An Unlikely Racing Legend

Purchased at auction in 2001, Atkinson's Jaguar Mark VII is no ordinary classic. It's one of only two magnesium alloy bodied cars created by Jaguar's racing department in the mid-1950s—a lightweight marvel that was nearly destined for the scrapheap.

Bob Berry, Jaguar's PR director, rescued the car from certain destruction. He painted it green and raced it in the late 1950s, "borrowing" parts from Jaguar D-types to keep it competitive. When Atkinson bought the car decades later, it came with a rich history—even having been raced by a Harley Street dentist into the 1970s.

Racing with Character

Atkinson is refreshingly honest about his approach to motorsport. "I've never really taken it seriously enough," he admits. "If I took it more seriously, I'd be looking for a competitive car. You would never choose a Jaguar Mark VII if you wanted to win a race."

Yet the car has surprising credentials. It won the Monte Carlo rally in 1954 and saw success with legendary drivers like Stirling Moss. Moss used to say racing the Mark VII was "more like yachting than driving"—drivers would slide across bench seats on right-hand corners.

A Classic Perspective

For Atkinson, racing is about enjoyment, not just winning. "All they remember is whether you crashed or not. I just enjoy the challenge of trying to go round corners and go around the track slightly quicker this lap than you did last lap."

The Mark VII remains road registered, a testament to its enduring character. Atkinson believes the best cars are ten to 15 years old—before technology became too intrusive. "Real moderns I find very difficult to enjoy because of all the beeping and bonging," he explains.

More Than Just a Race Car

At one and a half tonnes, it's an improbable racing machine. "It's like a minibus," Atkinson describes. "We've stiffened it up a little bit on the front, so it's a little less roly poly than it was. It actually corners remarkably flat."

Originally published on Goodwood Road & Racing.

At GSW Automotive

We might not have a magnesium-bodied Jaguar Mark VII, but we share Atkinson's appreciation for cars with true character and history. Every vehicle tells a story—come find yours.

Photography Credits: Joe Harding, Pete Summers, Amy Shore, and Drew Gibson