1. The XK engine

2. Body

3. Mechanical changes

4. Daimler 2.5 V8 and V8-250

5. 240 and 340

6. Production

7. Performance

8. Motorsport

9. Influence on modern cars

10. Portrayal in media

11. Notes

12. References

13. External links

The Jaguar Mark 2 is a medium-sized saloon car built from late 1959^[2] to 1967 by Jaguar in Coventry, England. The outmoded Jaguar 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre models made between 1955 and 1959 are identified as Mark 1 Jaguars.^[3]

The Mark 2 was a fast and capable saloon in line with Sir William Lyons' 1950s advertising slogan: Grace . . . Space . . . Pace.

Production of the 3.8 ended in the (northern) autumn of 1967. At the same time the smaller Mark 2 cars were replaced by run-out versions named 240 and 340 sold at reduced prices. The 340 was built until the new XJ6 was available in September 1968. The 240 remained available until April 1969.

The XK engine

The new car came with a {{convert|120|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|2483|cc|cuin|0}}, {{convert|210|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|3442|cc|cuin|0}} or {{convert|220|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|3781|cc|cuin|0}} Jaguar XK engine.^[4] The 3.8 is similar to the unit used in the 3.8 E-Type (called XKE in the USA), having the same block, crank, connecting rods and pistons but different inlet manifold and carburation (two SUs versus three on the E-Type in Europe) and therefore {{Convert|30|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} less. The head of the six-cylinder engine in the Mark 2 had curved ports compared to the straight ports of the E-Type configuration. The 3.4 Litre and 3.8 Litre cars were fitted with twin SU HD6 carburettors and the 2.4 Litre with twin Solex carburettors.{{cn|date=July 2018}}

Aware of the importance of the quotable numbers to the US market Jaguar continued to use claimed gross bhp figures throughout the production period of the Mk II and 240/340 models. A direct conversion into DIN bhp is not possible, but the 3.8 Mk II engine developed about 190 bhp by modern DIN standards. This compares with the later 4.2 XJ6 engine which also gave around 190 bhp DIN, or 245 gross bhp according to Jaguar. The explanation was that the XJ6 4.2 engine was delivering the power at less rpm. The camshaft timing and inlet and exhaust valve sizes were the same for the 2.4,3.4,3.8 Mk II and XJ6 4.2 engines, so the engines throttled themselves sooner in the bigger engine sizes. Later 4.2 XJ6 engines had special induction pipes, to reduce exhaust emissions, that crossed over between the inlet and exhaust sides of the engine. These reduced bhp to around 170 bhp on later production.{{cn|date=July 2018}}

Body

The new car's appearance was transformed by an increase of 18% in cabin glass area greatly improving vision. It was re-engineered above the waistline. Slender front pillars allowed a wider windscreen, and the rear window almost wrapped around to the enlarged side windows, now with the familiar Jaguar D-shape above the back door and fully chromed frames for all the side windows. The radiator grille was changed and larger side, tail and fog lamps repositioned. Inside a new heating system was fitted and ducted to the rear compartment. There was an improved instrument layout that became standard for all Jaguar cars until the XJ series II of 1973.^[5][6]

Mechanical changes

The front suspension geometry was rearranged to raise the roll centre and the rear track widened. Four-wheel disc brakes were now standard. Power steering, overdrive or automatic transmissions could be fitted at extra cost. The 3.8 Litre was supplied fitted with a limited-slip differential.^[5]

The Mark 2 was over 100 kg heavier than the 2.4 / 3.4 cars.{{cn|date=July 2018}}

The car continued to use a live axle at the rear.

Daimler 2.5 V8 and V8-250

A popular luxury derivative was fitted with Daimler's own {{convert|142|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} 2½-litre V8. It sold well from 1962 to 1967 as a Daimler 2.5 V8. In late 1967, it was re-labelled V8-250 to match the Jaguar 240. As well as being significantly more powerful than the 2.4-litre XK6, the more modern Daimler engine was lighter by about {{Convert|150|lb|abbr=on}} and shorter which reduced the mass over the front wheels and so reduced understeer during hard cornering.

These cars were recognisable by the characteristic Daimler wavy fluting incorporated in the chrome radiator grille and rear number plate lamp cover, their smoothness and the sound of their V8 engine. They were given distinctive exterior and luxury interior fittings.

240 and 340

Sometime on or about September 1967 the 2.4 litre and 3.4 litre Mark 2 cars were rebadged as the 240 and 340 respectively. However, there exists documentation of at least one Mark 2 car manufactured in May 1967 and rebadged as "340." According to Anders Ditlev Clausager, Jaguar Chief Archivist, in a letter dated 9 October 2009, he stated "...[t]he theory that some of these 1967 Mark II lite cars sold in the USA were rebadged here, to fall into line with the new model nomenclature introduced by Jaguar in late 1967." The 3.8 litre model was discontinued.^[7] The 240 and 340 were interim models intended to fill the gap until the introduction of the XJ6 in September 1968. The 340 was discontinued on the introduction of the XJ6 but the 240 continued as a budget priced model until April 1969; its price of £1364 was only £20 more than the first 2.4 in 1956.^[3]

Output of the 240 engine was increased from {{convert|120|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} at 5,750 rpm. to {{convert|133|bhp|kW PS|abbr=on}} at 5,500 rpm. and torque was increased. It now had a straight-port type cylinder head and twin HS6 SU carburettors with a new inlet manifold. The automatic transmission was upgraded to a Borg-Warner 35 dual drive range. Power steering by Marles Varamatic was now available on the 340. Servicing intervals were increased from {{convert|2000|mi|km}} to {{convert|3000|mi|km}}. There was a slight reshaping of the rear body and slimmer bumpers and over-riders were fitted.^[7] For the first time the 2.4 litre model could exceed 100 mph,^[3][8] resulting in a slight sales resurgence.

The economies of the new 240 and 340 models came at a cost – the leather upholstery was replaced by Ambla leather-like material and tufted carpet was used on the floor—though both had been introduced on the Mark 2 a year earlier. Other changes included the replacement of the front fog lamps with circular vents and optional fog lamps for the UK market. The sales price was reduced to compete with the Rover 2000 TC.^[9]

Production

Mark 2: 83,976 produced between 1959 and 1967, split as follows:^[4]

2.4 litre – 25,173

3.4 litre – 28,666

3.8 litre – 30,141

240 and 340: 7,246 produced between 1967 and 1969, split as follows:^[4]

240 – 4,446

340 – 2,788

380 – 12 (not a standard production option)

The XJ6 was introduced in September 1968.

Performance

A 3.4 litre with automatic transmission tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of {{convert|119.9|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and could accelerate from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 11.9 seconds. A touring fuel consumption of {{convert|19.0|mpgimp|l/100 km mpgus}} was recorded. The test car cost £1951 including taxes of £614.^[10]

A 3.8 litre with the 220 bhp engine was capable of accelerating from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 8.5 seconds and could reach a top speed of {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.^[11][12][13]

Motorsport

• Bob Jane won the 1962 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2.
• Michael Parkes and Jimmy Blumer won the 1962 The Motor Six Hours International Saloon Car Race driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2.^[14]
• Peter Nöcker won the 1963 European Touring Car Challenge driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2.
• Bob Jane won the 1963 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2 (fitted with a 4.1 litre engine).
• Roy Salvadori and Denny Hulme won the 1963 Brands Hatch 6 Hours driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2.

Influence on modern cars

The Mark 2's body lines, derived from the Mark 1, and overall layout proved sufficiently popular over time to provide an inspiration for the Jaguar S-Type nostalgia model introduced in 1999.

The style of the mark 2 influenced a Japanese company Mitsuoka Motors to recreate a Nissan March hatchback with additional Jaguar MK2 features.^[15]

Portrayal in media

The Mark 2 gained a reputation as a capable car among criminals and law enforcement alike; the 3.8 litre model being particularly fast with its 220 bhp (164 kW) engine driving the car from 0-{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 8.5 seconds and to a top speed of {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} with enough room for five adults.^[11][12][13] Popular as getaway cars, they were also employed by the police to patrol British motorways.

The Mark 2 is also well known as the car driven by fictional TV detective Inspector Morse played by John Thaw; Morse's car was the version with 2.4 litre engine, steel wheels and Everflex vinyl roof. In November 2005, the car used in the television series sold for more than £100,000 following a total ground-up rebuild (prior to this, in its recommissioned state in 2002 after coming out of storage, it had made £53,000 at auction – £45,000 more than an equivalent without the history).^[16] In the original novels by Colin Dexter, Morse had driven a Lancia but Thaw insisted on his character driving a British car in the television series.

In the 1987 British film Withnail and I, a light-grey 1961 Mark II 2.4 litre^[17] in very poor condition serves as the main transport for the eponymous main characters' disastrous trip to the Lake District.

In the late 1980s to early 1990's the Character Joey Boswell drove a black Jaguar 240 in the British TV comedy "Bread".

In the Rivers of London (novel) series (2011-present), Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last officially sanctioned English wizard, drives a Mark 2 (3.8 litre engine). The main character, Police Constable Peter Grant, is forbidden from driving it after he deliberately drives an ambulance into the River Thames.

Detective John Stone and his partner, Carmen Dehan, drive Sone's Mark 2, a burgundy 1964 Mark II, with right-hand drive, in Blake Banner's "Dead Cold" mysteries.

Notes

References

• Schrader, Halwart: Typenkompass Jaguar – Personenwagen seit 1931, Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart (2001), {{ISBN|3-613-02106-4}}
• Stertkamp, Heiner: Jaguar – die komplette Chronik von 1922 bis heute, 2. Auflage, Heel-Verlag, (2006) {{ISBN|3-89880-337-6}}

External links

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXCQCjUUdlM Video of 3.8 and 3.4 as new (as well as Daimler 2.5 V8)]
• Volunteer register with records and photos of the Mk. II

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