1951 Jaguar MkV Drophead – Classified of the Week

Think of a classic car and you’ll almost certainly land on something that doesn’t have a roof. An MGB Roadster, a Healey – big or small, an E Type, the list goes on and on. Wind in the hair motoring goes with classics like butter with a crumpet. It’s just… better. Don’t get us wrong, we love the cars with permanent lids, but when the sun is out, we would always choose to be in a convertible. The only problem is how to stand out from this most regularly seen type of classic. MGB Roadsters seem to be more popular now than they were when new. E Types? Everyone’s got one of them. Triumph Stag? There were 97 of those at last week’s classic car meet. To stand out, you have to think outside of the box. You have to think about something like this glorious 1951 Jaguar MkV 3.5 litre drophead coupe. Yes. Please.

The MkV Jaguar landed in 1948. Unfortunately for the MkV though, the car it shared the stand with at the London Motor Show was the XK120, which drew most of the crowd. A shame, as the MkV was and still is a glorious machine, and one that is beautiful to gaze upon. But against an XK120, well, that’s a tough act to go on stage with. The MkV did well though, and Jaguar built and sold over 10,000 during the car’s three-year production run. Of those, it was the drophead version that really won hearts.

A big, comfortable cruiser, the drophead MkV could be ordered with a 2.5 litre engine, or the far superior 3.5 litre. That’s what this car has, and it is all the better for it. It’s no Le Mans botherer, but it’s got enough shove to whisk the drophead and its four very comfortable occupants up to 90mph. It was a soft, smooth, relaxing affair on the road. One from which the passengers could enjoy the crisp air wooshing by, all while being surrounded by leather and hand finished wood veneer.

And that all rings true today. The 1951 Jaguar you’re looking at here has been restored to an exquisite standard and now presents as one of the finest of its kind. Interestingly, this car is one of eight that were exported to New Zealand, where it lived until recently. The car did fall out of regular use, and was discovered in a barn in 1994. It was a new owner who set about a no expense spared restoration by well-known New Zealand Jaguar specialist Steve Roberts of Wanganui. Steve and his team stripped the car back, removed the engine and interior and then set about repairing and rebuilding the car to show-ready specification.

Having been here on home soil for a number of years now, the big cat is once again looking for a loving new owner. In tip top condition, and complete with a full and detailed history file including photos of the extensive restoration, this car stands today as a glowing example of just how good a restored Jaguar can be. Plus, this Jaguar comes with enviable levels of exclusivity, which will serve to ensure that your topless motoring adventures truly are unique.