1951 Jaguar MK VII

Lot details
Registration No: LHP 42
Chassis No: 710365
Mot Expiry: Jan 2012

The MKVII Jaguar was launched at the London Motor Show of 1950. A big, confident-looking four-door sports Saloon, it was a clever blend of old and new. Old, was the chassis, which was borrowed from the outgoing MKV model. New, was the streamlined body featuring fully integrated headlights, removable rearwheel spats and a two-piece, V-shaped windscreen. Gone too was the MKV's pre-war engine and in its place came a 160bhp 3.4-litre version of Jaguar's stunning new DOHC XK straight-six unit. Initially equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, the MKVII quickly acquired the options of Laycock de Normanville overdrive or Borg Warner automatic transmission. Independent front suspension via wishbones and torsion bars worked in tandem with a semi-elliptic leaf-sprung back axle. Braking was by twin trailing-shoe drums all round. In a 1952 road test of an overdrive version, Motor magazine returned a time of 13.7 seconds for the sprint from 0-60 mph and achieved a top speed of 101 mph. Surprisingly wieldy, MKVIIs triumphed on the Monte Carlo Rally and in countless saloon car races (while 1953 even saw one contest the Mille Miglia).

The White, right-hand drive MKVII offered was produced in 1951 and purchased new from Jaguar Export by Bristol-based Spaniard Francisco Jorro. A Raymond Peel was the keeper from 1965 to 1997, when the car was bought by the vendor, who believes it to be one of the earliest examples still on the road. The Jaguar sports its original Coventry registration number, 'LHP 42', and factory-fitted engine. The latter was apparently overhauled in 1999 and has covered just 10,080 miles since - the work included a rebore, plus new pistons, valves and exhaust valve seats (suitable for unleaded fuel), bearing shells and flywheel ring-gear. Evidently the bodywork, suspension and steering have all been refurbished and new headlining and carpets installed. Items fitted to improve the car for modern motoring include a Kenlowe fan, overdrive and flashing indicators (though the original semaphore arms still work). The MKVII is also still equipped with the sportier, higher-ratio steering box (3.5:1) fitted by the first owner. This enchanting cat comes complete with original tools, handbook, early service record and beige logbook.