| 1948 Jaguar Mark IV DHC~Babe Paley~
Still Available!
Designated a "Full Classic" by CCCA & featured in their definitive reference guide - “The Classic Car”, edited by Beverly Rae Kimes
Documented, Celebrity Provenance.
The 1st "Jaguar" (by name) created by Sir William Lyons who commented - "It doesn't cost anymore to make it pretty" ~ All Correct, #2-/#3++ Condition, winning 1st Place in every show entered. Of the 375 produced as left hand drive Mk IV’s, this is 1 of less than 60 known to remain. This magnificent specimen has an all-correct, 3 year, time-tested restoration presented in its stately Black w/ Camel interior. 100% rock solid, rust-free panels & chassis including excellent wood.
~ The original, documented owner was "Babe" Paley, recently portrayed as one of Truman Capote's "Swans" in the feature films - "Capote" & "Infamous". She was the wife of William S. Paley, President & founder of CBS who purchased the car from the then new & soon to be famous, Hofmann Motors in NYC. Babe was a fashion editor for VOGUE & was always on the "Best Dressed" lists, residing at the top of New York Society. She has been attributed w/ saying -"One can never be too rich or too thin". Babe, along w/ her many Who's Who friends, such as Truman Capote and her beautiful black Mark IV made memorable drives around the New York social circles ~
Member: Pennsylvania Antiques Appraisers’ Association
~We use & recommend Road Scholar Transport~
History of Babe's 1948 Jaguar Mark IV DHC
Sometime before her death in 1978, the Jaguar was left to Babe Paley’s secretary. As she could not drive a manual transmission, the Mark IV was shipped to her retirement farm in Iowa where it sat in the barn for 17 years. So talk about “Barn Finds”!
Later, the secretary’s nephew put the Jag up as security for a college loan & when unable to pay it back, the bank seized the Jag & attempted to auction it off to recoup their $9,200.00. This is where the present owner entered the scene. After learning of the Jag’s existence, he negotiated a deal w/ the young man & the bank, stopped the auction by wiring in the money & became its new owner. The story doesn’t end here however as a tale of a savvy collector snatching up a Barn Find. No, the new owner not only saved the beautiful Mark IV, but also gave the nephew the extra money needed for his college tuition!
Although it had less than 28,000 miles, & was completely intact w/ solid panels, chassis & excellent mechanics, it was in need of a total restoration to become the magnificent Jaguar it is today. This was accomplished by a painstaking ground up restoration that began around 1987 taking over 3 years w/ no expense spared using the finest, correct materials & workmanship.
The documented ownership is substantiated by a letter of ownership from Wm. Paley & is further supported by a 25 yr CBS employee who knew of the car & its history. Further proof of its heritage came through the help of Hempstead Auto Co., then a Jaguar service center in LI, NY, & a former client of the present owner.
CHASSIS No.637293 – LHD `48`s started w/ 637014
ENGINE No. SL3399 – SL is correct for LHD
BODY No. C 1357 – C is correct for DHC
GEARBOX No. SH2008
$ 115,000
Stock #: 179
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|
 |
| Year: |
1948 |
|
Mileage: |
28,467 |
| Make: |
Jaguar |
|
Doors: |
2 |
| Model: |
Mark IV DHC~Babe Paley~ |
|
Exterior: |
Black |
| Engine: |
3.5 Litre |
|
Interior: |
Camel Leather & Carpets |
| Transmission: |
4 spd Manual Gearbox |
|
VIN: |
CHASSIS No.637293 |
Options: RARE, Complete Factory Tool Kit, LHD!, Correct, "Best Quality" CONNOLLY Hides & Wilton Carpets to Jaguar specs. Custom, polished, Stainless Steel Dayton, wire wheels w/ Chrome knock-offs & SS Exhaust from Headers back. The top bows, wood floor & rear panels were handcrafted by a master cabinet maker. Fuel System completely gone over April 2009 w/ both Fuel Pumps replaced & tank flushed. Compression is 115-120lbs across all cylinders.
*The image above and thumbnails enlarge to 800x600
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