c1954 Jaguar MK VII 3.4 Saloon

Description

The quintessential fifties British saloon car, Jaguar's Mark VII was launched at the 1950 Earls Court Motor Show, replacing the decidedly pre-war Mark V. Utilising the powerful twin-overhead camshaft 3.4-litre engine from the XK120 in a massively strong box-section chassis frame, with vacuum boosted drum brakes and a four-speed manual gearbox (with the option of a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission designed to appeal to the American market), the Mark VII was a sophisticated sports saloon. The Mark VII's elegant styling was matched by a luxurious interior full of delightful features, including a tool case concealed in the front door. Although a big car by European standards, the Mark VII was no slouch and proved an able competitor both on the track in saloon car racing and in long distance rallies. Indeed, Jaguar offered a number of options for drivers seeking additional performance, including special pistons with a 9:1 compression ratio, a C-type cylinder head and 2-inch SU carburettors, along with close-ratio gears, stiffer shocks and springs and quick ratio steering box. Contemporary road tests recorded a maximum speed of a little over 100 mph in standard guise and the big Jaguar was capable of cruising comfortably at 80 mph. The press loved the Mark VII, with The Autocar concluding their road test by saying ?The Jaguar represents, above all, remarkable value for money. It has a high performance, but goes about its work with an equally high degree of mechanical refinement. The standard of finish and range of equipment place it firmly in the luxury class, despite at a moderate cost price?. Overdrive became an option from January 1954 and the original model was updated to become the Mark VIIM in October 1954, with revised bumpers, Lucas headlamps and various changes under the skin. Proving a massive sales success, the big Jaguar continued in production with only detail changes, as the Mark VIII of 1956 and the Mark IX of 1958, until the all-new Mark X arrived in 1961. Today, the Mark VII is a graceful reminder of an altogether more stylish era of motoring and an eminently practical, not to mention affordable, classic Jaguar saloon. No Jaguar better sums up the company's slogan ?Grace, Space and Pace.?