1951 Jaguar Mark V 3½-Litre Drophead Coupé

• One of only eight exported new to New Zealand
• Restored to concours standards in New Zealand in 1994
• Imported into the UK in 2011
• Engine rebuilt in 2018

One eight exported to New Zealand, this Jaguar Mark V was first owned by Mrs Hope of Te Puke, NZ. The car spent its life in the northern region and in 1994 it was discovered as a 'barn find' in central north island at Taupo.

Restoration commenced by stripping the car and checking chassis for alignment etc. Having no visible problems it was dipped in an acid bath and neutralized in an alkaline bath before priming and painting. The internal sections were Tectyl treated. All running gear e.g. suspension bushes, tie-rod ends, bearings, etc were replaced, while the braking system has been rebuilt with new piping and a PBR booster.

A new radiator core has been fitted, together with new aluminium castings for manifolds etc, and the water pump reconditioned. The engine was extensively reconditioned and balanced, the cylinder head receiving a new rocker shaft and felt wicks. The gearbox was overhauled and seals installed to eliminate oil leaks. The driveshaft was rebuilt with new universal joints and balanced, while the differential had new bearings, etc.

The body was dip-stripped and then rebuilt by Steve Roberts of Wanganui. Steve is one of the most competent constructors in New Zealand, whose attention to original detail is quite remarkable. All panels were metal finished and body solder used as per original. The refurbishment took many months. When the body was finished, the Ford Motor Company agreed to place it on their assembly line in Auckland. Following a visit by their chemists to inspect its condition (see photographs), the body was undercoated prior to final painting.

A new wiring loom was manufactured in Australia to include flashing semaphores etc. Instruments were refurbished by specialists Parrotts of Christchurch. The replacement door handles, etc were ex-Ashwater Forge. Other aluminium trim parts were replaced with brass, except the landau bars.
Trimming in Connolly leather was undertaken by George Lee of Christchurch, NZ, whose work has featured in many concours-winning cars (including at Pebble Beach). The hood came from a former factory supplier at Wembley. Completed in 1994, the restoration's quality was recognized at the Easter 2003 National Jaguar Rally with the premium award for restoration (see photograph on file).
Imported from New Zealand in 2011, the Jaguar has since benefited from £5,000 spent by the current owner on various works including an engine rebuild in May 2018. The car also received a new set of tyres (spare included) in 2022. Bills for these recent works and photographs relating to the New Zealand restoration are on file together with a BMIHT certificate and V5C.