Lot details
Registration No: OUO 55
Chassis No: 715483
Mot Expiry: March 2012

The MKVII Jaguar was launched at the London Motor Show of 1950. A big, confident-looking four-door sports Saloon, it was a clever blend of old and new. Old, was the chassis, which was borrowed from the outgoing MKV model. New, was the streamlined body featuring fully integrated headlights, removable rearwheel spats and a two-piece, V-shaped windscreen. Gone too was the MKV's pre-war engine and in its place came a 160bhp 3.4-litre version of Jaguar's stunning new DOHC XK straight-six unit. Initially equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, the MKVII quickly acquired the options of Laycock de Normanville overdrive or Borg Warner automatic transmission. Independent front suspension via wishbones and torsion bars worked in tandem with a semi-elliptic leaf-sprung back axle. Braking was by twin trailing-shoe drums all round. In a 1952 road test of an overdrive version, Motor magazine returned a time of 13.7 seconds for the sprint from 0-60 mph and achieved a top speed of 101 mph. Surprisingly wieldy, MKVIIs triumphed on the Monte Carlo Rally and in countless saloon car races (while 1953 even saw one contest the Mille Miglia).

Finished in Black with Tan leather upholstery when manufactured on 5th March 1952, this particular example was supplied new via Henlys of London. Although its early history is unknown the saloon appears to have been well cared for. Able to boast 'matching' chassis and engine numbers as well as its original leather upholstery and registration number, the Jaguar is understood to have passed through the hands of Mr Dallimore, Bob Watson, Jeremy Wade, Peter Harper, John Nicholson and Ken Bell between 1987 and 1996. 'OUO 55' then remained with Mr Bell (a former Technical Advisor to the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) for seven years before entering the current ownership in June 2003. The MKVII comes with workshop and parts manuals, some spares and MOTs back to 1982, which the vendor feels substantiate the indicated mileage of 80,000. The gearbox was refurbished some 18,000 miles ago, while the car's general specification has been enhanced via polybushes for the front suspension and a Kenlowe electric engine fan. The seller rates the coachwork as "generally good, some small defects", the paintwork as "very good, some small defects", the engine as "average to good, some rear oil seal leakage", the four-speed manual gearbox as "good, changes cannot be hurried", the electrical equipment as "all in order" and the interior trim as "original - average / good".