1968 Jaguar 340 Sports Saloon
Registration no. MCF 134F
Chassis no. 1J50819DN
Engine no. 7J51054-8

Introduced in September 1967, the 2.4-litre 240 and 3.4-litre 340 were the ultimate developments of the immensely successful Jaguar Mark 2, sports saloon, which had set the standard for the class throughout its entire production life and today remains highly prized by enthusiasts. Intended as new base models, the pair were barely distinguishable from each other, and differed from the final Mk2s by virtue of their Ambla upholstery (leather was now an option), slimmer bumpers and the absence of built-in fog lamps. Only the 240 differed significantly from its 2.4-litre Mark 2 predecessor, gaining a more-powerful version of the classic six-cylinder XK engine. Tested by Autosport magazine in 1968, an overdrive-equipped 340 reached 124mph, a figure only bettered marginally by the deleted 3.8-litre Mk2. Although the 240 lasted - briefly - into the XJ6 era, the 340 was axed on the latter's introduction in September 1968 and thus is one of the rarest of the Jaguar Mark 2 family.

This overdrive-equipped Jaguar 340 saloon was purchased by the present (third) owner on 1st June 1983, having been known to him from new. 'MCF 134F' was sold new to one G D Morley of Bury St Edmunds and used as an everyday car, covering over 85,000 miles by 1st October 1979 when it was sold to Mr D W Cracknell of Thurston, Suffolk, a Jaguar engineer who had serviced it from new. When acquired by the current vendor, the Jaguar was original but tired, and so a full restoration to concours standard was embarked upon with Mr Cracknell's assistance. A detailed list of works carried out is available (inspection recommended). The rebuild commenced in the autumn of 1983 and was completed in the spring of 1988, the car's first concours outing being to Beaulieu in May of that year for the JDC's International Spring Meeting where it received a 1st-in-class award. 'MCF 134F' continued to be shown for the next few years and a list of the many awards won is in the history file. The car comes with a V5C document, current MoT certificate and a virtually complete service history from new, including the restoration invoices. The only notified deviations from factory specifications are front spot and fog lights plus their switches, a new radio (negative earth) and a fuel pump cut-off switch.