Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 490
1948 Jaguar Mark IV 3½-liter Drophead Coupé Chassis no. 637127
Sold for US$78,400 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 490
1948 Jaguar Mark IV 3½-liter Drophead Coupé
1948 Jaguar Mark IV 3½-liter Drophead Coupé
Chassis no. 637127
Chassis no. 637127
3,485cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Dual SU Side-Draft Carburetors
125bhp at 4,250rpm
4-Speed Moss Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs with Solid Front and Live Rear Axles
4-Wheel Girling Mechanical Drum Brakes
*One of only 376 left drive Dropheads produced
*Nicely restored
*A CCCA Full Classic®
*Classic English motoring experience
THE MARK IV DROPHEAD COUPÉ
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 post-war Jaguars were similar in almost all respects to their pre-war counterparts and mechanical variations were essentially only to compression ratio and gearing. 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. William Lyons, in typically astute fashion, had seized the opportunity to purchase Standard's engine manufacturing plant at the end of hostilities, ensuring continued supply of engines for his new model at a price which enabled him to maintain his pricing structure at a level that challenged his competitors. Nevertheless the Mark IV 3½-liter car was expensive at £1,263.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
This left-hand drive Mk IV Drophead It is attractively painted in white with superb green leather upholstery, grey carpets and excellent walnut veneer door cappings and dashboard. Driving equipment includes Lucas lighting, twin SU carburetors and a comprehensive fitted tool kit in the trunk lid. Known ownership history includes the Poleksy Family trust, who held ownership in the early 1980s. By the late 80s, Max Berryhill came to care for the car and was responsible for the refurbishment work. Then, Mr. Spain purchased the Jaguar in the 1990s. Nicely restored, the swoopy exterior is both elegant and sporting with the richly trimmed interior is inviting and comfortable. The Three position top allows for fully enclosed, sedenca, or completely open motoring. A CCCA Full Classic®, the Mark IV represents a wonderful value as a usable tour car that has the presence of a Bentley with adequate power and supreme waftability.
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