Jaguar Mk I

Launched in 1955, the 'Mk1' (as it would be known after the Mk2's arrival) extended Jaguar's domination of the high-performance car market in Britain, slotting neatly into the Coventry firm's range alongside the big MkVIIM saloon and the XK140 sports car. The medium size newcomer broke new ground for Jaguar, being its first model to employ unitary construction of the chassis/body. Jaguar's engineers were understandably cautious in their approach, making the bodyshell stronger than it actually needed to be and employing rubber mountings just about everywhere to insulate occupants from vibration and noise.
This right-hand drive Jaguar Mk1 saloon was sold new in the UK to a Mr James Robertson, a member of the Diplomatic Service, and accompanied him to Mauritius aboard the SS Dunnottar Castle (paperwork within history file including Mr Robertsons driving licence!) When Mr Robertson returned to this country in January 1960 the Jaguar came with him and was registered '2894 CR', its current number. The car remained in Mr Robertson's possession until at least 1970 when it was sold to the second owner, one Margaret Burnham Davis of Blandford Forum.
In March 1994 '2894 CR' was acquired by the third owner, Richard John Davis of Grange-over-Sands, who spent around £16,000 on an engine rebuild, replacing the inner and outer sills, refreshing consumables and fitting a stainless steel exhaust. Service records on file show that between November 1963 and June 1970 the recorded mileage rose from 30,369 to 45,885 miles, while accompanying expired MoTs indicate that between May 1994 and January 2010 the total increased from 50,350 to 54,371 miles. Mr Davis sold the car in February 2010 to the fourth owner, Mr Julian Colclough.
'2894 CR' is finished in its factory colour scheme of black and retains its original and beautifully patinated red leather interior. Arguably one of the most original Jaguar Mk1s surviving, the car is very well presented and comes with its original bill of sale from Jaguar, its original buff logbook and service booklets, the aforementioned service records,MoTs, tax discs, sundry restoration invoices, Swansea V5C document and MoT to March 2012. The history is a joy to peruse and the car would surely take pride of place in any collection.