Classic Jaguar Cars: XK120, 420, E-type (XK-E), D-type, XK150, Mk2,

What Is Your Favourite Classic Car?

Classic Jaguar Cars Pt1

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This guide includes the following Jaguar models:
Jaguar XK120 1948 - 1954
Jaguar D-type 1954 - 1956
Jaguar XK150 1957 - 1961
Jaguar MkII 1959 - 1957
Jaguar 420 1966 - 1968
Jaguar E-type 1961 - 1975

Jaguar XK120

William Lyons originally envisaged the XK120 as a limited production run of only two hundred aluminium-bodied sports cars but when introduced at the London Motor Show of 1948 it soon became apparent that this would be incapable of satisfying demand. Launched alongside the car was Jaguar's new engine, the now legendary XK six cylinder. This unit, with a cubic capacity of 3,442cc (210cu.in.) and twin overhead camshafts produced 150bhp at 5.500rpm and was capable of propelling the two-seater bodyshell of the XK120 very quickly indeed. In terms of performance the car had few rivals. In 1949 a standard production model was timed at 126.5mph (204km/h) with the hood and sidescreens in place. Production ceased in 1954 on arrival of the XK140.

Jaguar D-type

The D-type has a very special place in history. Built for a specific purpose, to carry on where the C-type left off as a Le Mans winner par excellence, it achieved this objective outstandingly. Winner at Le Mans three times in a row the car became an instant classic and is considered by many to be the ultimate post-war sports racer. Incorporating much that had been learnt from the C-types, the D-type embraced aircraft technology in the construction. The gorgeously contoured aluminium body was actually the chassis, a fully stressed monocoque. Fitted with the XK twin overhead cam six-cylinder engine of 3,442cc (210cu.in.), maximum power output was 250bhp and top speed 170mph (247km/h). D - type production totalled a mere 71 cars.

Jaguar XK150

Introduced in May 1957 the XK150 represented the last manifestation of the XK concept. Very different from its predecessors, the most obvious change was a considerable straightening of the wing-line, whereas it had swept in such an exaggerated fashion on previous models. A one-piece windscreen further modernized the car's appearance and a four inch wider bonnet allowed greater access to the engine. Braking was greatly improved, in place of the barely adequate traditional drums, the XK 150 adopted all-round disc brakes which were developed on the C and D-type racing cars. Offered in drop-head or fixed-head specifications, some 75% of XK150s were exported. The ultimate model, introduced near the end of production was the 3.8 litre (232cu.in.) triple carburettor version.

Jaguar Mk2

Jaguar introduced the Mark II saloon with the option of 2.4, 3.4 or 3.8 litre engines at the 1959 London Motor Show. This new Jaguar was basically a refashioned Mark I with a wider rear track and better handling. The model established Jaguar as a mass producer of luxury cars, in excess of 100,000 left the line during eight years of production. The famous six-cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine was beautifully smooth and in 3.8 litre form (3.78cc, 231cu.in.) produced 220bhp at 5,500rpm. It endowed the streamlined Jaguar with a swift 0-60mph (0-96km/h) acceleration time of 9 seconds and a maximum speed of 125mph (201km/h). The Mk2 saloon range was superseded by the lower specification 240 and 340 models in December 1967.

Jaguar 420

The Jaguar 420 saloon was introduced in October 1966. It derived the name from the engine, a special four carburettor version of the 4,235cc (258cu.in.) XK unit producing 245bhp at 5500rpm and 283lb.ft of torque at 3,750rpm. Based on the S-type but with front end styling similar to that of the Mark X, the 420 offered some very definite improvements over the MkII models. Handling for example was superior as was the braking system and the larger engine, although no quicker than a 3.8 Mk II achieved everything more effortlessly. Produced for only two years, the 420, along with the S-type and 240 / 340 ranges were replaced in October 1968 by the new XJ6, superior in every respect but lacking just a little of the old-world charm of earlier models.

Jaguar E-type

Launched in March 1961, the Jaguar E - type was an immediate sensation. Its XK engine was a 6-cylinder twin overhead cam-in-line unit and featured hemispherical combustion chambers. 3,781ccs (231cu.in) were fed by triple SU carburettors and delivered no less than 220 bhp at 5,500rpm. The result, a stunning 150mph (241km/h) and 0-100mph (0-161km/h) in just 19 seconds, a figure which few contemporary cars would match. E-type production fell into three distinct phases: the 3.8 litre models from 1961 - 1964; the 4.2 litre cars from 1964 - 1971, and the V12 engine models from 1971 - 1975. When replaced by the Jaguar XJS model, a total of 72,507 E-types had been produced of which 38,515 (or 53 percent) were coupes.

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

E-type Jaguar Cars XKE Series 1 3.8, 4.2, 1 ½ (Two Plus Two), Series 2, 3,

What Is Your Favourite British Classic Car?

E-type Jaguar Cars (XKE)

This is one of many illustrated classic car guides I've created for the eBay community. I hope you enjoy it and if you would like to find out more about the classic Jaguar E-type car (XKE) art featured in this guide please click here.

When in 1961 Jaguar unveiled the sensational E-type (or XKE as it was to be known in North America), it immediately became the most coveted sports car in the world. As the XK series had before it, the model set new standards of sports car performance, comfort, and value for money. During its 14 year life, the car was offered with three engines and three distinct body styles (Drop-head Roadster, Fixed-head Coupe and 2-plus-2) and when production ceased in 1975, 72,506 E-Types had been built.

E-Type Series 1 3.8 (XK-E)

The original 3.8 model was launched at Geneva Motor Show of 1961. Embodying all the main ingredients of Jaguar's greatest sports-racing car, the D-Type, it was a remarkable piece of engineering and one of the most clear cut examples of what were purely racing design features being transferred to a road car. Available as a drop-head roadster or a fixed-head coupe, the new model had few peers. It was fast, with beautiful lines and for many it represented the climax of the true British sports car.

E-Type Series 1 4.2 (XK-E)

The desire for more torque for the saloon car range led Jaguar to expand the "old faithful" XK unit from 3781 to 436cc and from October 1964 it was fitted into E-Types. The 4.2 E-Type was little different externally to its predecessor but changes had been made under the skin. Most significant of these was the new gearbox with synchromesh on all forward gears, together with a few interior improvements, making the new 4.2 E-Type more pleasurable to drive and quite literally in a class of its own.

E-Type Series 1 ½ (Two Plus Two) (XK-E)

Introduced in March 1966, the 2-plus-2 made the E-Type into a viable family car.9" longer and 2" taller than the standard fixed-head coupe, the extra dimensions were well disguised and barely affected the sleek and sporting lines. A versatile and useful high speed tourer identified by a more angled screen and bright strips on door shoulders, the 2-plus-2 accounted for almost half of closed Series 4.2 production. The Series 1.5 was really an interim model not acknowledged as a distinct model by Jaguar.

E-Type Series 2 (XK-E)

Stricter North American regulations concerning such items as light position, impact penetration and toxidity of exhaust emissions led to the Series II appearing in October 1968. Obvious changes were the larger "mouth" with fatter decorative bar, headlamps brought forward by 2" and larger sidelights beneath the bumpers. Internally, a snap off rear view mirror was fitted, along with rocker instead of toggle switches and redesigned doors accommodated anti-burst locks. Wire wheels now had smooth centres. With the advent of the Series II there were what accounted to radical changes to the E-Type's appearance. Gone were the slim sidelights and delicate bumpers and although still stunningly beautiful, the car had lost a little of its original charm. In North America, the E-Type's main export market, the edge was being taken off performance from the effects of "enforced plumbing" to control exhaust emissions. It is doubtful if the last of the 117bhp emission cars managed 130mph.

E-Type Series 3 (XK-E)

It needed the 12-cylinder engine to redress the balance and ten years from the announcement of the original, the third and last version of the Jaguar E arrived. The magnificent aluminium V12 5343cc power plant was beautifully smooth and put the car firmly back in the 150mph class. Few cars could match its top speed of 120/130mph cruising ability, even amongst exotica from Italy, and none at all the silence and smoothness of its Jaguar engine.

Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!