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.
Gateway 1 – Initial Assessment
Is my vehicle appropriate for restoring?
Before commencing on a restoration, you should review your motivations as well as assess the suitability of your vehicle for restoration.
Gateway 2 – Restoration Route
Should I restore, modify, enhance, or preserve my vehicle?
Our ‘Restoration Route’ gateway is where you decide the appropriate route for your vehicle; either restoration, ...
Gateway 3 – Restoration Scope
How deeply do I want to restore my vehicle?
The third gateway involves choosing the scope, or depth, of the restoration. We specialise in ground-up restorations, but can also focus on a single or ...
Gateway 4 – Project Velocity
How quickly do I want the project to proceed?
We progress restoration projects in a series of iterations, called Sprints, to break down big, complex projects into bite-sized pieces. Our Sprints are ...
Gateway 5 – Parts Purchasing
Who is buying vehicle parts?
We offer you the option of sourcing and supplying your own vehicle-specific parts and materials in a timely manner. Otherwise, we are happy to use our extensive ...
Gateway 6 – Initiate Project
Ready to start?
When you are ready to start your project, we will prepare a project document that describes your choices, provide you with a deposit invoice, prepare a project plan, and soon ...