Beacham Special Vehicles of Hastings, New Zealand, has been restoring and tastefully upgrading Jaguar Mark 2 Saloons since the late eighties. The world-renowned shop is known for preserving the model’s beautiful aesthetics while enhancing drivability, safety, and performance through well-engineered upgrades that address the Jaguar’s well-documented shortcomings and amplify its virtues. This beautifully presented Jaguar Mark 2 Saloon is a splendid example of Beacham’s work.

Completing production in March 1961, chassis P216447BW left Jaguar’s factory finished in Opalescent Gunmetal with a red interior and equipped with wire wheels. Two months later the car was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York. In the early 2000s, Beacham Special Vehicles fully refurbished the Mark 2, augmenting it with numerous components from a modern Jaguar XKR, including its 4.0-liter supercharged V-8 engine, rated at 390 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque, mated to a ZF five-speed automatic transmission. Beacham upgraded the chassis with a fully independent rear suspension, stainless-steel dual exhaust system, and AP Racing brakes. Louvers on the hood, a vent under the front bumper, and a modern electric fan improved cooling capabilities, while the battery was relocated to the trunk.

The interior was fitted with new tan leather upholstery, power seats, power windows, power mirrors, modern gauges, and modern air conditioning. A restored walnut-veneer dashboard and center console were installed, along with a Jaguar-badged sound system with six-disc CD changer and a modern steering wheel with airbag. The elegant coachwork was refinished in Flamenco-Red metallic paint, while wider chrome wire wheels were shod with Pirelli P6000 tires for improved traction.

The work was completed in 2004. The following year, a California-based enthusiast acquired the Mark 2 and kept it until 2018. It then briefly passed to another owner before entering the Leith Collection, where it has been mechanically maintained and carefully preserved. With its modern underpinnings and amenities, this Mark 2 offers the timeless appeal of a classic British motoring icon with updated driving dynamics and comfort.