I have a 1953/1954 Jaguar Mark VII Saloon - still working on having the vin verified. The body has little to no rust. It needs complete restoration i.e., new engine, interior, and a fresh coat of paint. Has 4 new but basic tires on it and is currently in storage. How much is this car worth in this condition and where would I even sell it? Thanks everyone for all your help.

Respectfully,
Ursula

 

The bad news is that the main issue is in finding someone that even wants the car. Very few buyers, since the cars are an enormous money pit. I bought my car during the Summer and the seller was going to scrap the car if he didn't find a buyer. (He had to clear the yard out due to an estate sale). I got the car for 900.00 and that would have included a parts car. Unfortunately, there is more value in parts since the motor and transmission and some other mechanical parts can be used on a XK120 restoration or replica build. Good Luck.

 

You noted it needed a new engine. Is the existing engine and transmission removed and the vehicle doesn't have one? If that's the case it's a parts car and not worth much, unless you find someone needing body parts.
Posting a few pictures might get a better response since we could see what you see.

 

Check on Hemmings, have seen good models go for $19K-$45K. Have seen listings in UK for $55K. Depends on car, records and quality of restoration and who does it. In any case, do not expect to make a profit on car after restoration. What you see at auctions will represent the after effect.

 

 

 

 

What exactly is going on here?

The photos are from June 2014. At the same time the vehicle was listed on ebay by vegastrader0404 starting at $200 and (apparently) sold for $2658.

Graham

 

 

I estimate the price of MK at $28,000, lots of first time blemishes and incorrect items. Good running car. New trafficators, etc. Has all the original receipts and documents from first owner buy and drive in England and France. Tax disc and papers for import to US. True 2 owner car.

 

 

It would appear from the auction results you should have a pretty good idea of what yours is worth selling "as is". Restored well that will make a big difference. It is doubtful they have become more wanted/valuable since then.

 

+1

There are few vehicles where subsequent value exceeds professional restoration cost. Early Jaguar saloons are never going to have investment potential unless they are both "matching numbers" specification and have some historical connection or interest.

Presumably you were the ebay winning bidder? There were other bidders so that's the obvious first place to try. If you can get your money back then you will have learned a hard lesson without getting badly burned.

Graham

 

Hi, I bought a similar car for $500 a while back for parts, we have a 52 I am refurbishing. You'll note I didn't say restore, just trying to make a nice driver. An interior restoration alone with correct leather, etc. could be $10K. Unfortunately MK VII's are unbelievable plentiful for minimal $. See Ragtops & Roadsters - Premium Restorations, I saw this car at Das Awkfest and as best I can recall he paid something in the $4000 range for it. You have to want/love this car to embark on a project like this. Also see INTERNATIONAL Mk VII/VIIM/VIII/IX REGISTER, there are a bunch in Eastern PA alone.

 

Once these cars are on your radar, you'll see them turning up everywhere! They were once the best selling luxury import in the U.S. Much more common than the contemporary big Benz. Refurbishing, not restoring is the key. I just started cleaning up the interior of my car, preserving what I can.

There are lots of Marks available for sale without their motors and transmissions. I imagine that were were pulled out to keep an ailing XK 120 and 140 on the road.

 

Now on local Craigslist, https://allentown.craigslist.org/cto...524496231.html, if there are multiple buyers, I call second!

 

28,000 bucks! I thought it was 2,800 dollars at first. I wonder where the buyer came up with that number.