Modern Classic: 1953 Jaguar Mark VII

Inside, leather seats, a handsome burled walnut fascia and five ashtrays coddled passengers. American buyers lauded the Mark VII as more attractive and reliable than its predecessor, but the lack of an automatic transmission and air conditioning initially limited the car's appeal here. A Borg-Warner four-speed automatic was added in 1953. Standard transmission cars received a Laycock de Normanville overdrive that year. Stick shift models were fitted with front bucket seats; the automatics had bench seats.


All Mark VII's came equipped with a "sunshine roof." Two models were offered: Standard and the Deluxe, whose specification included a radio and a heater. Although the sedan weighed about 700 pounds more than the XK 120, it was capable of a 101-mph top speed (a first for Jaguar sedans). Zero to sixty was 13.4 seconds, about double that of the 1951 Le Mans-winning C-Type roadster. Overseas, rugged and durable Mark VII's competed well. Stirling Moss won four Silverstone touring events; works sedans captured the 1955 Monte Carlo Team Prize and won the Monte outright in 1956.


In late 1954, the Mark VIIM offered the 190-bhp XK 140 engine. Many tuning upgrades were available including close-ratio steering. Even stock, Road & Track loved it: "We will say flatly," a 1955 tester wrote, "that no American car can keep up with the Mark VII over a crooked road." They withheld comment on the 27 grease nipples. Of course, Jag owners in the U.S. were unlikely to own their own grease pits.


Some 30,200 Mark VII examples were sold by mid-1957. That's when the Mark VIII appeared with its single-pane windscreen, garish two-tone paint and 210 bhp. Interested in one of these imitation Bentleys? We recommend you stick with Mark VIIs, but standard advice for early postwar British collectables applies: check religiously for rust and rot; beware of ancient Lucas electrics; the veneered walnut is replaceable but it's very costly. The Mark VII's manual gearbox is bulletproof if a bit noisy, while XK engine bits are still plentiful. Today's prices for a 1951-'55 Mark VII range between $8,500 to $13,500. A well-tuned Mark VII remains an elegant way to cover a longish distance.

Resources
CPI, Cars of Particular Interest Collectible Vehicle Value Guide, www.cpivalueguide.com