1948 Jaguar Mk IV

This 1948 Jaguar Mark IV is a left-hand-drive Drophead Coupé that was completed on May 21, 1948, before being distributed new in June 1948 in the United States via the Hoffman Motor Car Company of New York. The car spent more than 30 years out of use prior to being purchased in 1989 by the seller, who moved it from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Syracuse, New York, and subsequently initiated a 13-year refurbishment that was completed about 15 years ago. Work during the project included repainting the car black, retrimming the interior in red leather, installing a replacement beige three-position convertible top, and overhauling the 3.5-liter OHV inline-six. Additional features include twin SU carburetors, a four-speed manual transmission, mechanically actuated four-wheel drum brakes, 18” painted wire wheels, whitewall tires, and front fog lamps. This Mark IV is now offered with a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate, manufacturer’s literature, a partial tool kit, and transferable New York registration in the seller’s name. The 3.5-liter model was initially produced by SS Cars between 1938 and 1940 before being reintroduced after the company’s name change to Jaguar as part of the Mark IV range. This example’s drophead coupe bodywork is said to have received repairs to the rocker panels prior to a repaint in black during the refurbishment that was conducted under current ownership. Additional work reportedly included rechroming the grille and brightwork, replacement of the weatherstripping and welting, and the fabrication of a beige three-position convertible top. Features include rear-hinged doors, a tilt-out windshield, Lucas tri-bar headlights, bumper-mounted fog lamps, fender-mounted side mirrors, a “leaper” hood ornament, and trafficators. Silver-painted 18” wire wheels are secured by two-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in 5.25/5.50 Lester whitewall tires, while a spare is secured in the rear compartment under the trunk. Stopping is handled by mechanically actuated drum brakes that are said to have been refreshed during the refurbishment. The cabin was retrimmed and features red Connolly leather over front buckets seats and a rear bench, with matching upholstery over the door panels and rear side panels. The wood dash and the door panels are said to have been refinished during the project, while replacement wood floor sections were fitted under red Wilton wool carpeting. Additional features include roll-up windows, red lap belts, dual gloveboxes, dual dash-mounted ashtrays, and a fold-down rear armrest. The four-spoke steering wheel is situated on the left-hand side ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a reverse-sweep 5k-rpm tachometer, a 120-mph speedometer, and ancillary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 84k miles, approximately 2k of which have been added under current ownership. The seller notes that the fuel gauge reads inversely from the amount of fuel in the tank. The 3.5-liter inline-six features seven main bearings, overhead valves, and twin SU carburetors and was factory rated at 125 horsepower. The engine is said to have been overhauled during the refurbishment with a replacement block along with replacement pistons, steel connecting rods, bearings, and bushings. The wiring harness also reportedly was replaced during the project and the cylinder head was resurfaced, while the carburetors, starter, generator, water pump, and fuel pumps were rebuilt and the fuel tank was repaired. A tune-up and an oil change were performed two years ago. The four-speed manual transmission features synchromesh on its top three gears and is also said to have been overhauled during the refurbishment. The flywheel was resurfaced, while the clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing were replaced. Additional work included resealing the rear end, replacing the U-joints and the exhaust system, and sandblasting, priming, and refinishing the frame. The suspension was also refreshed and incorporates solid axles, semi-elliptical leaf springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers at the front and rear. The removed engine block is included in the sale, and its stamp of number SL 3173 is shown in the photo gallery below. The Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate lists the original colors and equipment numbers as well as delivery via Hoffman in New York. A summary of the refurbishment work provided by the seller can be viewed in the gallery below. The car does not have a title, as it is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is being sold on its transferable New York registration document.