1947 Jaguar Mark IV 3½ Litre Drophead Coupe

Description

The Jaguar Mark IV, produced from 1945 to 1949, represents a pivotal moment in Jaguar’s history, marking the transition from pre-war models to the post-war era. Initially marketed as the Jaguar 1½ litre, 2½ litre, and 3½ litre, these vehicles were retroactively named the Mark IV to differentiate them from the later Mark V range. The Mark IV models were a revival of the SS Jaguar range that had been built by SS Cars Ltd. from 1936 to 1940. Following World War II, the company rebranded as Jaguar Cars Ltd., signaling a new chapter in its automotive legacy. 

The Mark IV series featured a separate chassis frame and utilized semi-elliptic leaf springs for suspension on both the front and rear rigid axles. The 3½ litre model, introduced in 1938 and continued in the post-war Mark IV lineup, was equipped with a 125 horsepower engine that offered improved performance over the 2½ litre model but at the cost of fuel economy. The rear axle ratio of 4.25:1 in the 3½ litre variant, compared to the 4.5:1 ratio in the 2½ litre, further enhanced its driving dynamics. This model helped bridge Jaguar’s pre-war heritage with its post-war evolution, setting the stage for future innovations. 

Highlights 

• Finished in silver with red pin striping 

• Black vinyl interior with a matching black canvas folding convertible top 

• Powered by the 125 horsepower 3 ½-liter inline six 

• Four-speed manual transmission 

• Chrome 18 inch wire wheels with two-eared Jaguar knock-off spinners 

• Reported long term ownership from 1981 through 2017 in Santa Barbara, California 

• Delivered new in right-hand drive imported through Hoffman Motors famous New York dealership 

Features 

• Floor mounted gear selector 

• 120 mph speedometer 

• Tachometer with an integrated clock 

• Oak dashboard 

• Semi-elliptic leaf springs on solid axles, front and rear 

• Fog lights 

• Fender mounted side view mirrors 

• Mesh headlight stone guards 

• Chrome bumpers 

• Bumper over riders 

• Twin enclosed gloveboxes 

• Manual roll-up side windows 

• Front bucket seats 

• Leather wrapped shift knob 

Known Imperfections 

• Chips, cracks, and other imperfections to the paintwork 

• The owner states that there is a bracket under the driver's seat that needs to be replaced 

Included 

• Partial tool kit 

• Workshop manual 

• Car cover 

Ownership History 

The current owner of this 1947 Jaguar Mark IV 3½ litre Drophead Coupe reports purchasing the car in Santa Barbara, California in 2020.