It’s hard to mistake a Jaguar Mark 2 for anything but what it is: a British automotive legend with impeccable style, poise, and charm that transcends decades. Yet Beacham Special Vehicles, an extraordinary firm known for its dedication to both vehicle restoration and blending classic automotive aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, has taken the Mark 2 to a place no one could have imagined in the 1960s. They’ve created a driving work of art. An icon reinvigorated with modern engineering while honouring its mid-century heritage.
This is the story of a one such vehicle, a Portofino Blue, a Beacham Special Vehicle restomod Jaguar Mark 2, powered by a sleek 3-litre supercharged V6 and styled with modern precision, inside and out.
As is often the case, Beacham Special Vehicle’s client journey begins with an email or inquiry from their website. And more often than not, these individuals already know what they want, having read about Beacham’s legendary transformations in articles such as this, or admired one of their creations in person. For the UK client behind this particular build, the vision was clear: a fully restored and refined Mark 2, merging timeless beauty with the power and convenience of a modern driving experience.
The client opted for the three-litre supercharged V6 engine, a nod to performance with subtle refinement, one of several powertrain options Beacham offers, including a five-litre supercharged V8. The next choice was colour: a striking Portofino Blue from Jaguar’s modern palette, paired with a sophisticated blue-grey leather interior. The stage was set.
Every Beacham restomod essentially begins by sourcing two key vehicles: a classic Mark 2 and a relatively modern Jaguar XJ. For this particular car, Beacham found the Mark 2 shell here in New Zealand, a country with a surprising abundance of suitable candidates for restoration. In short, these cars often need extensive work due to rust or the deterioration of parts that make traditional restorations prohibitively expensive.
As a side note, Beacham’s team pre-emptively scours the market for available Mark 2s, ensuring a steady supply of potential projects even before a client comes calling. In this case, they secured a Mark 2 in reasonable condition, ready to be stripped down to its bare bones. Meanwhile, a right-hand drive Jaguar XJ with minimal damage was also sourced from New Zealand, providing the drivetrain, suspension, and modern electronics necessary for the transformation.
The Build Process
The restoration truly begins when the Mark 2 arrives at Beacham’s workshop. The car was treated to an intensive strip-down, leaving only a bare-metal shell. The team meticulously removed outdated components, discarding original engines, suspension systems, glass, and obsolete features like outdated park lights and spats over the rear wheels. The bare frame was sandblasted in certain sections, while other areas were carefully stripped using heat guns to prevent damaging the thin vintage panels.
Once fully inspected, the team repaired and replaced rusted sections of the body with high-quality patch panels sourced from overseas. The body was mounted on jigs for precision alignment to ensure it could accommodate the XJ’s modern running gear, all while staying true to the Mark 2’s original lines. Beacham made subtle, deliberate modifications to streamline the car’s profile. Out went the antiquated park lights on top of the front fenders and spats over the rear wheels, which many felt gave the Mark 2 an outdated, squatting appearance. Updated mirrors and modern door handles (moved from their original shoulder line position) were carefully integrated, preserving the classic aesthetic while providing contemporary convenience.
A Marriage of Classic and Modern
The transformed shell was then mounted onto a modernised platform derived from the XJ donor car. This included adaptive suspension systems with coil-over shocks, allowing for firmer, safer handling and the ability to fine-tune ride height with ease. Wider wheels and modern tires were added, providing the poise and grip required for the enhanced performance of the supercharged V6 engine.
Custom fabrications also allowed the integration of the XJ’s original six-speed ZF automatic transmission. Seamlessly mated to the V6, the drivetrain delivered silky-smooth shifts matched with spirited acceleration. The exhaust system was designed to balance performance and sound, with a subtle growl on the move and a faint whine from the supercharger, enough to hint at its capabilities without losing its executive appeal.
Technological Innovation Meets Timeless Style
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Beacham Special Motors build process is its mastery of Jaguar’s modern electronics, often the greatest challenge in restomodding. Every component sourced from the XJ donor car, from adaptive cruise control to electric windows, was integrated flawlessly. The team works within Jaguar’s CAN bus system, ensuring the Mark 2’s contemporary features perform as seamlessly as they would in a 2020s luxury car. LED headlights, designed to fit the original chrome surrounds, brought enhanced visibility with a period-correct appearance.
Inside, the cabin was painstakingly reimagined. The original dashboard was retained but enhanced using marine ply backing for durability and re-veneered in rich wood finishes. Reupholstered seats from the XJ donor car were trimmed in blue-gray leather, matching the bespoke leather-wrapped steering wheel. The result is an interior that feels as elegant as the 1960s design intended, but with the modern touchpoints expected in a luxury car, including air conditioning, subtle ambient lighting, and infotainment discreetly integrated into the space.
The Result: A Masterpiece Reborn
The final product is jaw-dropping. At first glance, the exterior of the Mark 2 is virtually indistinguishable from an exceptionally well-kept original example. Restored to concours-level standards, it showcases the distinct charm of its era, highlighted further by its Portofino Blue paintwork. Upon closer inspection, subtle details begin to reveal this Jaguar’s transformation: the sleeker silhouette, the contemporary door handles, and the cleaner front fender design.
Behind the wheel, the difference is night and day. The supercharged V6 provides 350 horsepower, delivering acceleration that a 1960s Mark 2 could only dream of. The suspension and modern chassis offer sharp, precise handling without sacrificing comfort, making this a car equally at home on a Sunday country drive or keeping pace with modern traffic on the motorway. Adaptive cruise control, electric windows, and a host of other conveniences elevate the Mark 2 to a level of usability that defines it as more than just a work of art, it’s a car you’d want to drive every day.
A Labor of Love
The build took three years to complete, a longer timeline than normal due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Beacham’s typical projects run closer to 15 months, but their commitment to perfection remained unwavering throughout the disruptions.
For the client, the wait will undoubtedly be worth it. More than just a car, this Mark 2 transcends time and trends, existing as a rolling masterpiece bringing the romance of the past into the 21st century. As Beacham Special Vehicles often says, their restorations are not just machines, they are works of art.
