1968 Jaguar 340 Saloon

Jaguar's Mark II was the original compact sports saloon, offering exceptional performance, roadholding and style at an extremely competitive price. One of the most revered Jaguars, the Mark II proved hugely popular with the public, still selling strongly ten years after its introduction. The final incarnation of the Mark II range was unveiled in September 1967, with the two models - known as the 240 and 340 - distinguished externally by the slimmer bumpers and hubcaps from the S-Type. Mechanical changes were limited to ribbed camshaft covers on the XK engine and a new Borg Warner Model 35 automatic transmission. The 240/340 models were produced for just two years, filling the gap until the new XJ6 was launched in 1968, and are quite rare - indeed there were just 2,265 340s built in right-hand drive guise. A road test by Autosport magazine performed in 1968 proved just how quick the 340 was, with 0-100 km/h coming up in 8.8 seconds and a top speed approaching 200 km/h - exceptional figures in the day. The 340 is an excellent and very affordable proposition today, offering all the technical developments and various improvements, such as Varamatic power steering, made to the Mark II over the life of the model. With disc brakes all round, power steering and automatic transmission, the 340 is delightfully unfussed in modern traffic, yet the driver is constantly rewarded by the most comfortable and trimmed cockpit, just oozing that classic Jaguar ambience.