1950 Jaguar MK V Drophead Coupe
Built in the UK on June 29 1950, she was shipped over to the US shortly thereafter in July of 1950 and retailed through Max Hoffman's iconic dealership in NYC.
The first owner remains unknown, however, records do show that 7 years later it was registered to a Mr. Ryan in Portsmouth, NH (might he have been the first owner?). He enjoyed the car for roughly a year or so before he enlisted in the Army and parked the car in his garage with about 43,000 miles on her. According to the third owner, a Mr. Switter from southwest CT, this is how he came across her, having set in the Ryan garage for some 39 years. Switter began the rehabilitation process in the early 90's by having Nizen Machine out of New Haven CT complete a full rebuild on the engine, he also pulled the car apart in preparation for the restoration. Things stalled out for him though as well and the car sat in pieces in his garage for another 10-15 years when the current owner came upon her and swept her off to his garage in 2011.
The restoration began again, this time in earnest. The body was stripped and metal work was performed where necessary, the frame was stripped and powder coated, every bit on this car was touched and either replaced or completely refurbished; this includes down to the detail of hand dipping all the SAE nuts and bolts in red dye and the Whitworth nuts/bolts in grey. She is fully numbers matching.
Where the restoration veered away from original/stock was in the paint and interior. Although she came from the factory in England in a somber shade of Gunmetal Grey, over a grey interior with a French Grey hood (convertible top), the decision to bring things up a notch (or two) was made when the pearlescent, deep ruby red paint was chosen to coat the body and tuxedo black on the fenders, BAS out of Washington handled the interior and soft top duties in tan.
Vredestein Sprint Classic radials in 185HR16 size were mounted on the black wheels and she was ready to hit the road.
As mentioned previously, everything on this car came apart and was replaced or rebuilt, over $75,000 in parts receipts are in a folder with the car. The father and son duo did a lion's share of the restoration themselves.
There are 51,000 miles on her now, with the current owner driving her to shows and Jaguar Club events throughout New England, amassing close to 8000 miles on her since the resto was completed in 2014.
As one could easily imagine, this car has won several awards and was judged by Jaguar Clubs of North America certified judges and given a score of 97.46 in the Champion class, with 1.8 entire points coming off for "non-authentic paint" and "radial tires". That says loads for the quality of this build, as on overall quality, fit, finish and cleanliness she would have scored a 99.26.
There isn't much else to say. She runs and drives probably better than new, everything electrical works as it should, wipers, lights, horn, gauges. ( A complete, new wiring harness was installed) Her oil pressure is great, doesn't run hot and charges up where she should.
The hood folds easily. All the tools are correct and fill the tool kit slots in the boot compartment.
If pressed to find fault, there may be four small chips in total on this car, all of them along the two door edges.
The asking rice on her is $115,000
Any questions, for many more photos and video, to schedule a time to see her or to make an offer, please don't hesitate to contact me.
