Jaguar Mark 1 & 2 - A Celebration of Jaguar's Classic Sporting Saloons

The Jaguar Mk I / and Mk II is arguably the most famous and instantly recognisable saloon produced by Jaguar to date. The Mk II was the best-selling Jaguar of the sixties and increased Jaguar's sales and profitability worldwide. Winner of many races, run by 80 percent of all British Police forces (and 90 percent of all crooks!), and epitomised by TV cops and robbers such as The Sweeney and Inspector Morse, the Mk I/II is undergoing a revival in enthusiast circles. This beautifully produced book will appeal to all fans of British cars as well as to Jaguar owners and enthusiasts.      

Synopsis

Most motoring enthusiasts would agree that any mention of the name Jaguar stirs emotions, and that many of the cars they have produced over the years warrant the title 'Great Cars'. Despite so many fine cars carrying the Jaguar emblem, there are just a few that stand above the rest as legends in their time, still today regarded as bench-marks by which other classics (and some modern equivalents) are judged.

The compact saloons (Mark 1 and 2) built in the 1950s and 1960s must rate as perhaps the company's finest achievement. From a wonderful heritage stretching back to the 1930s in the form of the SS Jaguar saloon through to the post-war flagship Mark VII, the company established itself as a force to be reckoned with, epitomised by that wonderful slogan of the period — 'Grace... space... and pace'. William Lyons conceived the idea of a scaled-down prestige sporting saloon that evolved into the 2.4 in 1955 — a wonderful marketing ploy, and a car that established Jaguar in an entirely new market.
Cleverly embodying established Jaguar engine and styling practice within new-technology body construction, this highly successful model led, in 1959, to the introduction of the much improved Mark 2. This in turn led to the introduction of other models based on the 'compact' theme, the resurrection of the Daimler marque, and further success for Jaguar in racing and rallying.

At the time, nothing could match the style, performance and prestige of the Jaguar compact saloons, and it is a tribute to the cars that even today Jaguar take cues from these models in the design and marketing of current vehicles like the S-type.

In this fascinating, extensively illustrated book, Nigel Thorley describes the year-byyear history and development of the Jaguar Mark 1 and Mark 2 models, unearthing many anecdotes and curiosities along the way. With a fabulous selection of period photographs and
press material, as well as specially commissioned studio photography, here is a feast of nostalgia to delight all admirers of these cars.

About The Author

Nigel Thorley purchased his first Mark 2 at the age of 17, and since then has owned no fewer than 16 examples. A Jaguar historian, he is a director of the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club, edits their award winning monthly magazine Jaguar Enthusiast and writes on Jaguar issues worldwide. He is the author of a number of Jaguar titles published by Haynes, including Great Cars: Jaguar E-type, Jaguar: All the Cars, You & Your Jaguar XJ-S and You & Your Jaguar XJ40.