Jaguar Mark V

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Jaguar Mk V
Mark V
Manufacturer Jaguar Cars
Production 1948–1951
10466
Predecessor Jaguar 2½ Litre & 3½ Litre saloons
Successor Jaguar Mark VII
Body style(s) saloon, drophead coupé
Engine(s) 2664 cc or 3485 cc straight-6 pushrod
Transmission(s) four speed manual
Wheelbase 120 in (3048 mm)[1]
Length 187.5 in (4763 mm)[1]
Width 69.5 in (1765 mm)[1]
Height 62.5 in (1588 mm)[1]
Jaguar MkV drophead coupé
Jaguar MkV drophead coupé
1950 Mk V four-door
1950 Mk V four-door

The Jaguar Mark V (pronounced mark five) was a saloon car built by the Jaguar company. The origin of the name is rather odd since, back in 1948 there had been no Mk I to IV Jaguars: the MK IV designation was only given to the predecessor after the launch of the Mk V.

The car was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show but was rather overshadowed by the XK120 with which it shared the stand. The new large saloon did not get the new overhead camshaft XK engine, keeping the overhead valve pushrod straight 6 units from the MK IV, except that for the Mark V no 1.5 litre version was offered. Claimed power output in this application was 104 bhp for the 2664 cc Mark V and 126 bhp for its more popular 3486 cc sibling[2]. The chassis was new with independent front suspension by double wishbones and torsion bar, an arrangement that would be used by Jaguar for many future vehicles.

The styling of the car was traditional Jaguar with upright chrome grille complete with the leaping Jaguar mascot on many, but not all, markets. Some thought they detected a hint of the recently modernised Bentley look in the style of the front grill[2].

The wheels were 16 inch steel disc type, significantly smaller than the 18 inch ones on the MK IV. From the side, a distinctive styling touch was a "tuck in" curve at the base of the rear window following the curved profile of the side glass. Rear wheel spats (fender skirts) were standard. There was also a drophead coupé version which is now highly sought after.

A 3.5 litre car tested by The Motor magazine in 1949 had a top speed of 90.7 mph (146.0 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 20.4 seconds. A fuel consumption of 18.2 miles per imperial gallon (15.5 L/100 km/15.2 mpg US) was recorded. The test car cost £1263 including taxes. [1]

Production figures were:

  • 2.5 litre saloon 1647
  • 2.5 litre coupé 28
  • 3.5 litre saloon 7814
  • 3.5 litre coupé 977

For 1951 the Mark V was replaced by the Jaguar Mark VII. The Mark VII had the same ten foot wheel base as the Mark V, but a longer and more streamlined looking body which would continue in production with little outward change through the Jaguars Mark VIII and Mark IX until 1961.

[edit] References

  • Jaguar Buyer's Guide Michael L Cook. Motorbooks International, USA. 1996. ISBN 0-76030-169-7
  1. ^ a b c d e "The Jaguar 3.5 litre Saloon Mark V Road Test" (1949). The Motor. 
  2. ^ a b Gloor, Roger (1. Auflage 2007). Alle Autos der 50er Jahre 1945 - 1960. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-613-02808-1. 

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