2025-12-21 18:17:02 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 12/25

www.manorparkclassics.com/auction/lot/259-1947-jaguar-mk-iv-35-litre-saloon/

Auction description:

The December 2025 Car Auction, 6th Dec, 2025

1947 Jaguar MK IV 3.5 Litre Saloon

In excess of £50,000 spent

Sold for £30,000

Registration: PXS 438

Chassis: 610839

Odometer: 00061

MOT: Exempt

Original right-hand drive repatriated to the UK

In excess of £50,000 spent

‘Best of Show’ and ‘People’s Choice’ awards at a local Isle of Wight car show

A 2021 Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate on file

Built on 23rd January 1947, chassis 610839 was distributed by Henly’s, London on 4th February 1947 and registered as ‘HXV 676’ prior to being shipped to the USA, possibly, very shortly after. It’s rare to find surviving right-hand drive examples, especially those that were sent to and have subsequently returned to the UK (c. June 1987). Many of these right-hand drive MkIVs were exported due to their all-steel chassis, primarily the 3 ½ litre forms.

This example spectacularly showcases every bit of luxury and elegance that Jaguar were known for. As mentioned, originally exported to the USA, this vehicle had around $60,000 dollars spent on it by the previous owner. However, when it was repatriated to its UK owner, it appears this example didn’t quite meet the standards expected of it, so it was subjected to a further £50,000 of expenditure to get it to the magnificent car it is today. Chassis 610839 received the registration mark ‘PXS 438’ upon re-entry into the UK.

The bodywork was stripped down to bare metal, etch primed and then painted before the interior was re-trimmed, instruments overhauled, serviced or replaced. The woodwork has been re-varnished, most of the chromework has been re-dipped, the engine and gearbox have been overhauled / rebuilt by Davenports of Sandy in Bedfordshire. The brakes have also been replaced with new shoes etc. fitted.

The Jaguar presents itself very well both inside and out, with the paintwork and chrome sparkling and looking excellent. The inside is just as good as the outside, with all the headlining and leather seats looking very good, as well as the dash. The excellent presentation doesn’t stop there, under the bonnet also presents very well indeed. This Jaguar comes to life with a deep roar that sounds glorious to the ears, and it runs and drives very well.

There is an impressive quantity of invoices, notebooks and statements of work carried out during the period of American ownership, representing some $60,000 dollars of investment in the MkIV’s upkeep. There is file of restoration photographs accompanying it. Once in the UK, a further £50,000 was spent and there is a folder of invoices for the work carried out. The odometer reads ‘00061’ and has either ‘gone around’, been replaced or re-set at the time of restoration work. The MkIV is being offered with a complete tool kit, with many previously missing items having been replaced. On 10th August 2025, the Jaguar attended an event at Sandown on the Isle of Wight, where it went on to win a ‘concours’ trophy for ‘Best of the Show’ and a ‘People’s Choice’ rosette.

Just like the work carried out, the history folder is extensive and makes for a great record of the car’s history in recent decades. There is a quantity of literature that includes various magazines and workshop manuals; a Jaguar Heritage Certificate, and many folders of invoices and descriptions of work that has been carried out, along with the current V5C registration document.

With money lavished upon it in order to be a much-loved and preserved MkIV to be driven and enjoyed by the vendor, who's family owned one of these when he was child, this was a car that was bought to bring a sense of nostalgia and a chance to re-live memories. However, due to personal circumstances, the vendor is now sadly unable to drive the MkIV and therefore the Jaguar needs someone who can cherish and use it as it was intended to be, hopefully creating some great memories of this beloved and cherished classic. The vendor says, “To whoever ends up purchasing this car, I sincerely hope it brings you hours of fun, please look after it”.