1951 Jaguar Mark V Drophead Coupe

br>3,442cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine (see text)
2 SU Carburetors
190bhp at 5,500rpm (see text)
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Rare Drophead Coupe version of the elegant MkV
*Uprated with MkVII power
*Two owners since 1953
*Clever three-position top


THE JAGUAR MK V
Jaguar Cars - as William Lyons' SS concern had been re-named in 1945 - commenced post-war production with a range of 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 coupé versions and featured the kind of luxuriously appointed interior that had become a Jaguar hallmark.

Few people had the chance to own the dropheads, because only 1,005 were built, of which just 28 used the smaller engine. In 1950, the stunning Mk V drophead sold for $3,850, which was nearly twice the price of a new Ford convertible. However, the Mk V had the kind of looks that would make people do almost anything just to own one.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This car has had only two owners in the past 68 years! It penultimate acquisition dates back to May 1953, when the car was purchased from Boch Motors of Norwood, MA, by the previous owner upon his graduation from U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Up to September 1956 it served as his personal transportation.

It was during this time that he decided that he didn't particularly like the car in its then current form and began to lightly customize it to his own requirements. In April 1956 he had the hood louvred and the spats removed so that he could fit wire wheels, in the same era he also had the car repainted from its Silver Blue livery with black top to a Black body with white top. Unimpressed by the performance of the Mark V unit, he elected to replace this with a Mark VII Jaguar motor – in his view the logical 'Mark Six' step that never occurred. With a Mark VII unit sourced this was installed by Morong Brothers of South Portland, ME and the completed car returned to the road in July 1957. Its original motor was not kept. Just five months later it was laid up in hibernation where it would rest until 1981.

Forty years ago a decision was made to revive the car, precipitating an exhaustive restoration process which ran for more then 9 years. With work carried out by English Auto in Searsport, ME and British Auto USA in Manchester, NH the car was completely refurbished. The color choice was now the popular 'coffee and cream' two tone scheme, which suits the lines of the car well. Its interior was re-trimmed in biscuit leather, and the dash veneer refinished. During this work, preferring the look of the early Jaguars, its fender line was re-sculpted to accept P100 headlights.

Since its completion the Jaguar has been used sparingly. The present owner acquired the car from Bonhams in June of 2011 and has kept the Jag on static display since. On recent inspection it was noted that the nearly three-decade old refurbishment has aged a nicely, while the paint is still very presentable for its age, it might benefit from a few detailing points such as shrinkage on the dash finish and should not be considered to be of show standard any longer. Given its decade of off- road hibernation, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active use by its third owner in the last nearly three score of years!