Highlights

Rare survivor of the Irish-built Mk2s
Retains its original Irish registration plate
Same family ownership for 48 years to
Full ‘nut and bolt’ mechanical and engine rebuild just completed
Evocative and well kept example

The Appeal

It is a little-known fact but Ireland built Jaguars. To get around punitive import taxes, Jaguar’s mercurial head, William Lyons, commissioned Frank Cavey & Sons of Dublin to assemble the firm’s cars from knocked-down kits. The practice continued from 1937 until the arrival of the XJ6 in 1968.

The numbers were never high - Cavey claimed 100 per year, but the figure was likely lower - which makes this lovely 1964 2.4 example both rare and amongst the last built. It is beautifully preserved and sports a fetching black over burgundy colour scheme.

It has been in Ireland all its life and retains its original registration plate. That sense of history and originality pervades every aspect of this evocative car’s interior and exterior. This is a car to buy as much for the intrinsic appeal of a Mk2 as for its unique history.

Beyond the aesthetics, the engine and mechanicals have been recently subject to what the vendor describes as a ‘nut and bolt’ rebuild, so this car is in good mechanical health.

The History and Paperwork

Rare Irish Jaguar Mark 2
Assembled by Frank Cavey & Sons LTD, 53/55 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2 in 1963/64.
First registered in July 1964
First keeper was a person from Meath and then went to Mayo in December 1968
Car remained in the same family for 48 years
Based in Ireland for the last 60 years
Odometer reads 57,866 miles
Full ‘nut and bolt’ mechanical restoration in 2023 according to seller
MOT and NCT exempt
Some stamped service history
Service done by John C. Scahill, 3 Rutland Place, Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Original toolkit, spare wheel, and jack
Owner’s manuals and books
Road tax €56.00 ROI
Original brown Irish tax book with a record of all owners

The Condition

Original red Leather seats with no cuts just patina with contrasting red carpets
Interior shows signs of wear and tear throughout the cabin but is in overall good condition
Push button starter
Rear armrests
No cracks to the dashboard according to seller
Interior wood trim in fair condition throughout
All gauges and dials work
Headlining like new with no sagging
Door cards all good
Carpets in good condition
All electrics and functions are working correctly and in good order
Walnut picnic tables
Original Mason Black colour paintwork in good condition
Original wheels and hub caps are all very clean and new period style tyres
Shamrock stamps on all glass windows
Some scratches and marks in the paintwork to be found
Chrome in good condition with some instances showing some very light surface pitting
Clean engine bay as shown
Underbody is excellent, clean, solid, and treated
Lights all work and are free from any cracks or damage
Clean and dry boot area containing the correct spare wheel, original toolkit, and jack
Good bodywork with minor work needs on some door bottoms boot lid and spare wheel well
Paintwork is good and look well from a distance, however has blemish and small amounts of surface rust over parts of the car

The Mechanics

2.4 litre 120bhp XK engine
Factory standard mechanical specification
4-speed manual transmission
Complete nut and bolt engine restoration recently
Engine rebuilt including head modified to take unleaded petrol
No reported running or driving issues

Recent maintenance:

Carburettors rebuilt
New clutch
Brakes overhauled and renewed
Radiator replaced
New shock absorbers
Replacement track rods/ ball joints
New battery
New stainless steel exhaust

The vendor tells us:

“This car is in excellent mechanical shape, starting and driving very well with no major issues and is in a get in and drive away condition. It is a good, sound 1964 Jaguar 2.4 litre. Engine rebuilt recently. Steeped in Irish history as it was assembled in Dublin by Frank Cavey and has an Irish registration from day one. Very few left. Body and interior are in good condition. Underbody in excellent condition. Engine in excellent condition.”

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..