Test drive!!!
04/14/2026
I tell myself the same thing every time: stay sober, listen and look closely. Be critical, ask all kinds of questions and try - er - again: stay sober! Well, I definitely don't have a drinking problem, it's the clear mind I'm supposed to use. And what happens then? Like last weekend, I throw all those good intentions and intentions to the wind, get in a car and give myself over to its sweet temptations. This time it was a 1964 Jaguar Mk 2 - a very nippy 3.4-liter still with the Moss gearbox and overdrive. It was probably repainted in the past, but the interior is pleasingly original with beautifully patinated red leather seats. The history is reasonably well known; the cuddly saloon was delivered by the Swiss importer for the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Garage Claparède SA in Geneva.
And then? As soon as the engine is started, the exhaust is bubbling and the car is moving, these things are forgotten. Yes, the car drives great, it shifts gears well, the overdrive is engaged and disengaged smoothly and no rumbling noises penetrate the interior. The brakes also pull reasonably straight. Only the brake fluid level indicator occasionally flickers. Then all is well with the world. And so you drive along, talking to the owner about God and the world, steering here and there and enjoying the ride. Yes, the car chokes when leaving a traffic circle, the fifth cylinder oils up the spark plug, there are small bubbles on the door edges and the color, whether this blue metallic is original, is also unclear. But the short drive was enjoyable. That all sounds quite good, but the question arises as to whether I have now looked at this car "soberly", felt inside it and examined it critically? I'm afraid not! Because it wrapped me around its finger, lulled me, flattered me a little (in this case with a scratch-free downshift to second gear) and - quite honestly - clouded my senses. But when the fog has lifted, I will probably have to make a decision. As this hasn't happened yet, I'll forgo a picture of the car in question and present a contemporary "serving suggestion" for the Jaguar Mk 2 from the corresponding 1964 sales brochure.
