1948 Jaguar Mk4 Highway Cruiser

This project is the 'resto-mod' (restoration-modification) of a 1948 Jaguar 3½ Litre ‘Mark IV’ saloon. The owner in Victoria is looking for a comfortable and reliable daily driver and highway cruiser to complement his collection of authentic Jaguar vehicles.

The Ford V8-powered cruiser will deliver greater reliability and maintainability for a daily-drive, while still offering the enjoyment of the classic post-war elegance and graceful styling of Jaguar.

The 'resto-mod' will include upgraded driveline, brakes and suspension as we resurrect the post-WWII Jaguar and bring it into the twenty-first century.

The original 'matching numbers' engine will be retained in the car's garage in case a future custodian wishes to reinstate the original pushrod engine.

Originally painted in 'Suede Green' with a green interior, the Mk4 was delivered new to South Australia on 29 January 1948. Along with all the trappings of the era, the saloon originally includes a 3485cc straight six, four-speed transmission and mechanical brakes.

Project Timeline

The timeline below provides a structured breakdown of the resto-mod project. Please click on each section to read more details and see a related gallery of images.

FR20177 Stage 1 - Transport and Receival

At Finch Restorations, one of the first steps in the 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83 coupe project was to assign one of our project managers. A project manager was assigned before the Coupe arrived at ...

FR20177 Stage 2 - Archaeology & Measurements

Due to the poor condition of the 1973 Falcon XA GT RPO 83 coupe, after decades of rat-infestation while stored in an open-fronted shed, the car represented a bio-hazard to humans.

While being ...