1951 Jaguar MKV DHC

The vendor has owned this stunning car since 2014, when he bought it from respected specialist Camberley Marine & Sports Cars Ltd of Cove Rd, Fleet Hampshire. “I purchased the car for my Jaguar collection, which did not have an MKV,” he explains. “And I can only describe the condition of it as exceptional both mechanically and bodily.”

During his ownership, the majestic big cat has only been driven on dry roads, with the car receiving regular exercise and the highest levels of maintenance. “It has only required a small amount of work while it has been in my collection and there are invoices for this in the car’s history file.”

“I have enjoyed driving Jaguar motor cars for over 65 years but unfortunately age has now caught up with me and my wonderful collection of Jaguars will have to go.”

Sadly, it is the end of an era for Harry, but an exciting opportunity for someone else to become custodian of this exacting example of Jaguar’s MKV Drophead Coupe. He bought the car already in its restored concours condition and states, “the restorer’s attention to detail simply has to be seen to be appreciated.”

It's that good.

“Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Jaguar MKV…” should have gone Janis Joplin’s song, because when you catch sight of this example you can see exactly why. Its swoopy, elegant two-tone bodywork is an absolute vision to behold – we can see exactly why it shod its original Black colour scheme during restoration.

Be in no doubt that this is a potential show winner. Although it’s an older restoration, it remains in exceptional condition; panel gaps are superb, there’s no play in those doors and the paintwork remains absolutely tip top. The cream and brown coachwork serves to accentuate the MKV’s lines, making a statement of both those sweeping wings and rear wheel spats.

Brightwork, and there’s a fair bit of it, is without blemish. The wheels all remain in excellent condition and the tyres have plenty of tread left remaining – although, depending on age stamps it may be worth investing in some fresh rubber.

The hood is very high quality and remains in immaculate condition; its tan disposition really suits the exterior colours, and unlike many a drophead the car looks as good with it up as it does with it lowered. It folds and stows impeccably.

As a visual package it provides impact with a capital ‘I’.

If the exterior is superlative, then I am struggling for an adjective to do justice to the interior. Okay, how about exceptional? Or extraordinary? Or exemplary? I could continue for ever and a day…

“The interior was described by a professional restorer as having the best hide available,” says Harry. “The hood and lining have also been done to a very high standard.”

He is not kidding, either. Just look at our Photo Gallery and video, both below, to get an idea of the standard of finish. The rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors open to reveal a sumptuous feast of tan leather, biscuit-coloured carpets, and lovely wood veneers.

Raising the hood provides a very intimate internal environment and allows you to gauge its excellent condition. The boot is finished to the same high-standard and you will find an almost complete tool kit in its padded lid compartment.

This car’s cabin is a true feast for the senses in every single way.

“The Jaguar drives very well, and the Moss gearbox is very good,” says Harry. We have had it out for a spin ourselves and can confirm that it drives majestically, with smooth six-cylinder power and lovely overall driving disposition.

“It’s had the addition of flashing indicators, but the original ‘trafficator’ indicators have been retained in working order. The underside of the car is finished to the same high standard as the rest of the car.”

It is worth taking your time to pop your head under this MKV, or at the very least (and easier on the knees) look at the photographs in our gallery, below, as it reveals a lovely, straight and clean undercarriage. As an older restoration it is worth noting that there are one or two small areas of flaking paint on the underside of the bodywork, so it would be an opportune time to have this wire brushed and re-painted to ensure that it remains in first class condition for the decades to come.

Up top, as you would expect, popping the bonnet panels reveals an engine bay in tip-top, show-winning fettle – lovely.

You’ll find a few photographs of the car in the History File, as well as an all-important Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate. This confirms the car’s date of manufacture as 22nd February 1951 and date of despatch as 22nd of March 1951. It also shows that it’s an original RHD vehicle and that when new body colour was Black and the first dealer, the Shell Petroleum Company.

You’ll also find several Jaguar Mark V period road tests, a Jaguar Operating and Maintenance Handbook for 2½ and 3½ Litre Mark V Models and a copy of the Jaguar Driver magazine.

In addition, the invoices for works carried out during Harry’s stewardship are present, as are a several expired MOT test certificates, tax discs and the V5c document.

An RAC Vehicle History Check (dated 5th May 2022) is also included, as is a tin of Cellulose paint, which is date stamped 12 April 2022.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been both restored and maintained to the highest of standards.

This is an exceptional, showroom standard example of Jaguar’s lovely MKV Drophead Coupe and as such, it’s ready to slot straight into any of the best Jaguar collections currently in existence. That said, it could quite as easily go to a single-car classic owner and provide them with a majestic showstopper, both on the road and the concours lawn.

Given its incredible overall condition and first-rate driving experience, we think this lovely MKV survivor will sell for somewhere between £50,000 and £70,000. For that, the next owner can be assured they’re getting quite possibly the, if not one of the finest surviving examples out there.

Jaguar produced just 1001 MKVs in 2½ and 3½ Litre Drophead forms, compared to 9465 saloon car versions, which makes this is an exceedingly lovely example of a very rare beast.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.