1955 JAGUAR

JAGUAR MK VII SALOON

£25,000

Mileage: 4,951 mi
Fuel: Petrol

Description

This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2026 on Saturday the 14th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Estimated price: GBP 25,000 - GBP 30,000.

"Yet the Mk VII was a car of towering abilities, at least as good in its own class as the XK 120 was in its own. The.... wishbone front suspension, and the long, low-stressed rear leaf springs, plus good weight distribution, produced handling qualities that were among the best in the world and quite astonishing for a car whose weight approached 4,000 lbs. Augmenting this was the power and torque of the 3.4-litre XK engine which was designed for it, and which could push the large saloon to over 100mph. This combination of qualities made for an unexpectedly competitive circuit racer and a front runner in international rallying." - Paul Skilleter, Jaguar - The Sporting Heritage.

Factory-entered Mark VIIs won the Daily Express International Trophy Production Touring Car race at Silverstone five years in a row (1952–1956), driven by racing legends like Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Ian Appleyard, Ivor Bueb, and Paul Frère.

A Mark VII M won the prestigious 1956 Monte Carlo Rally, crewed by Ronnie Adams, Frank Biggar, and Derek Johnstone. The big saloon proved surprisingly comfortable and fast over long distances, letting drivers maintain high speeds without exhausting themselves compared to smaller sports cars.

Al Goldsmith raced a Mark VII to victory in a 1956 NASCAR Grand National event.

Comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson has famously raced a rare lightweight magnesium-alloy-bodied Mark VII (registration KRW 621) at the Goodwood Revival, which was originally built by Jaguar's racing department to save 200kg.

The car presented here is a 1955 Jaguar Mk VII Saloon, built to Historic Endurance Rally Specification, in exceptional mechanical order and a proven endurance marathon competitor. Offered from nearly 20 years of single ownership, and rewarded during his custodianship with a 3rd Place Overall in the Classic Category on the gruelling 2008 ERA London to Casablanca Rally, traversing France, crossing into North Africa, and conquering the unpaved tracks and switchbacks of the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, the car has been used sparingly since.

Built without compromise to withstand the harshest desert tracks and mountain passes, the car features a host of high-level endurance upgrades:

Engine: Upgraded to a high-performance 3.8-litre Jaguar XK engine built by renowned specialists Sigma Engineering, offering substantial torque and reliability.

Transmission: Mated to a robust full-synchromesh Jaguar manual gearbox, ensuring crisp, precise, and effortless gear selection under competition conditions.

Braking & Steering: Fitted with heavy-duty four-pot Zeus front disc brake calipers for modern stopping power, coupled with EZ Electric Power Steering to significantly reduce driver fatigue on long-haul trips.

Fuel Capacity: Designed for long-distance marathon stages, the car is equipped with dual fuel tanks - each capable of carrying 20 gallons (40 gallons total capacity) - fed via twin external Monza-style filler caps.

Wheels & Storage: Riding on durable alloy wheels, the enormous boot easily accommodates two full-sized spare wheels while retaining substantial volume for tools, spares, and rally equipment.

Cabin & Interior Ergonomics: Designed specifically for long hours ‘in the saddle’, the interior balances vintage rally practicality with modern endurance comfort.

Seating & Safety: Upgraded with plush, Jaguar electrically adjustable front seats fitted with four-point competition safety harnesses.

Climate Control: Rare for a period rally machine, the car features fully integrated air conditioning, providing crucial driver and navigator comfort during hot-climate desert events.

Exterior: Features a functional louvered bonnet for optimal engine bay heat dissipation and high-intensity PIAA driving spotlights mounted up front.

The bodywork has benefited from a full respray post-Casablanca and has not been used in competition since, presenting in exceptionally fresh, tidy condition throughout. This venerable Mk VII represents a rare opportunity to acquire a legendary British sports saloon with documented international marathon provenance.

Transmission: Manual