Story and History

Lovely condition and driving very smoothly
Elegance personified

The Jaguar Mk V made its debut at the 1948 London Motor Show, unveiled alongside the now-legendary XK120. While the XK stole headlines, it was the Mk V that became Jaguar's true sales success, with its combination of elegance, refinement and advanced engineering. Beneath the handsome coachwork lay a new chassis design with double wishbones, torsion bar independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes, and an all-steel body — a significant leap forward from the pre-war SS Jaguars. In Drophead Coupé form, with its fully lined three-position hood, the Mk V remains one of the most stylish and practical grand tourers of its day.

This particular example, first registered on 9th February 1951, has been restored to a very good standard and has benefitted from fastidious ownership by an experienced and knowledgeable classic car enthusiast. Finished in Old English White, the bodywork retains a fine depth of shine, the paintwork polished and well-presented. Inside, the car is trimmed in unmarked red leather, offering a warm contrast to the exterior and complemented by deep burr walnut veneers, all in excellent order.

Powered by the robust 3½-litre straight-six engine, this Mk V runs extremely well and is mated to a manual gearbox with the benefit of overdrive — a later upgrade that transforms the car's long-distance usability, enhancing both smoothness and cruising capability on modern roads.

Supplied with a V5C registration document, the original buff logbook confirming its registration as NKM 645 from new, as well as a complete toolkit and workshop manual, this right-hand drive Drophead Coupé is accompanied by all the hallmarks of careful, detailed preservation.

Representing the very spirit of post-war Jaguar motoring, this Mk V is both rare and desirable — one of fewer than 1,000 Drophead Coupés built, and today a superbly usable and elegant classic from Jaguar's golden age. Viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate the quality and presence of this fine motorcar.