Jaguar Mark 2
A fast saloon with Grace, Space, and Pace.
The Jaguar Mark 2 was a mid-sized luxury sports saloon built in Coventry, England, from late 1959 until 1967. It succeeded the earlier 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre models from 1955 to 1959, which are now called Mark 1 Jaguars. The Mark 2 embodied Sir William Lyons’ 1950s slogan "Grace . . . Space . . . Pace" and came with three versions of the Jaguar XK engine: 2.4, 3.4, and 3.8 litres. Production of the 3.8 ended in autumn 1967, while the 3.4 continued at a discount as the 340 until September 1968, and the 2.4 as the 240 until April 1969. No direct successor replaced the Mark 2 series; the 3.8 litre S-Type, a refined and upscaled version, had already debuted in 1963, and the more powerful Jaguar 420 appeared in 1966. Both remained in production until late 1968, when the XJ6 arrived, positioned between them and the larger Mark X.
The Mark 2 used a 120 bhp 2.4-litre, 210 bhp 3.4-litre, or 220 bhp 3.8-litre XK engine. The 3.8 shared its block, crank, connecting rods, and pistons with the 3.8 E-Type (called XKE in the US), but had a different inlet manifold and two SU carburettors instead of three, producing 30 bhp less. Its cylinder head had curved ports, unlike the E-Type’s straight ports. The 3.4 and 3.8 used twin SU HD6 carburettors; the 2.4 used twin Solex units. Jaguar quoted gross bhp figures for the US market throughout the Mark 2 and 240/340 production. By modern DIN standards, the 3.8 Mark 2 engine developed about 190 bhp, similar to the later 4.2 XJ6 engine, which also produced around 190 bhp DIN (or 245 gross bhp) but at lower rpm. The camshaft timing and valve sizes were identical across the 2.4, 3.4, 3.8, and XJ6 4.2 engines, so larger engines throttled themselves sooner. Later 4.2 XJ6 engines with emission-reducing crossover induction pipes dropped to about 170 bhp.
The body was re-engineered above the waistline, with an 18% increase in cabin glass area. Slender front pillars allowed a wider windscreen, and the rear window nearly wrapped around to enlarged side windows, which had fully chromed frames and the familiar D-shape above the back door. The radiator grille changed, and larger side, tail, and fog lamps were repositioned. Inside, a new heating system ducted air to the rear, and an improved instrument layout became standard for all Jaguars until the XJ Series II in 1973.
Quick Facts
- Sp
- uk
- Aka
- Jaguar 240 & Jaguar 340 / (from September 1967) / Jaguar 3.8 Sedan (US market)
- Manufacturer
- Jaguar Cars
- Production
- 1959–1967 (Mark 2) · 1967–1969 (240 & 340)
- Assembly
- United Kingdom: Coventry
- Class
- Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E) / Sports saloon
- Engine
- Jaguar XK engine (I6): 2483 cc · 3442 cc · 3781 cc
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual · 4-speed manual with overdrive · 3-speed Borg-Warner 35 automatic
- Layout
- FR layout
- Length
- 180 in
- Height
- 58 in
- Weight
- 3174 lb 2.4 manual without overdrive
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Mark 2 was re-engineered above the waistline, with an 18% increase in cabin glass area, slender front pillars, and a rear window that almost wrapped around to enlarged side windows. The radiator grille was changed, and larger side, tail, and fog lamps were repositioned. Inside, a new heating system was ducted to the rear compartment, and an improved instrument layout became standard for all Jaguar cars until the XJ series II of 1973. Front suspension geometry was rearranged to raise the roll centre, the rear track was widened, and four-wheel disc brakes became standard. Power steering, overdrive, or automatic transmissions could be fitted at extra cost. The 3.8 litre was supplied with a limited-slip differential. The car continued to use a live axle at the rear.
Production of the 3.8 ended in autumn 1967, with the 2.4 and 3.4 continuing as the 240 and 340 until 1968 and 1969 respectively. The 240 and 340 models retained cost-saving downgrades: standard leather was replaced by Ambla synthetic material, tufted carpet was used, and front fog lamps were replaced with circular vents. Output of the 240 engine was increased to 133 bhp. Jaguar also marketed a Daimler version from 1962 to 1969, the Daimler 2.5 V8 (later V8-250), fitted with Daimler's 142 bhp 2½-litre V8, which was lighter and reduced understeer.
Reader's Guide
The Mark 2's body lines and overall layout proved sufficiently popular to provide inspiration for the second-generation Jaguar S-Type introduced in 1999. The 2015 Jaguar XE has been described as the Mark 2's spiritual descendant. Japanese automaker Mitsuoka Motors produced the Viewt in 1994, a subcompact hatchback with Jaguar Mark 2 features. The Mark 2 gained a reputation as a capable car among criminals and law enforcement; the 3.8 litre model was particularly fast, with room for five adults. Popular as getaway cars, they were also employed by the police to patrol British motorways. A Regency red 1960 Mark 2 was used by Detective Chief Inspector Morse throughout the Inspector Morse television series; after the series ended, the car was given away in 2002 and later sold for more than £100,000 in November 2005. The Mark 2 also achieved motorsport success: Bob Jane won the 1962 and 1963 Australian Touring Car Championships driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2, Michael Parkes and Jimmy Blumer won the 1962 The Motor Six Hours International Saloon Car Race, Peter Nöcker won the 1963 European Touring Car Challenge, and Roy Salvadori and Denny Hulme won the 1963 Brands Hatch 6 Hours.
Did You Know?
- The 3.8 litre Mark 2 engine was similar to the unit used in the 3.8 E-Type but had different inlet manifold and carburation, producing 30 bhp less.
- The Mark 2 was over 100 kg heavier than the earlier 2.4 / 3.4 cars.
- Only 12 examples of the 380 variant were produced, and it was not a standard production option.
- The 240 model was the first 2.4 litre Jaguar to exceed 100 mph.
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