The car was purchased in Madeira and has been in the family for around 40 years. Between 1999 and 2003, the Jaguar was rebuilt.
The Mark VII M was launched at the British International Motor Show in October 1954. Although the engine retained the same capacity and a 8:1 compression ratio, the introduction of new high-lift camshafts increased the power output to 190 bhp (141.7 kW), giving the car a claimed top speed of 167 km/h. The four-speed manual gearbox remained standard but was now of constant mesh and equipped with closer ratios, while the Borg Warner automatic transmission, previously available only on exported Mark VII models, became optional for British buyers. Larger torsion bars were installed in the front suspension. Flashing indicators replaced the previous lights. 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 slightly further apart and mounted on the bumper. Both bumpers now wrap around the sides of the car even more. New large rear lights with integrated reflectors now include direction indicators. The new headlights were fitted with Le Mans-type diffuser lenses. The seats were now full and incorporated Dunlopillo cushioning. In 1956, with the onset of the Suez Crisis, Britain introduced fuel rationing ahead of schedule. Jaguar shifted its focus to its smaller sedans (the Mark I 2.4 was launched 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. The Jaguar Mark VII, without the M, is a luxury four-door car produced by Coventry Jaguar Cars from 1951 to 1956. Launched at the British International Motor Show in 1950 as the successor to the Jaguar Mark V, it was named Mark VII because the Bentley Mark VI was already on the market. A version of the Jaguar Mark V with an XK engine was designated as the Mark VI, but it is believed that only two were built. In its original 1950 form, the Mark VII could exceed 160 km/h, and by 1952, it became the first Jaguar to offer an optional automatic transmission. The Mark VII was successful in both racing and rallying. The Mark VII chassis was carried over from the Jaguar Mark V, and the wheelbase remained the same at 3,048 mm. The new model’s body appeared more aerodynamic, with integrated headlights and wings, a two-piece windscreen, and a longer rear overhang. As with the Mark V, the rear wheels were partially covered by removable spats. While the Mark V had a pre-war engine originally developed by the Standard Motor Company, Mark VII was powered by the newly developed XK engine. Seen for the first time in production form in the 1948 XK120, the 3.442cc DOHC, 6 cylinders in line, provided 160 horsepower (119,3Kw), the same as in the XK120, and the claimed top speed of the sedan was over 160km/h. While it was being developed, Jaguar thought that most of its customers would be overseas, primarily because the UK’s car tax at that time penalised buyers of larger-engine cars. However, it entered production just as Britain’s post-war economic austerity began to ease, and in 1951, the enthusiastic reception of the car in both British and American markets led Jaguar to move production to larger facilities at the Browns Lane factory, which had been built for wartime production as a shadow factory and was now available for immediate use. The published performance figures for the Mark VII were based on the standard 8:1 compression ratio, but as this was not suitable for the low-octane Pool petrol in the UK market, a 7:1 engine was optional. British car magazines tested the car’s performance with the highest compression ratio, using the Ostend to Brussels motorway in Belgium, where 80-octane fuel was available. A Mark VII tested by The Motor in 1952 had a top speed of 163km/h, accelerated from 0–97 km/h in 13.7 seconds, and 16.1 L/100 km. The test car cost £1,693 including taxes. In 1952, the Mark VII became the first Jaguar to be available with an automatic transmission. When the model was updated to the M specification in 1954, 20.908 units had been produced.
Datasheet Year: 1954 Brand: Jaguar Model: MK VII-M Country: England Number plate: MD-54-75 Engine: cc Gearbox: 4