The 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V was first true postwar Jaguars, with an all-new chassis featuring independent front suspension. This platform would be used for the later Mark VII sedans and, in shortened form, for the pace-setting XK sports cars beginning in 1948.

The 1950 Jaguar Mark V convertible, part of the 1948-1951 Mark V series.
1950 Jaguar Mark V convertible.  See more pictures of Jaguar cars.


Styling was an updated version of the Mark IV, still with a traditional vertical radiator and sweeping separate fenders, but headlamps were now partially integrated into the fenders. Roomy four-door saloons (sedans) were most common, but many 3.5 Litre chassis were built with dignified two-door drophead (convertible) coupe bodywork, and are considerably more collectible today. Engines were essentially holdovers of the prewar six-cylinder units.

Like all such Jaguars, they were fast for the period (more than 90 mph for the 3.5 Litre models), and trimmed with lots of real wood cappings and plush upholstery.

Pluses of the 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V:

  • Classic lines
  • CCCA Classic status
  • Rugged simplicity
  • Rare in U.S.
  • Convertibles very desirable
  • Prices have recently retreated to realistic level
  • Better handling than the 1945-48 Mark IV
  • Dropheads have Milestone car status
  • Has mainly held onto its 1990s inflated values

Minuses of the 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V:

  • Parts supplies dried up long ago
  • Limited performance
  • Poor body quality
  • Old-fashioned chassis
  • Pricey, maybe overvalued
Production of the 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V:
  • 2.5 Litre Saloon: 1,661
  • 2.5 Litre Drophead: 29
  • 3.5 Litre Saloon: 7,831
  • 3.5 Litre Drophead: 972

Specifications of the 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V:
Length, inches: 187.0
Wheelbase, inches: 120.0
Weight, pounds: 3,700/3,860 (sdn/conv)
Price, new: NA

Engines for the 1948-1951 Jaguar Mark V:

TypeSize
Horsepower
Years
ohv I-6
2,663 (163 cid)
 105 1948-1951
ohv I-6
3,485 (213 cid)
1251948-1951

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