What’s the history of this MKVII? Where did it race and how did it do?
The car was originally registered in July 1951 and used by Jaguar General Manager Arthur Whitaker. LHP 5 is the only known surviving car of the three Jaguar Works cars entered for the Daily Express International Trophy at Silverstone in 1954. Driven by Tony Rolt, LHP 5 finished in second place behind Ian Appleyard and in front of the third-placed MKVII of Stirling Moss.
Gulp. This smartly tailored suit really has earned its stripes. Gross prior assumptions quashed, what’s the car been doing in recent years?
More recently the car has competed in the 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Mille Miglias driven by Derek Hood. LHP 5 competed at Goodwood in the St Mary’s Trophy in 2012 driven by Derek Hood and Andy Wallace and in 2014 Driven by Derek Hood and Amanda Stretton.
So it’s a favourite of the boss and has some Le Mans-winner seat time to its credit. What about the future?
We will continue to race and campaign LHP 5 in the Millie Miglia for foreseeable future.
Why this for the St Mary’s?
LHP 5 is a regular choice for the selection committee of the Revival. It is not your typical race car, but adds to the variety and spectacle of the St Mary’s Trophy and goes extremely well for such a big car.
What’s it like to drive?
The MKVII is a very underrated car. Most people see the car as a big tank, which from the outside it appears so but once behind the wheel the car is nimble, responsive and great fun to drive