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Details
1950 3.5 LITRE JAGUAR MK V DROPHEAD COUPE
Registration No. SSU 811
Chassis No. 647333
Engine No. Z3127
Burgundy over black with white hood and dark red interior
Engine: six cylinder, push-rod operated overhead valves, 3,485cc giving 125bhp at 4,500 rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual with synchromesh; Suspension: front wishbones and torsion bars, rear semi-elliptic leaf spring brakes two leading-shoe Girling hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
Described in The Motor April 1950 as offering 'a standard of riding comfort which is outstandingly high, a standard which has not been bettered in any car of any nationality which it has been our good fortune to test...' the Mark V announced in September 1948 is the principal model with which Jaguar established its name following the war years.
It was somewhat a transitional model to bridge the gap between the existing cars of the pre-war concept and the new overhead camshaft model then under development. The well-proven six-cylinder push-rod overhead valve engine, which was little different from the SS100 which epitomised pre war British sports cars, was retained, in both 2½ and 3½ litre forms, but a new box-section cruciform braced chassis was used. The front suspension was independent by wishbones and torsion bars, with Girling telescopic hydraulic dampers, while Girling two leading shoe hydraulic brakes working in twelve-inch drums were used. Top speed was about 90mph and the model proved to have extraordinary longevity; it was used extensively by British Police forces and some examples covered more than 200,000 miles in service. The Irish driver Cecil Vard achieved third place in the 1951 Monte Carlo Rally in a 3½ litre MK V saloon. The model was discontinued in 1952, only around five hundred drophead coupes were made in left hand drive form and survivors are relatively few.
This example was imported to the UK in the late 1980s, following a period of restoration in America. It was offered for sale at Christie's Summer Vintage auction in 1989 where it was acquired by the present owner.
Today the car has a somewhat aged appearance and it is clear that any work carried out whilst in America was largely cosmetic, rather than a thorough rebuild. As a result, the car is worthy of careful inspection and in Christie's opinion notable areas that need attention are the base of both doors and the wings.
Accordingly, the car is offered at a modest price level for its model, and so represents a usable project, which can be progressively improved upon.
Registration No. SSU 811
Chassis No. 647333
Engine No. Z3127
Burgundy over black with white hood and dark red interior
Engine: six cylinder, push-rod operated overhead valves, 3,485cc giving 125bhp at 4,500 rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual with synchromesh; Suspension: front wishbones and torsion bars, rear semi-elliptic leaf spring brakes two leading-shoe Girling hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
Described in The Motor April 1950 as offering 'a standard of riding comfort which is outstandingly high, a standard which has not been bettered in any car of any nationality which it has been our good fortune to test...' the Mark V announced in September 1948 is the principal model with which Jaguar established its name following the war years.
It was somewhat a transitional model to bridge the gap between the existing cars of the pre-war concept and the new overhead camshaft model then under development. The well-proven six-cylinder push-rod overhead valve engine, which was little different from the SS100 which epitomised pre war British sports cars, was retained, in both 2½ and 3½ litre forms, but a new box-section cruciform braced chassis was used. The front suspension was independent by wishbones and torsion bars, with Girling telescopic hydraulic dampers, while Girling two leading shoe hydraulic brakes working in twelve-inch drums were used. Top speed was about 90mph and the model proved to have extraordinary longevity; it was used extensively by British Police forces and some examples covered more than 200,000 miles in service. The Irish driver Cecil Vard achieved third place in the 1951 Monte Carlo Rally in a 3½ litre MK V saloon. The model was discontinued in 1952, only around five hundred drophead coupes were made in left hand drive form and survivors are relatively few.
This example was imported to the UK in the late 1980s, following a period of restoration in America. It was offered for sale at Christie's Summer Vintage auction in 1989 where it was acquired by the present owner.
Today the car has a somewhat aged appearance and it is clear that any work carried out whilst in America was largely cosmetic, rather than a thorough rebuild. As a result, the car is worthy of careful inspection and in Christie's opinion notable areas that need attention are the base of both doors and the wings.
Accordingly, the car is offered at a modest price level for its model, and so represents a usable project, which can be progressively improved upon.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis