This is the one. This is the MKVII that you’ve been looking for.

Being an M, it had all the goodies on it, 180 BHP engine with a close ratio gearbox, overdrive, high-lift cams and updated front end.

Built on the 4th of July 1955, this glorious ‘M’ was finished in Black over Red and supplied via Henleys, London to its first owner, the Minster Insurance Co Ltd for use by their Managing Director Mr Alan Goldsmith. Upon leaving the company in 1966, Goldsmith purchased the Jaguar and retained it until 1980, hardly using during this period.

The third owner, Mr John Gibbons, noted the mileage of 26, 000 when he bought it, which suggests the current mileage of 27, 500 to be correct. Gibbons was going to recommission the car, but his motorbike collection always took priority, and it languished in storage until 2001 it featured in a ‘Lost and Found’ section of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars.

The current owner bought it in 2010, and set about a sympathetic restoration. The chassis and body were so good that there was no need to separate them (only one sill had to be replaced), so it was painted with all the chrome re-chromed. The engine was rebuilt with bigger valves and uprated camshafts. The overdrive gearbox was rebuilt, as was the rear axle. A new wiring loom, along with a long list of other work, was completed. The original leather seats were left, as was the original headlining, with the carpets being replaced.

A complete, Jaguar maintenance schedule recommended 10,000 mile service was completed along with a refresh of the running gear by William Heynes Ltd in February 2022, as well as fitting a new set of Avon Turbospeeds.

All in all, this is a really very good example of the MKVIIM, combining the prefect balance of originality and sympathetic restoration. In our opinion it’s finished in the ultimate colour combination for a MkVII. It’s exceptionally hard to find them in this condition, with this history, in Right Hand Drive. Don’t miss it.

So, in short:

- Only 27, 500 miles showing on the odometer
- Only four owners from new
- Original red leather seats
- An original Home Market, matching numbers ‘M’ in the best colours
- Recent mechanical refresh and Jaguar specified 10,000 mile service by William Heynes at a cost of £8,500