7th Dec, 2011 15:00

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 25
 

1947 Jaguar MK IV 3.5 Litre Saloon


Lot details
Registration No: XOW 798
Chassis No: 611549
Mot Expiry: May 2012

Following an emergency wartime board meeting in March 1945, William Lyons' SS Jaguar concern jettisoned its prefix initials and their unwanted Nazi connotations. When peace came some six months later, the newly renamed Jaguar Cars - like most British motor manufacturers - felt constrained by the government's `export or die' drive to put various of its pre-September 1939 models back into production (albeit with some minor improvements). Luckily for the Coventry firm, this entailed trying to sell a line-up of 1.5 litre four-cylinder and 2.5 / 3.5 litre six-cylinder cars which still enjoyed an enviable reputation for strong performance, good road manners and well appointed interiors. Initial flagship of what was retrospectively known as the MKIV range, the Jaguar 3.5 Litre Saloon sat atop a box-section chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, lever-arm dampers, Burman worm-and-nut steering and Girling mechanical drum brakes. Credited with developing some 125bhp and 184lbft, its 3485cc OHV straight-six engine was allied to four-speed manual transmission and promised 90mph plus performance. Utilising the same all-steel body construction as its late 1930s SS Jaguar forebear, the newcomer appeared even sleeker thanks to a revised hypoid bevel back axle that allowed the floor to be lowered by two inches. Nicknamed the `Wardour Street Bentley' on account of its popularity with the glamorous if occasionally decadent Soho-set, the MKIV 3.5 Litre Saloon remained in production until February 1949 by which time some 3,605 right-hand drive cars had been completed.

This particular example - chassis 611549 - was supplied new to South Africa. Resident in Cape Town for a while - as evidenced by the 'Robb Motors' plaque still affixed to its dashboard - the 3.5 litre saloon is understood to have had just two registered UK keepers since being repatriated during 1959. Found to be remarkably well preserved despite a period of barn storage when it entered the previous family ownership in 1984, the Jaguar was nonetheless stripped pending an extensive restoration which would take some twenty years to complete. A garage proprietor by profession, the last owner's father undertook much of the work himself. Though invoices on file show that the car was given a professional respray in its original colour by Bodyshop UK of Weston Coyney and also benefited from the ministrations of marque specialists J.A. Garages Ltd of Leek, Staffordshire and Davenport Cars Ltd of Tetworth, Bedfordshire. As well as supplying numerous small parts, the latter was responsible for 'debugging' the car and overhauling its original engine during late 2003.

Pleasingly retaining what appears to be its original green leather upholstery (complemented by a new headlining, replacement carpets and refinished wood veneers), 'XOW 789' is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition cosmetically, while he rates the engine as "excellent". Believed but not warranted to have covered some 57,000 miles from new, the handsome sports saloon boasts such niceties as a leaping Jaguar mascot, stainless steel exhaust, boot-mounted tool kit (near complete), opening windscreen, sunroof and auxiliary driving lamps. Riding on painted wire wheels, this appealing 'Big Cat' is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until June 1st 2012 and history file. The latter comprises the following: Jaguar Service Manual for All Models 1946-1948 (reprint), several old tax discs, assorted J.A.Garages Ltd invoices (copies and originals), Instruction Book for the Jaguar 2½ Litre and 3½ Litre Models 1946 (original), various MOT certificates dating back to 2003, several Davenport Cars Ltd invoices, sundry parts diagrams, and a Bodyshop UK invoice etc.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 7th Dec, 2011

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine