This car came new to Madeira for William Leacock, an English businessman who lived in the island. It subsequently had several owners. Gonçalo Cafôfo's daughter's grandfather began restoring it around 20 years ago. Meanwhile, Gonçalo Cafôfo acquired it about 5 years ago, 3 of which he spent restoring it. The Jaguar Mark VII is a 4-door luxury car produced by Jaguar Cars of Coventry from 1951 to 1956. Launched at the 1950 British International Motor Show as a successor to the Jaguar Mark V, it was called the Mark VII because there was already a Bentley Mark VI on the market. An XK-powered version of the Jaguar Mark V was designated the Mark VI, but only two are believed to have been built. In its original 1950 version, the Mark VII could exceed 100 mph, and in 1952 it became the first Jaguar to be available with an optional automatic transmission. Mark VIIs were successful in racing and rallies. A Jaguar MK VII M won the Monte Carlo Rally in the category in 1955. The Mark VII M was launched at the British International Motor Show in October 1954. Although the engine continued with the same capacity and 8:1 compression ratio, the introduction of new high-lift controls increased the amount of power to 190 hp, giving the car a claimed top speed of 167 km/h. The four-speed manual gearbox remained standard but became constant mesh and fitted with closer ratios, whilst the Borg Warner automatic, previously only available on exported Mark VIIs, now became optional for British buyers. Larger torsion bars were installed in the front suspension. Flasher-type traffic indicators replaced traffic light arms. Distinguishing the Mark VII M from its predecessor, circular grilles over the horns were installed below the headlights in place of the former integrated auxiliary lamps, which were moved a little further apart and mounted in the bumper. Both bumpers now further wrap around the sides of the car. New large taillights with integrated reflectors now incorporate turn signals. The new headlights received Le Mans-style diffuser glass. The seats were now complete and incorporated Dunlopillo. In 1956, with the advent of the Suez Crisis, Britain brought forward fuel rationing, and bubble cars appeared on the streets. Jaguar shifted focus to its smaller sedans (the Mark I 2.4 was introduced in 1955), and neither the Mark VII M nor any of its increasingly powerful but fuel-hungry successors would reach the production volumes of the original Jaguar Mark VII. However, before being replaced by the Mark VIII, the Mark VII M achieved 10,061 sales during its two-year production run.
Datasheet Year: 1955 Brand: Jaguar Model: MK VII M Country: England Number plate: MD-28-20 Engine: 3.442 cc Gearbox: 4 manuals