Lot Ended
Description
Rare M version with high-lift cams and close-ratio overdrive gearbox;
few owners, the current since 2018; recently recommissioned following a period
in storage; very straight, solid and original; driven to the sale; lots to
like!
Launched in 1950, the
Jaguar MkVII Saloon was a brilliant piece of automotive design that showed the
genius of William Lyons at the peak of his powers. Designed entirely by eye, it
used a series of swooping and muscular curves to turn what was a very large car
into a sculptural form of pure feline grace.
It was powered by the new
3.4-litre XK engine that had been showcased two years before in the stunning
XK120 sportscar. Producing 160bhp, it could propel the Big Cat to 60mph in just
over 13 seconds on its way to a top speed of 103mph – hugely impressive
figures for its day. The interior was no less a work of art with superbly
crafted wood and leatherwork that could have come straight from a stately home.
It was also exceptional value for money – the Bentley Continental, which was one
of the few cars that could stay with a MkVII, cost over five times as
much.
In October 1954 the car
got better still with the launch of the upgraded MkVIIM, high-lift cams and
other tweaks adding an extra 30bhp allied to a closer-ratio gearbox that boosted
top speed to 105mph and lopped a second off the 0-60 dash.
Most easily distinguished
by the chrome intake grilles beneath the headlights, the M proved a formidable
competition machine, chalking up numerous successes in events like the Monte
Carlo Rally and the Silverstone Production Car Race in the hands of drivers such
as Stirling Moss and Ian Appleyard. An alloy-bodied MkVIIM owned by Rowan
Atkinson continues to be raced at Goodwood to this day.
Around 30,000 MkVIIs were
sold (under a third in M spec) before it was replaced by the MkVIII in 1956 and
survivors are now extremely rare.
First registered in London
in November 1954, nothing is known of the early history of this MkVIIM but from
the mid-1970s until at least the mid-1980s it was owned by a Jaguar Club member,
David Green, who also owned a garage business in Hounslow. There is a copy of an
old V5 with his name on it plus a photo of the car in a 1984 copy of Jaguar
Driver magazine which states that it was in immaculate condition at that time.
There are also a collection of plaques which indicate that it was
frequently shown during this period.
By the mid-1990s it was
owned by a Mr Gardiner of Berkshire who kept it until at least 2015 with various
invoices to show new parts fitted during this time. These include a complete new
clutch kit, brake parts, electric fuel pump, cold start mechanism, starter ring
gear, service items etc. The vendor believes that he also rebuilt the engine,
although there are no invoices to substantiate this.
He clearly didn’t use the
car much, an old MOT from 1999 indicating that the speedo was showing
31,537 miles at that point and it has only covered around 300 miles
since.
Our vendor acquired the
car from AP Classics of Essex in October 2018, their advert stating that it was
“a lovely solid car, rebuilt engine and brakes, amazing underneath”. A
professional car restorer with a collection of fine classics, he has gone right
through the car to get it in roadworthy condition.
This included a full brake
system overhaul with new master cylinder, servo, brake shoes etc; two new fuel
tanks; four new tyres; carbs rebuilt; full service with all fluids changed
(including engine, gearbox, axle and steering box oils); all moving parts
greased plus much else besides.
He also discovered that
the car was originally painted Battleship Grey, although it has been white for
the last 40 years at least. While the paint finish is acceptable, it is far from
perfect and our vendor was intending to return the car to its original colour
but the recent purchase of a Bentley MkVI has meant that he has now run out of
storage space, hence the Jaguar’s appearance in this sale.
We are told that the car
runs and drives very nicely and has done around 100 trouble-free miles since it
was recommissioned. Driven some 20 miles to the sale, it has been starting
easily and running sweetly as we have moved it around on site, with good 40psi
oil pressure. There is also a Hitachi 8-Track stored in the boot along with
a selection of cassettes, a car cover and a factory workshop
manual.
As you can see in the
photos, it looks impressively straight, solid and original, both above and
below, with a gorgeous red leather interior, a lovely original headlining and
excellent woodwork. It even retains the original tool kits housed in the front
door cards. In fact, both we and the vendor believe that the indicated mileage
of 31,830 may well be correct – if only cars could talk…
In almost 20 years of
hosting these sales this is only the second MkVIIM that we have ever offered so
you are unlikely to see another for sale any time soon.
For more information
contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT