In standard specification, a Jaguar Mk VIIM would require some degree of mechanical sympathy and patience to drive, but this one has several updates, so is it any better?
"HAVE YOU switched over to the other fuel tank?" is the one question from Jaguar specialist Ken Jenkins that answers all my problems during the half-a-minute phone call I have with him whilst I'm sat in what I thought was a non-running Jaguar Mk VIIM. I almost feel my ears and teeth growing longer, along with the temptation to make a loud donkey-sounding ee-aw noise.
With twin tanks located in the boot of this Jaguar, I'd naively assumed the fuel would be drawn from both of them, but I should have spotted the dashboard-mounted switch labelled with the letters L and R. Flicking the switch to the other tank, followed by a twist of the ignition key results in the familiar sound of an electric pump ticking away, but this time there's fuel to ensure it stops ticking. A dab of the starter button sees the X K engine fire back into life and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Perhaps I should be given a carrot.
Magazine test drives always have the potential for calamities because you can't be expected to be an expert in driving all cars, especially one that is heavily modified like the one seen embarrassing disasters before I'd even started the engine, when I checked with Ken as to whether the clutch pedal should be depressed when firing up the XK. He explained I should leave my feet off the pedals to avoid dragging the clutch. And he thankfully made a passing comment about the overdrive switch, saying that it should never be switched off under heavy deceleration. He did however notice I hadn't locked the sunroof aft, I'd opened it and driven the car, explaining that it can slam shut if you brake too hard.
Some potentially embarrassing problems are not so easy to avoid, but on this occasion, I'm lucky, such as when a rabbit runs out in front of the Jaguar whilst l'rn driving along the road leading to Ken Jenkins' workshop. Fortunately, I have enough time to stamp on the brake pedal and be grateful they have been uprated from drums to discs all round, allowing the rabbit to live for another day. Or perhaps more importantly at the time, for me not to have to explain to Ken why the offside front wing is dented along the bottom and covered in fur.
Before I'd even set eyes on this Mk VIIM, I was already preparing myself for a challenge, although not one I was dreading. The last time I'd driven such an old Jaguar was nearly three years ago when I spent a day with a 1947 Mk IV, which was powered by a 2,664cc overhead valve straight-six. Whilst such a model has pre-war styling and similarly dated components, including trafficators and drum brakes all round, this later Mk VIIM may be only eight years younger, but it’s worlds apart, especially with its updates.
