Under Contract.

I can’t help but think that the 3.8 Jaguar, is the very embodiment of Sir William Lyon’s “Grace, space and pace” motto.

They have a beautiful, flowing style, with near perfect saloon proportions. It certainly had pace covered, as it was the fastest sedan in the world, winning touring car championships, all over the world. For space, they comfortably fit four adults, in a stunning late 50’s, early 60’s halcyon days style. When you then factor in the groundbreaking engineering, of 4 wheel disc brakes and independent suspension, these innovative, era defining saloons, are simply amazing value for money, in a time that value for money can be a bit hard to interpret.

OK, so we hopefully agree that these Mk2 Jag’s are pretty cool, what’s up with this Carmen red one?

That’s a funny story and it starts with something the Jag Saloon excelled at; Motorsport!

It could be readily argued that the very backbone of Australia’s historic racing movement is Group N, which is a mix of genuine, but mostly replica touring cars of the 1950’s, through to the current cut off of 1972. Prior to being classified as Group N, they were called a more period correct “Appendix J” referring to the FIA ruleset of that era.

This category hit the ground running, proving to be very popular as Appendix J and still popular today as Group N.

In the early 80’s, Mr Ron “Hoddo” Hodgson, a legendary big-thinking businessman, decided to throw his cap into the historic racing world and sensibly wanted to partake in one of his famous old racers from the period. The Ex McKay /Hodgson/ Geoghegan Mk1 “Grey Pussy” was owned by Jaguar themselves at that time, and they loaned it to him to run in a Jaguar Tribute historic racing event at Sydney’s Amaroo Park in 1984. He raced it somewhat successfully, until he hit the left-hand guard on the Armco fencing, on the exit turn to the main straight. Hastily repaired in his workshop, he returned the car to Jaguar, but was not offered it again!  So no luck continuing his racing endeavours there. His period replacement for the Grey Pussy, a Coombs kit modified Red Mk2 chassis #201340DN, had been missing and was supposedly unaccounted for. In true can-do “Hoddo” fashion, he commissioned master engineer Peter Molloy to recreate his old Mk2, but in a way that only Peter Molloy could. Utilising a suitable donor chassis #202868DN, it was quite the machine, with Hoddo being a very successful Jaguar / Ferrari and Holden dealer, he insisted on the car being the finest on the grid, at great expense. This is where the story takes a funny twist…

Somewhere along the path between concept and reality, the replica that Hoddo commissioned, became the genuine article. People had no reason to doubt its authenticity, so it became widely known amongst the Sydney scene, as the genuine article. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on who you are, up on the Gold Coast in QLD, a Jaguar specialist mechanic, Mr Paul Cotter was quietly working away on his long-term project, the “missing”, genuine Ex Hoddo Mk2 Jag. Those who knew, knew. You can see where this is going, can’t you?

Circa 1989, Hoddo decided, rather hastily rumour has it, to sell “his” Mk2 Appendix J Jag, for the princely sum at the time of $60,000.00, probably what it owed him, to a trucking magnate, who would likely prefer to remain un-named. Said trucking magnate took his prized Mk2 replica racer, to Jaguar legend and all-round good guy, Mr Chris Haigh, for an evaluation. Chris, then President of the Jaguar Car Club, had the less than desirable job of informing this well-meaning soul, that his car was not the genuine article, as it was sitting largely unrestored and not for sale in a garage in QLD… Ouch.

A bitter pill was swallowed and the now known as a replica Appendix J Mk2 was then sold to Alan Grice’s supporter and devout motorsport enthusiast, Mr Ian Maudsley. This sale was legitimate, as it was represented as a beautifully crafted replica, of the Hodgson Mk2 Jag and without its distinct white “Coombs nose-ring”. Mr Maudsley was a great custodian of the Jaguar for the next 27 years! Come 2017 and patriarch of Ecurie Bowden, Mr David Bowden purchased the genuine Hoddo Mk 2, in almost completed form, from the estate of Paul Cotter (RIP). Mr Maudsley, who was living on the Gold Coast at the time and established the annual “Motorsport Legends Lunch” asked David if he also wanted to buy the replica?

David, who had been through multiple restorations, reasoned with myself that the car would serve as a good parts car for the genuine article as it needed finishing. To Mr Cotter’s credit, pretty much the whole, genuine car, was in the parts package we purchased, and all the replica actually contributed was a template to see how things fitted and worked.

So now the replica sits in our shed, looking a bit forlorn, but she isn’t; There’s a complete, very special factory 3.8 Mk2 with an entertaining back story sitting there, waiting for someone to get her back to “much-loved” status.

If you have read this far, I hope that’s you!

Between the Peter Molloy build and modifications and Ian Maudsley adaptations to road use (Power steering!), this is a very trick Mk 2 3.8. Originally Bryson’s delivered in very chic Mist Grey on Red leather trim, which is the best spec for a Mk 2 IMO. A nice coincidence is that combination is the same specification as our beloved Ex McKay / Hodgson/Geoghegan “Grey Pussy” Mk1 Jag.

Feel free to contact me to discuss, how unique this Mk2 Jaguar is. If you are Jag curious, it certainly will be worth your while.

Fun facts about #20268DN:
1st owner was Mr Fred Hebblewhite, of Cronulla Sydney.
Delivery date of 12/5/1961.
Factory 3.8 manual with overdrive in RHD.
Delivered in Mist Grey (Non metallic) over red trim.
Car retains its matching engine to this day.