Bruce's 3.8 Mark II Jaguar

During our first year in England together, the primary transport that Bruce and I had at our disposal was an immaculate little Morris Minor 1000, which Bruce had purchased from Betty Brabham. This car really gave us incredible service, we used it not only for all our driving around Britain to the various race meetings but we took it to the Continent and had an absolutely wonderful trip to Monaco and the whole south of France when Bruce did a Formula 2 race at Pau after the Monaco Grand Prix where he was driving a Cooper.

Through 1959 Bruce was becoming increasingly recognized as a top Grand Prix driver and his position in the Cooper team as a works driver with Jack Brabham was very secure. Later in the year Bruce gave a lot of thought to buying another car, that he wanted to keep for some time. Because of the fact that previously in NZ his father, Les McLaren, had a 1956 Mark I 2.4 Jaguar (which at the time was really quite a superb motor car and pretty rare in New Zealand), Bruce had this liking for and inclination towards Jaguar.

He approached the Jaguar factory through Coombs of Guildford, who were leading Jaguar dealers and asked what the upcoming plans were for a new saloon as there had been press reports that the Mark II version of the Jaguar 3.4 was going to be announced. There was also an indication that a 3.8 litre version, which would be an optional specification car was going to go into production. Bruce accordingly asked if he could have the 3.8 Jaguar Mark II and select the colour of his choice. Jaguar agreed to build him one of the first Mark II's off the production line and he chose a maroon colour with red interior and wire wheels. As it turned out because of the fact that Bruce was becoming increasingly well known as a Grand Prix driver, the Jaguar factory went to great trouble in building his 3.8 Mark II and in fact as we understand it there was much individual attention given to the engine and it was a hand built blue printed unit. The car was obviously going to be built to the best specification and quality that they could produce at that time.

In October 1959, the car was duly available for collection from the Jaguar factory and Bruce very proudly brought the car to our flat in Dolphin Close, Surbiton, which was our new apartment at that stage. We had moved from the previous small flat that we had occupied and now was a time for great celebration because in 1959 the Mark II was a very sought after car and it really was quite stunning.

The Jaguar tended to be used for more of the special trips over the next 6 months to a year, because the Morris Minor remained our day to day transport. One of the first things that we were able to do not long after the car arrived was to take it to the M1, which was the new motorway north that had been under construction for some time. It had recently been opened and wasn't carrying very much traffic at that particular time. The advantage of the M1 was of course, that here was this new motorway and in Britain there were no open road speed limits. We took a drive north on the M1 because we wanted to be one of the first to use the motorway and also let the 3.8 stretch its legs. With very little traffic and no speed limit the joy of driving was endless as far as we were concerned. We found that the Mark II cruised effortlessly at 125mph in overdrive top. Top speed? Over 140mph.

A number of other Grand Prix drivers also duly obtained 3.8 Mark II's for personal transport and of course very shortly after their introduction they became an integral part of the touring car scene in saloon car racing, Bruce in fact drove one in competition as did other leading drivers like Roy Salvadori, Jack Sears and Graham Hill. We really felt like kings of the road and the car really was quite superb under all conditions, whether it be around town or out on the open highways. We had some of the most pleasurable motoring of our time during the period that Bruce had the Mark II. He eventually shipped it to New Zealand, where it remained with his father for many years thereafter.

This was a high performance model of that era and as history shows became very collectible and remains a desirable classic in terms of its handling, performance and its sheer beauty right up to the present day.

I understand that Bruce's car was sold to Australia and is currently somewhere in Sydney after a period of time in Queensland. After having been restored, I believe it is now on display in its completely original condition.

Like many Grand Prix drivers Bruce had an affinity for a good road car and the 3.8 Mark II certainly fitted into that category. It was a car that Bruce really enjoyed and encouraged him to stay with Jaguars when he later bought an E-type - but that's another story.

Footnote:

As a result of this article, the current owner has written and informed me that the car is now in Melbourne and has indeed been fully restored. I am very pleased that this important part of Bruce McLaren's history has been preserved.


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