1947 Jaguar Mark IV

The vendor imported this magnificently stately Mark IV from the US in 2020.

It first went to the US in 1979, when it was bought by the Classy Chassis company of Texas from a Mr Seymour of Leeds.

The car then spent most of the next two decades in storage.

We know that the car was the subject of a complete, frame-off restoration in 1997 and that the work was deemed (then and now) to be of a very high standard.

It was sold at a 2015 auction in Nova Scotia, Canada, to a buyer in California.

Originally Birch Grey with a Silver-Black interior, the car is now a rich maroon colour and has a grey interior.

It is in excellent all-round condition – cosmetically, mechanically and dynamically.

No matter what angle or direction you approach this car from, it presents very handsomely and is without any defects, flaws or aberrations worthy of the name anywhere that we can see.

The swooping lines and graceful curves are home to doors and panels that fit snugly and consistently.

The doors close home with reassuring degrees of weight and precision.

The newly acquired chrome wire wheels are beyond reproach, as are the matching Lucas tyres, which are impressively chunky items.

We could find nothing to complain about anywhere on the brightwork, save for the odd minor scratch, and we were particularly taken by the huge Lucas headlamps that dominate the forward-facing aspect of the car.

We found a small patch of blistering and some nascent bubbling at the bottom of the o/s/r door, some cracks to the paint at each corner where the bodywork, meets the sunroof, a couple of paint chips on the driver’s door, some tiny paint bubbles above the n/s/r door, and a few paint chips, cracks to the paint and evidence of touch-up repairs on the n/s/f wing and on the door edges, boot lid and bonnet.

Opening the door is like crossing a portal that takes you back to 1947 and a moment in time when Clement Attlee was in Downing Street, all men smoked pipes, all women drank sherry, all dogs were obedient, and almost everyone – man, woman or dog – looked and sounded a bit like Noël Coward.

It is gloriously of its era and is a splendid showcase for Jaguar’s enduring ability to turn wood and leather into somewhere you would happily want to spend some quality time.

The grey leather upholstery has shrugged off the attentions of time and use with cavalier insouciance.

The soft hides have yet to earn much more than a light crease, let alone any of the ingrained patina you might expect to find in a vehicle of this vintage.

Front and back, the seats are comfortable, supportive and functional.

Throughout, the carpets, headlining and door cards are fine.

There are some chips and scratches in evidence on all four interior sill covers and kick plates, and there’s one small but just about noticeable repair to the passenger seat.

The wood veneers and rich and glossy, with the only deviations from excellence being one or two cracks to the lacquer on the door cappings and a repaired split in the wooden housing for the windscreen winder.

The capacious luggage area is following the same script in terms of condition and contains two boxes of assorted spare parts.

It also contains an impressively complete tool-kit with what we imagine are a number of original tools.

The steering wheel, handbrake, gear lever, pedals and other controls are all in unimpeachable condition.

As far as we’re aware, everything works and does what it’s supposed to do without recalcitrance or dissent.

We have started and driven the car and can report that it does the former promptly and reliably, and the latter with plenty of poise, capability, competence and confidence-inspiring aplomb.

Needless to say, the engine bay looks dry, clean, orderly and entirely what you’d hope and want to find under the bonnet.

The undersides appear to be every bit as good as the rest of it.

This car comes with a UK V5C and a thick file of history detailing money spent and work done while under the curation of its various American, Canadian and British owners.

There’s also a traceable trail of provenance, complemented and augmented by photographic records of the 1997 restoration, a Jaguar Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate, various parts catalogues, and a miscellany of letters, manuals, listings and other bit and pieces.

It all paints a convincing picture of a car that’s been well looked-after throughout its long and no doubt fascinating life.

In 1947, provincial doctors with leather Gladstone bags, tweed jackets, grey flannels and briar pipes drove Rovers.

Men with dark suits and serious expressions from The Ministry of Something Awfully Secret or Jolly Important were to be found behind the wheel of a Humber.

Jaguars, on the other hand, were always the marque of choice for rather more dashing, devil-may-care types: fellows who used Bryclreem, favoured a silk cravat and knew how to sweep a lady off her feet using just boyish charm and a roguish grin.

This car’s exceptional condition and period charm take us back to that era like time’s arrow.

It’s a fine car and is sure to reward its next owner with many years of high-class, pedigree motoring pleasure.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £30,000 - £35,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.