CLASSIC ADVENTURER
Massachusetts-based collector Jeff Gault
loves to get out and use his cars
Whether it’s on the Mille Miglia, Coppa della Alpi, or the Nuvolari Rally, Massachusetts-based enthusiast Jeff Gault loves to get out and use his cars. With multiple ‘50s and '60s Jaguars to choose from to compete in these events, Jeff was looking to add an earlier Jaguar to his collection for Tours and Concours.
One 1940s car that Jeff was searching for was the Mark IV Drophead, a car that is increasingly difficult to find in original condition. After an extensive search he found this 1948 example at auction in Brussels.
This Jaguar Mark IV Drophead had been owned by only two families - its first owner was a member of the Guérin family, owners of the Maison D’Orsay perfumier, and then years later the car was sold to Phillip Pochet, head of IBM in Europe. Originally delivered in 1948, the car is thought to be one of around 40 that exist today.
Once Jeff had acquired the car, he sent it to CKL for a full restoration, with the intention to enter it in both concours and touring events. The car had been restored about thirty years ago, but not to anything approaching the standards expected today.
The team completed the careful disassembly of the car, and made some discoveries along the way that have confirmed the early suspicion that this is an incredibly original car. It was still fitted with its original engine and gearbox. The team dismantled the doors, to check the condition of the original ash framing, and found the original body tags inside. The original internal ash frames being in rather weak condition, they have been carefully replaced using correct original materials. Stampings all over the car match up, including even the smaller components such as the starter motor and dynamo
The body was stripped back to bare metal. All of the metalwork was reshaped before painting in the Jaguar racing green colour. All chassis and suspension components were stripped back to bare metal and repaired as necessary, before refinishing. The original engine was rebuilt by our engine shop, retaining as many original parts as possible. Every major component was overhauled to as new condition, rather than replaced.
The car was retrimmed by our Trim Shop. This very special restoration for US-based Jaguar collector Jeff Gault is nearing completion, and the CKL Trackday was a good opportunity to test it for the first time under controlled conditions.
“It was a huge privilege to test drive this MKIV at Goodwood. The team at CKL have done a fantastic nut and bolt restoration and we are looking forward to fine tuning and fettling the car.”
Mark Hews
