Jaguar Mark 1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jaguar Mark 1 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Jaguar Cars |
| Production | 1955–1959 37,397 produced[1] |
| Predecessor | Jaguar 1½ Litre saloon |
| Successor | Jaguar Mark 2 |
| Body style(s) | Saloon |
| Engine(s) | 2483 cc XK I6 3442 cc XK I6 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed manual 4-speed manual + overdrive 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in (2731 mm)[2] |
| Length | 181 in (4597 mm)[2] |
| Width | 66.75 in (1695 mm)[2] |
| Height | 57.25 in (1454 mm)[2] |
The Jaguar Mark 1 was a saloon car produced by Jaguar between 1955 and 1959.
Originally known as the 2.4 and 3.4 'Compact' saloons, they have come to be called "Mark 1" to fit with their more famous successor, the Mark 2. They were the company's first "small" saloon since the demise of its 1½ Litre cars in 1949 and were an immediate success, easily outselling the larger Jaguar saloons.
Contents |
Although modelled on the larger Mark VII, it differed in a number of ways. Most importantly, it was the first Jaguar with unitary construction of body and chassis. The car had independent front suspension using coils springs but the rear axle retained semi elliptic leaf springs. mainly for styling reasons the rear track was at 50 in (1270 mm) some 4.5 in (114 mm) narrower than the front, a feature which was blamed for excessive understeer.[1]
Its side profile was very different from that of previous Jaguars. The interior was of a completely new design from earlier Jaguar saloons, with the dials moved to face the driver in a way quite different from previous models where they were spread over the fascia.
The small rear quarter-light windows of this and the Mark 2 became a trademark of Jaguars of the 1950s and 1960s, and can still be seen as a design cue in the 'retro' styled S-Type and X-Type saloons of the recent range.
At launch the car had 11.125 in (283 mm) drum brakes but from the end of 1957 got the innovative (at the time) option of disc brakes on all four wheels.
Initially, the Mark 1 was offered with a 2.4 litre, 112 bhp, short-stroke version of the XK120's twin-cam six-cylinder engine, but from 1957 the larger 3.4 litre, 210 bhp, unit also became available. The 3.4 had a larger front grille, cutaway rear wheel covers (spats) and a stronger rear axle. From 1957 the 2.4 also got the larger grille. Wire wheels were also an option from 1957. The car was available in Standard or Special Equipment versions with the former lacking rev counter, heater (available as an option), windscreen washers, fog lights and cigarette lighter. Both versions did however have leather upholstery and polished walnut trim. 19,992 of the 2.4 and 17,405 of the 3.4 litre versions were made.[1]
[edit] Performance
A 2.4 litre saloon with overdrive was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1956. It was found to have a top speed of 101.5 mph (163.3 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 14.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 18.25 miles per imperial gallon (15.48 L/100 km/15.20 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1532 including taxes. [2]
[edit] Mark 1 and 2 differences
Technically, they differed in numerous respects from their successor.
The most obvious visual details are in the grille: the Mark 2's being split vertically by a thicker single chrome bar, set higher than the Mark 1's, and being wider at the top than the bottom in a 'shield' like shape. The Mark 1's is thinner and more eliptical in shape. Mark 1's had fewer chrome bars running vertically in the grille, mirroring the grille of the contemporary XK150 sports car.
The Mark 2 had additional headlamps either side of the grille, where the Mark 1 had only gauzed off openings for the horn.
The Mark 2's window area is larger, where the Mark 1 has thicker A, B and C pillars.
All Mark 2s were fitted with Dunlop disc brakes on all wheels as standard. A small round badge depicting a triangle shape in red with the word 'Dunlop' across the middle appeared in the centre of the rear bumper on all Mark 2s. Originally added to warn drivers following the cars of their greater stopping power.
Mark 2s were also fitted with independent suspension at the rear, using the system pioneered on the E-Type, and already in use on the Mark X.
The Mark 2 was also available with the recently enlarged 3.8 Litre XK engine, in both twin-carb and triple SU 'S' (for 'Sports') format where the Mark 1 was not.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- saloondata.com volunteer maintained online registry where users can register and upload pictures. Companion site to XKEdata.com and XKdata.com
- 2.4 litre Mark 1
- 3.4 litra Mark 1
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Sports | XK120 | XK140 | XK150 | E-type S1 | E S2 | E-type S3 | XJ-S | XJ-S HE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Saloon | Mark 1 | Mark 2, 240, 340 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S-Type | XJ-C | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 420 | XJ6 S1 | XJ6 S2 | XJ6 S3 | XJ6 (XJ40) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mk IV | Mk V | Mk VII | Mk VIII | Mk IX | Mk X | 420G | XJ12 S1 | XJ12 S2 | XJ12 S3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supercar | Jaguar XKSS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Racing | C-Type | D-Type | E-Type | XJ13 | XJ-C | XJ41 XJ42 |
XJRs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate ownership | Independent | BMH | British Leyland | Independent | Ford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
