Lot 06: Jaguar MkV 3.5-Litre Saloon

Jaguar Cars - as William Lyons' SS concern had been renamed by 1945 - commenced post-war production with a range of improved but essentially pre-war designs. A considerable improvement on what had gone before, the MkV saloon's cruciform-braced chassis featured torsion bar independent front suspension, designed pre-war by the company's Chief Engineer William Heynes, and all-round hydraulic brakes. Jaguar's existing Standard-based, six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine was continued in both 2.5- and 3.5-litre forms in the MkV, whose bodywork likewise maintained the pre-war tradition, though with minor up-dating in the form of faired-in headlamps, deeper bumpers and rear wheel spats. Like its immediate predecessor, the MkV was available in saloon or drophead coup� versions and featured the kind of luxuriously appointed interior that had become a Jaguar hallmark. The announcement of Jaguar's first new generation post-war saloon - the MkVII - at the 1950 Motor show signalled the end for the MkV, production ceasing in June 1951 after slightly fewer than 10,500 had been built. Restored in 1981/82, this MkV saloon has covered only 300 miles since the engine was re-bored and zero miles since a bare-metal re-spray. Presented in superb condition, the car incorporates a number of sensible upgrades including power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering (ex-Triumph 2.5), telescopic shock absorbers at the rear (replacing the original lever type), and a Moss four-speed/overdrive gearbox (from a Jaguar Mk2). We are advised that the (genuine) odometer reading will be approximately 93,000 miles by time of sale, and that all the original parts replaced will accompany the car together with a quantity of accumulated spares. Offered with original Certificate of Registration. (It should be noted that the reversing lights are not connected).