3,485cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Dual SU Side-Draft Carburetors
125bhp at 4,250rpm
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs with Solid Front and Live Rear Axles
4-Wheel Girling Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Early Post-War Jaguar
*Subject of a 9-year restoration, 2000-2009
*One of only 376 left drive Dropheads produced
*A CCCA Full Classic®

THE JAGUAR MK IV

The name 'Jaguar' was first used by SS Cars Ltd in 1936 to denote its new high-performance sports model, the SS100; company founder William Lyons later recalled: "I immediately pounced on Jaguar as it had an exciting sound to me."

'SS' originally stood for the Swallow Sidecar & Coachbuilding Company, which had been founded in Blackpool, England by William Walmsley. The company branched out into motor manufacture in 1926, its first major success being an attractive sports saloon on the Austin Seven chassis, the design being the work of Walmsley's partner, one William Lyons. 'Jaguar' would be adopted as the marque name in March 1945, and they commenced post-war production with a range of pre-war designs, albeit with some minor improvements. Essentially stopgap models pending the arrival of an entirely new generation of Jaguars, these comprised the compact 1½-Liter and the 2½/3½-Liter model, retrospectively known as the 'Mark IV', which still enjoyed an enviable reputation for strong performance, good road manners and well-appointed interiors.

Only 376 left-hand drive examples of Jaguar's Mark IV 3½-liter model were built in the short production run spanning the period December 1947 to September 1948. The 3½-liter model boasted a top speed of 91mph and, carefully driven, would return 18mpg. The Drophead Coupé cars were long awaited as initial post-war Jaguar production had been restricted to saloon cars. The new dropheads were eagerly snapped up by the home and overseas markets.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This eminently tourable classic Jaguar hails from 1948 and the snapshot period of the Mark IV. This one was supplied new into the U.S. Market, in April that year. According to its Heritage certificate, in those days it was delivered in black with pigskin interior. It appears to have remained on the East Coast for much of its life and at some point along that journey, its motor was replaced with a period 3 ½ unit, a not uncommon occurrence.

The current owners acquired the car nearly 20 years ago in May 2000, having seen it in the barn of collector Basil Shadlum in New Jersey. Following the purchase, a 9-year journey of restoration was expended on the car to bring it to the very fine order we see it today. Names included in the rebuild were: Quid Blankly who reupholstered the car in its rich tan hides and was responsible for the top; Jim Kinsella who carried out the repaint to the highly appealing Mauritius Blau colorway, a BMW color which suits the car well; wheels were refurbished by Valley Wire Wheel Service; the transmission was redone by Quantum Mechanics and various other sources were used for the engine rebuild, replating, new wire loom etc. At the end of 9 years the car emerged much as you see it today. In addition, a set of tools were sourced and fitted to the rear trunk lid compartment as well as a 'Service Manual for all models 1946-1948' was bought to go with the car.

These practical fully convertible Jaguars represent a wonderful multipurpose touring car with ample commodious seating, much in the Jaguar idiom of 'grace, pace and space'. Eligible for CCCA Caravans or Show events, on a beautiful sunny day the top can be put down fully and the weather enjoyed, but if a shower of rain should pass they can quickly totally enclose the passengers, or of course there's always the option of shading the rear passengers while the front are in the open. 'Decisions, decisions' as they say, those may be for the next custodian of this attractive example.