For many, the definitive Jaguar sports saloon, the Mk2, was introduced in October 1959. A peerless blend of elegance and muscularity, its sleek lines clothed an evolution of the Coventry marque's first monocoque design. Powered by derivatives of the same XK DOHC straight-six engine that had swept Jaguar to five Le Mans victories, the Mk2 was quick to dominate contemporary saloon car racing. Equipped with coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle and servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, the range-topping 3.8 boasted nearly seven times the horsepower of a Mini 850 and a 126mph top speed! Blessed with one of the all-time great automotive interiors, its stylish instrumentation, rich wood veneers and sumptuous leather upholstery all conspired to cosset and cocoon its lucky occupants.

This rather smart 3.8-litre example dates from 1964 and we understand returned to the UK in 1990. It's a UK-supplied, right-hand drive car and was converted from a manual gearbox to automatic during its restoration by P and K Thornton in 1999. The Jaguar now presents very well in British Racing Green over Sage Green leather with new Apple Green carpets, a light grey headlining and excellent veneers. It looks very sporty with chrome wire wheels, Speedwell racing mirrors, chromed tailpipes and a Moto-Lita wood-rim steering wheel. Supplied with the car are invoices dated between 1992 and 2000 totalling £38,896 and in 2003 it was valued at £30,000. It has covered 96,500 miles which is a bit academic with a restoration of this quality.

This a beautifully presented Mk2 with all the right sporting cues and, unusually, it's an automatic which opens up a whole new list of potential owners who, for one reason or another, are more comfortable without a clutch pedal.