1950 Jaguar Mark V 3½-Litre Drophead Coupe
Chassis no. 647256
Engine no. Z2830

"Everything about it, the feel of it, the way it goes, the way it sounds and the way it looks has distinction. Its engine is as docile in city streets as it is fast on the open road... I particularly liked the new steering, which is light, positive, self-centring and free from road shocks. It corners like a racing car yet the springing with extra-long torsion bars for the independent front suspension gives a delightfully smooth ride." – Courtenay Edwards, writing about the new Jaguar Mark V in the Daily Mail.

Jaguar's existing six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine was continued in both 2½- and 3½-litre forms in the Mark V, whose bodywork likewise maintained the tradition, though with minor up-dating in the form of faired-in headlamps, deeper bumpers, and rear wheel spats. Like its immediate predecessor, the Mark V was available in saloon or drophead coupe versions and featured the kind of luxuriously appointed interior that had become a Jaguar hallmark. The announcement of Jaguar's first new generation post-war saloon - the Mark VII - at the 1950 Motor show signalled the end for the Mark V, production ceasing in June 1951 after slightly fewer than 10,500 had been built, only 1,005 of which were dropheads like that offered here.

Little is known about this left-hand drive Mark V - which boasts the larger 3½-litre engine - other than it was acquired from Oldtimerfarm in Belgium in 2015. An online search has revealed that the car (believed sold new in Continental Europe) belonged to a Mr Jack Sanft in the USA in 1981 and was undergoing restoration at that time. Dated 2009, further online records state that the Jaguar had been cosmetically restored circa 2004 and had received a first-place trophy at the Greenwich Concours in 2005.

Finished in Bordeaux/black with red interior, the car has been stored since acquisition in 2015 and will require re-commissioning before further use. Accompanying documentation consists of copies of the 2015 advertisement, proforma invoice, and old Belgian registration papers. Mark V dropheads have been gaining in popularity recently and for good reason, as these beautiful cars epitomise Jaguar's traditional virtues of grace, space and pace.

Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Duty, Car Tax and VAT) will apply at roughly 12.5% of the Purchase Price. Included in this is the Swiss Duty which is calculated on the weight of the vehicle and shall be CHF 15 per 100 kg. Also included is Swiss Car Tax at 4% and this is calculated on the total Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss VAT will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium, Swiss Duty and Swiss Car Tax at a rate of 7.7%.
Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.