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A luxury car, similar to the one that was once owned by actor Robert Mitchum and jazz singer Lena Horne, participated in this year’s national Daffodil Day car rally, from the North Shore to Warkworth, held at the end of last month.
The relatively rare 1950 Jaguar MK V 3.5 litre Drophead coupe is owned by Waiwera couple Carrick and Margaret Oliver, who believe that there were less than 1000 of their particular model ever produced.
“They were made specifically for the export market, as a way for British industry to earn overseas money after the war,” Carrick says. “Most were shipped to Australia and the United States.”
The Olivers bought their coupe in Sydney in 2014 where it was being used as a bridal car. It cost them A$95,000, plus GST and shipping costs.
The former moteliers and developers use the coupe reasonably regularly and have driven it as far as Napier and Wellington.
“She’s not sprung like a modern car and there’s no power steering, but she’s fun to drive and quite easy to handle on the open road,” Margaret says.
The couple, who are members of the Wellsford-Warkworth Vintage Car Club, say they try to participate in the club’s charity runs whenever possible.
