1947 Jaguar 3½-Litre Saloon Project
Chassis no. B8604
Engine no. 6820
• Effectively three owners from new
•Present family ownership for circa 50 years
•Off the road since the late 1970s
•Requires full restoration
Footnotes:
Like the majority of Britain's motor manufacturers, Jaguar Cars, as William Lyons' SS concern had been renamed in 1945, commenced post-war production with a range of pre-war designs. Essentially stopgap models pending the arrival of an entirely new generation of Jaguars, these comprised the compact 1½-Litre and the larger 2½/3½-Litre model. The latter was retrospectively known as the Mark IV after the Mark V's introduction in 1948, although this was never a factory designation. Built on a generous 120' wheelbase, the Mark IV retained a separate chassis featuring beam front and live rear axle suspension, semi-elliptic springing and Girling mechanical brakes. The stylish all-steel coachwork was available in saloon or drophead coupé forms and featured the kind of luxurious and well-appointed interior that would become a Jaguar hallmark. Used by SS Cars since 1934, the engine was Standard's rugged seven-bearing six fitted with a Weslake overhead-valve cylinder head and coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. Standard boss Sir John Black had indicated that the larger engines would no longer be available once peace returned, so Lyons bought the tooling and brought their production in house, relying on Standard only for the 1½-litre unit. In 3½-litre form the Jaguar six produced 125bhp, an output good enough to propel the sturdily built Mark IV to over 90mph.

The current vendor inherited this Jaguar 3-½ Litre around 11 years ago from his father, who had purchased it from the second owner. The latter had bought the car from the original owner, a doctor, in Dublin circa 1970. Restoration was commenced towards the end of the 1970s but stalled, and the car has remained in dry storage since around 1980. The vendor advises us that the Jaguar requires full restoration, although the chassis, steering and brakes are all said to be in very good working order. A potentially most rewarding project, the car is offered without documents and sold strictly as viewed.

Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £350 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. 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.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * N
* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N MOTORCYCLES
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

CARS
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.