2019-05-20 13:25:02 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 6/19
www.bonhams.com/auctions/25220/lot/154/

Auction description:
Lot 154
1948 Jaguar Mark IV 3½ Liter Drophead Coupe
US$ 75,000 - 100,000£ 59,000 - 78,000
Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction
Chassis no. 637062
Engine no. Z3904 (see text)
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®

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.

2020-05-11 04:34:11 | Pekka T. writes:

HI, found the data under "737062" form an old entry. (typo) Hood colour probably lost as due to the mistake this had been entered as a MKVII (that obviously has not convertible top). Has a later MKV engine fitted. It's a pity they never get the interior colours right, "Pigskin Grain Tan" is a much darker and saturated colour, like an American football. Cheers!