AutoArcheologist
AutoArcheologist
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • DISCOVERIES
  • SELL YOUR CAR
  • Blog-subscribe
  • LINKS
  • Contact Me
  • SOLD
  • Stories
  • 1980 MG-B Roadster
  • More
    • Home
    • ABOUT
    • DISCOVERIES
    • SELL YOUR CAR
    • Blog-subscribe
    • LINKS
    • Contact Me
    • SOLD
    • Stories
    • 1980 MG-B Roadster

  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • DISCOVERIES
  • SELL YOUR CAR
  • Blog-subscribe
  • LINKS
  • Contact Me
  • SOLD
  • Stories
  • 1980 MG-B Roadster

1950 Jaguar MKV Drophead coupe

 

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, to schedule a time to see her or to make an offer, please don't hesitate to contact me.

contact me

1950 Jaguar MK V Drophead Coupe

Show More
Show More
Show More
  • Home
  • ABOUT
  • DISCOVERIES
  • SELL YOUR CAR
  • Blog-subscribe
  • LINKS
  • Disclaimer

AutoArcheologist - Dave@AutoArcheologist.com

Middletown, CT

8603981732

Copyright © 2025 Auto Archeologist - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by