zealand following the Beacham build. After acquisition by Tim, the car was sent to Classic Motor Cars Ltd of Bridgnorth for a major recommissioning programme totalling over £11,000. The work included inspection, MOT preparation, diagnostic road testing, full annual service, steering and PAS work, fuel-system leak investigation, rear half-shaft/hub seal work, brake work, rear calipers/discs/pads, handbrake pads, front wheel-bearing adjustment, differential pinion seal work, dyno/carburettor set-up, air-conditioning service, electrical checks, discreet Bluetooth/DSP audio work, rear seat belts and final quality checks. The car is supported by an official Jaguar Cars Export Ltd letter from 1989, confirming the car’s identity and matching chassis and engine numbers. The underlying car is therefore the most desirable MKII specification: a genuine 3.8-litre manual overdrive car, with the confirmation letter forming an important part of the history file. Additional features cover: air conditioning, Bosch electric cooling fan, Lucas electronic distributor, upgraded brake servo, upgraded water pump / alternator / compressor belt arrangement, bonnet lock and ignition cut-out and other detail improvements consistent with Beacham’s aim of creating the ultimate usable MKII. The result is a car that retains the charm and compact elegance of the original MKII, but drives with greater ease, precision and confidence than a standard example. We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check. We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming. If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house. We noted no knocks, bangs or other issues from the suspension when we were driving, and it gave us no concerns in its performance or handling. There were no concerns looking over the underside of the Jaguar on our visit either. The brakes felt to have no pull or vibrations that stood out to us when on the journey, and brought the car to a stop without a problem. Overall the car performed as to be expected with no concerns out on the road. Please take a look over the mechanical videos and photographs to see close-up images from under the car. A classic and clean wooden trim 3-spoke steering wheel is well set to keep you focused on the road ahead. The black gear selector with surrounding red leather gaiter looks beautiful, aligning with the quality of the car. The cabin is truly a lovely place to take in the road ahead from, really well presented and very smart. We've captured high-resolution photos for you to review and check over the condition of the interior in our gallery section.