The Jaguar MK 2

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 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.5 seconds and to a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) with enough room for five adults.^[5][6][7] 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, although Morse's car was the least desirable version (with its 2.4 L engine, steel wheels and everflex roof). It was often pushed into scenes with engine noises dubbed onto the soundtrack in post-production. In November 2005, the car used in the television series sold for more than GBP 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 GBP 53,000 at auction - some GBP 45,000 more than an equivalent without the history).^[8] 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.

History

Adhering to Sir William Lyons' maxim of "grace, pace and space", the Mark 2 was a beautiful, fast and capable saloon. It came with a 120 bhp 2.4 L, 210 bhp 3.4 L or 220 bhp 3.8 L Jaguar XK6 engine.^[2] The 3.8 is similar to the unit used in the 3.8 E-Type (XKE), 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 30 bhp 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. For markets other than the US the 3.4 was fitted with twin SU carburettors and the 2.4 with twin Solexes, but three Solexes were used in US spec 3.4s and 3.8s in order to meet SMOG emissions legislation. This reduced power output over the equivalent SU carburetted examples.
The Daimler 2.5 litre engine was fitted to the Daimler 250 derivative of the Mark 2 (In European markets known as the Daimler 2.5-V8 then Daimler V8-250), having first been used in the Daimler SP250 (the SP250 was originally known as the Daimler Dart but "Dart" was a trademark of Dodge and had to be dropped by Daimler under threat of legal action.) The aluminium alloy Daimler engine was lighter than the cast iron block Jaguar sixes, reducing the mass over the front wheels therefore reducing understeer compared to the XK-powered versions under hard cornering.
The Mark 2 was discontinued in September 1967 and replaced by the 240 and 340, so named to distinuish them from the old 2.4 and 3.4 which, as noted above, became known as the Mark 1 following the introductuion of the Mark 2 in 1959. The Jaguar 240 and 340 were interim models to fill the gap until the introduction of the XJ6 in September 1968. The 340 was discontinued immediately 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. (Eric Dymock, The Jaguar File, 3rd edition, 2004, Dove Publishing.)
The economies of the new 240 and 340 models came at a cost - the leather upholstery was replaced by 'Ambla' leather-like material and slimmer, more economical front and rear bumpers were introduced. 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.^[3]
The 240's performance was improved over the old 2.4 model by upgrading the 2.4's cylinder head and twin Solex carburettors to the straight port 'E-Type' head and twin SU carburettors. For the first time the 2.4 litre model could exceed 100 mph (Eric Dymock, The Jaguar File, 3rd edition, 2004, Dove Publishing.) ^[4] resulting in a slight sales resurgence.

• Clutch:
  
  • Dry plate
  • 2.4 Mk.II: 9 in. diameter
  • 3.4 and 3.8 Mk.II: 10 in. diameter
  
  
• Rear Axle Ratio:
  
  • Hypoid bevel differential
  • 2.4 Mk.II: 4.27:1 manual and automatic transmissions, 4.55:1 when overdrive fitted
  • 3.4 and 3.8 Mk.II: 3.54:1 manual and automatic transmissions, 3.77:1 when overdrive fitted
  
  
• Maximum Speed: 201 km/h
• Fuel Consumption: n/a
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 12 imperial gallons (54.5 litres)
• Performance (0-60 mph):
  
  • n/a
  • Ignition and Electrical:
    • SU Electric Fuel Pump
    • 12 volt
    • Coil and alternator
    • Battery 51 Ah.
  • Exhaust:
    • Single tail-pipe
  • Suspension:
    • Front: Independent, coil springs and wishbones, anti-roll bar
    • Rear: Live axle, cantilever rear springs
    • Dampers: Telescopic hydraulic
  • Steering:
    • Recirculating ball
    • Turns lock-to-lock: 4.3
    • Two spoke steering wheel, 17 in. diameter with telesopically adjustable column
  • Turning Circle:
    • n/a
      
  • Brakes:
    • Bridge type front and rear, vacuum servo assisted
    • Front: Dunlop Disc, 12 in. diameter
    • Rear: Dunlop Disc, 12 in. diameter
  • Wheels:
    • Bolt on disc
    • Wire centre lock optional
  • Tyres:
    • 6.40 x 15 in.
  • Options:
    • Wire wheels
    • Dunlop racing tyres
  
  

Jaguar Color codes:

From the Jaguar Mk.II Brochure..."From the moment of their introduction the 2.4 litre and 3.4 litre Jaguar saloons scored such instantaneous successes and created such a world wide demand that a doubling of the Company's output became necessary.

Even so, demand still exceeds supply, a situation which, so far from inducing complacency, has spurred the Company to further efforts in effecting improvements to cars already of outstanding design and performance.

These efforts are crystalised in the new Mark 2 Jaguars comprising 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8 litre models and have gained much inspiration from the close relationship which has for long existed between owners and the Company, and which has found expression in the many thousands of letters addressed to us from every part of the world.

These range from the eulogistic to the frankly critical, and a very high proportion proffer suggestions covering a multitude of subjects.

Because we consider the enthusiastic interest thus displayed to be of the greatest value, we maintain a special research department whose function it is to receive, analyse and collate the contents of all such letters and to disseminate the information derived to the heads of divisions concerned with design, development and experimentation.

Thus, it can be fairly stated that much of the wealth of improvement to be found in the new Mark 2 models has been derived from owner sources, and it is significant that, to a large extent, the improvements relate to comfort, safety and driver and passenger amenities rather than to matters concerning speed, acceleration and roadholding which are already accepted by the public and press alike as being not merely adequate, but exceptional.

Nevertheless, for those who require the utmost in performance, a 3.8 litre model with limited slip differential has been made available. An examination...will reveal such advantages as greatly enhanced all-round vision, super efficient disc brakes and clear-view instruments with conveniently grouped hand controls within instant reach.

Interior heating has received special attention and, with it, adequate ventilation. Even such seemingly trivial details as the number, size and location of ashtrays, the interior illumination of the glove locker and the provision of a luminous cigar-lighter socket have been worked out with as much care as the development and positioning of the brake-fluid level indicator.

The full specifications...will repay the closest study, for they reveal that in technical excellence and in appointments and fittings, the Mark 2 Jaguars represent the most advanced and lavishly equipped luxury cars ever to be presented by this Company whose standards are acknowledged to be amongst the higest in the world."