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Tony Ferrie
The MK II range was an evolution of the earlier Jaguar 2.4 and 3.4 models. These cars were renamed in retrospect to the MK I 2.4 and 3.4. All engine sizes were fitted with the "B" type cylinder head. The Mk 1 models were in hindsight, somewhat overengineered (because of being the first Jaguar monococque design), and the window frames had been made much thicker than on other Jaguar models built on separate chassis. The Mk II featured a much larger glass area, with separate window frames being substituted for the Mk 1's heavy frames integrated into the door. The front and rear windshiekd were also larger. The interior became much brighter because of the increased glass area, and the dash was redesigned to place the speedometer and tachometer in front of the driver, with the ancilliary instruments and controls placed in the center. This general arrangement was to become a Jaguar "trademark" for the next 12 years, and was only changed with the introduction of the Series II XJ6 in 1973.
The Mk II became an instant success, and both then and now totally overshadowed the original 2.4 and 3.4 designs. The Mk II featured the same engine sizes, plus the addition of the 3.8 from the XK150. However the Mk II was never fitted (from the factory) with the latters 'S' specification engine with triple carburettors. The Mk II was also significant as the car which spawned a host of variants during the 1960's from the S-Type of 1963, through the 420 of 1966. Each went upmarket, filling perceived gaps between the compact Jaguars and the MKX (later renamed as the 420G). |
