File:1953 Jaguar Mark VII Convertible by Beutler, rear right.jpg

English: This 1953 one-off was sold at Artcurial in June 2014. Their description of this fascinating car:

This exceptional car was a one-off prototype exhibited on the stand of the Swiss coachbuilder Beutler, at the 1953 Geneva Motor Show. Created using the base of a Jaguar MK VII, it featured an all-aluminium body, painted garnet red with light beige leather interior, as described in the fascinating book by Roland Urban "Les métamorphoses du Jaguar". The same book explains that this creation, displaying a modern " ponton " styling, was hailed at the time as being " the convertible most similar to what the factory would have built with the same model and chassis ." After the Motor Show, this car is thought to have spent some time in the Jaguar factory before being sold to a private individual, who subsequently sold it to M. Tilleman-Pruncul, a surveyor from Oise. It was registered by Tilleman-Pruncul on 8 September 1964, as recorded on the copy of the registration document. The car then passed into the hands of Roland Urban, the great marque expert, who sold it on to the current owner. Urban's book states that the car still had its original 3.4-litre engine. In 1996 the engine was overhauled by British Motors (re-boring, pistons replaced, moving parts re-aligned etc).

In 2000, it was entrusted to the Jaguar specialists SPR, who carried out the following work : re-grinding of the cams, replacing bearings, converting valve seats and valves to unleaded fuel, and refurbishing the clutch.

In the engine bay, we note that the Jaguar manufacturer's plaque is missing from the front bulkhead. Also, the series number on the title corresponds to an example that left the factory on 2 June 1954, and is likely to be the number attributed to it after the Motor Show, when the prototype was sold. The dashboard, covered with the original leather, was renovated by British Motors in 1996, at the same time as the dark green leather upholstery and the hood. This hood, despite its size, is very easy to use, which is useful in the case of a sudden downpour! A test-drive allowed us to determine that the engine and four-speed gearbox run properly. Once accustomed to its generous size, the car is enjoyable to drive, with the advantage of allowing four people to take pleasure in the open-top experience. This car is being sold without technical inspection (MOT) and, as it has not been driven much in recent years, a service is advised.