2023-12-13 21:56:05 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.hemmings.com/auction/1953-jaguar-mk-vii-healdsburg-ca-173327

Seller's description:

Current Bid $14,000, Reserve not met

End Date Thursday, Dec 14th

Vehicle Location Healdsburg, California 95448

VIN 735434BW

Odometer 85,499

Engine 3.4-liter DOHC inline-six

Transmission Automatic

Exterior Color Black

Interior Red leather

Seller Private

The seller of this 1953 Jaguar Mark VII Sedan is helping the owner to get the vehicle listed online, with her approval. The seller describes the Jaguar as “an older cosmetic restoration that may have been done more than 20 years ago; a very nice car all over, with no known issues.” He notes that the Mk VII has been stored and maintained inside for more than 15 years and is seldom used by the owner, except when driving visiting friends in the Napa Valley Wine Country.

POWERTRAIN

The engine is stated to be original, with no known history of rebuilds. Cold starts are said to require “holding the cold-start button for a few seconds, then cranking.” The automatic transmission has been upgraded to a GM Turbo Hydra-Matic 700-R4, with a 30 percent overdrive fourth gear, that the seller writes “is a fantastic improvement.” Engine weeps can be seen “only after long sitting,” per the seller.

EXTERIOR

The seller describes the black exterior as “very good,” and comments that it “shows extremely well.” The trim appears complete and with a bright finish. All glass is reported as “very good, with no delamination and no leaks noticed when washed.” No known rust repairs have been made on “this solid Jaguar that was exported to the U.S. when new,” according to the seller. All lights are working.

INTERIOR

The red leather seats and door panels were “nicely reupholstered in the correct style and color” at the time of the restoration. The original walnut wood dash and trim are described as “very good,” as well as the carpet and headliner. All gauges are reported as working, although the gas gauge is said to “read a little high.” The manual windows, factory sunroof, heater, and interior lights are all reported to work properly.

CHASSIS

The steering is “very true and straight” in the seller’s words, with “no leaks and no oil on the floor where the Jaguar is stored.” The Mk VII’s chassis provides fully independent suspension front and rear and has been “completely inspected and lubricated about 200 miles ago.” The bushings and shocks are “all OK,” per the seller. The brakes were “rebuilt about 350 miles ago,” and “the car had a modern brake booster/master cylinder installed when the car was restored.” The dual fuel tanks have been connected for ease of operation.

No issues are identified with the 16-inch steel wheels or polished trim rings and center caps. The wide-whitewall tires are identified as “maybe five years old, but with less than 100 miles” according to the seller, although the DOT date codes could not be read in the photos provided.

DOCUMENTATION

The seller states that this vehicle will be sold on a clean California title in the owner’s name. The seller is assisting the owner of the vehicle, with her permission, to get the vehicle listed online. The seller also relates that “the family have asked me to sell this 1953 Jaguar Mk VII Sedan for them. They have not been driving the car and I have stored it in my collection for several years, while the car has been driven less than 400 miles in the last 10 years.”