1946 Jaguar Mk IV 2.5-Litre Saloon

The Mk IV was Jaguar’s first car following World War II and was produced between late 1945 and 1948. Built on a 120” separate chassis featuring beam front and live rear axle suspension on semi-elliptic springs and Girling mechanical brakes, it was offered with three engine variants; four-cylinder 1½-litre, or six-cylinder 2½/3½-litres coupled to a four-speed manual gearbox. The stylish, all-steel coachwork was available in four-door saloon or drophead coupé configurations with the kind of luxurious interior typically associated with Jaguar. In addition, it sported distinguishing chrome headlamps and a prominent chrome radiator grill. Very few of these magnificent Jaguars were built for the home market as steel was being rationed for goods for export.

This charming Jaguar Mk IV is recognised as the earliest surviving saloon made on the post-war Jaguar production line and carries the chassis number 510010 denoting that it was the 10th produced. Sir William Lyons famously stored SS engine blocks in the garage at Wappenbury Hall knowing that post-war production would be slow and the first seventeen cars carried the 'SS' casting on the engine blocks before the Jaguar logo was introduced into production. This is a matching-numbers car and widely regarding as the benchmark for all Mk IVs due to its distinctively original features unique to the first cars to roll off the line before full production and tooling got into full swing.

The 2.5-litre engine was fully rebuilt in 2018 by the renowned marque specialists Davenport Cars who have also ensured this significant saloon has remained on the button and a pleasure to drive. Few cars have the usability of this Mk IV and running on Blockley tyres would look the part at any event or in any collection. It comes with a complete tool tray and has benefitted from substantial investment over the last five years to keep it at this level.

Post-war motoring at its best and a significant part of Jaguar history.