1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II

The 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II is the restyled and more attractive successor to Jaguar's smaller sedan line ("Mark I") introduced in 1956. The monocoque bodyshell was given a more open greenhouse and minor exterior trim changes, but stayed dimensionally the same. 

1960 Jaguar Mark II sedan.

Powered by the workhorse XK twincam six in a choice of three displacements and power ratings, and available with both manual and automatic transmission. Numerous other extra-cost items were listed, including overdrive and handsome knock-off-center wire wheels. All these are good-handling cars and, in the case of the 3.8-liter versions, quick (up to 135 mph maximum). This series had a live-axle rear suspension, unlike later models that had an independent setup.

Sold fairly widely in the U.S. through 1967, after which the 3.8-liter engine was dropped to make room in the lineup for the new XJ6 and the remaining models were renamed 240 and 340.

Pluses of the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II:

• Compact size 
• Fine handling 
• Legendary XK performance 
• Wide choice of specs 
• Many parts still available 
• Conservative British appearance 
• 3.4- and 3.8-liter "small sedans" 1957-64 are Milestone cars

Minuses of the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II:

• Unit construction rust problem 
• Limited performance (2.4 liter) 
• Not as much room as you'd think

Production of the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II: 

• 2.4 Litre: 25173
• 3.4 Litre: 28,666
• 3.8 Litre: 30,141
• 240: 4,446
• 340: 2,800

Specifications of the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II:
Length, inches: 181.0
Wheelbase, inches: 107.4
Weight, pounds: 3,200-3,360
Price, new: $4,800 U.S. for 3.8-Litre in 1960

Engines for the 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II: 

Type : dohc I-6 149

Size : 2,443

Horsepower : 120

Years : 1960-69

Type : dohc I-6 210

Size : 3,442

Horsepower : 210

Years : 1960-69

Type : dohc |-6 210

Size : 3,781

Horsepower : 220

Years : 1960-67

More about → 1960-1969 Jaguar Mark II

1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X

The 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X is the largest Jaguar sedan ever, completely different from its Mark IX predecessor in styling and chassis design. Body-on-frame construction was replaced by a massive unitized structure with coil-spring independent rear suspension like that of the E-Type. 

1963 Jaguar Mark X sedan.

Offered in these years with the 3.8-liter version of the famous twincam XK engine, and came equipped with power steering and Borg-Warner automatic transmission. It was almost as large as some full-size American cars of the period, but managed to look smaller because of the traditionally graceful Jaguar styling.

Its appearance was much more modern than the Mark IX's, too, with straight-through fenders (no hint of separate "wings" remained), a tapering tail, and a sloping front end with a shallower grille. The interior had all the usual Jaguar accouterments: wood-faced dash bristling with switches and dials and comfy seats upholstered in genuine leather. A few Mark Xs were fitted with a division window and sold as limousines.

Despite its size, this big cat could reach 120 mph, though it wasn't terribly quick off the line. Not many were sold in the U.S.

Pluses of the 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X:

• Roomy, comfortable highway car 
• Nice blend of modern and traditional styling 
• Lovely XK engine 
• Well-equipped 
• Handling (despite size) 
• Not too costly to buy 
• Milestone status

Minuses of the 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X:

• Rusts easily 
• Trim and body parts in short supply 
• Poor mileage 
• Underpowered for give-and-take traffic 
• May be too large for some 
• Depreciating lately, to virtual bargain status

Production of the 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X:
12,977

Specifications of the 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark:
Length, inches: 202.0
Wheelbase, inches: 120.0
Weight, pounds: 4,175
Price, new: Approx. $7,000 (U.S.)

Engines for the1961-1965 Jaguar Mark:

Type : dohc I-6 (231)

Size : 3781

Horsepower : 265

Years : 1961-1965

More about → 1961-1965 Jaguar Mark X

1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420

The 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420 were literal extensions of Jaguar's original Mark II sedan series first seen in 1956. The S-Type, introduced for 1963, featured a longer, Mark X-like tail grafted onto the original unitized body/chassis structure. To go with it, Jaguar added a coil-spring independent rear suspension similar to that of the E-Type.

1967 Jaguar 420 sedan

In 1967, to provide even closer family resemblance with the Mark X, which was renamed 420G that year, Jaguar announced the 420. This was an S-Type with a squared-up Mark X nose including a square grille and four headlamps. By this time, there was little of the original 2.4-liter Mark II left.

All these models carried the by-now familiar twincam XK engine, with model designation reflecting displacement (3.4S, 3.8S, 420). Typical Jaguar interior appointments were featured, and both manual and automatic transmissions were available. Each version was slightly heavier and less nimble than the one before it. The 420 was capable of 125 mph, and was also sold in England as the badge-engineered Daimler Sovereign with a traditional fluted grille and different trim details.

This series can be considered the direct predecessor of the sterling XJ6, which arrived for the 1969 model year.

Pluses for the 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420:

• Compact size 
• Fine handling 
• Legendary XK performance 
• Wide choice of specs 
• Many parts still available 
• Conservative British appearance 
• Better ride and handling than the 1960-69 Mark II series
• More luggage space than the 1960-69 Mark II series

Minuses of the 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420:

• Mileage hurt by increasing weight
• Unit construction rust problem 
• Limited performance (2.4 liter) 
• Not as much room as you'd think 

Production of the 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420: 

• 3.4S: 10,036
• 3.8S: 15,135
• 420: 9,801

Specifications of the 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420:
Length, inches: 187.0
Wheelbase, inches: 107.7
Weight, pounds: 3,585-3,700
Price, new: $6,300 U.S. for 3.8S in 1964; $7,000 for 420 in 1967

Engines for the 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420:

Type : dohc I-6 

Size : 3,442 (210 cid)

Horsepower : 210

Years : 1963-1969 

Type : dohc I-6

Size : 3,781 (231 cid)

Horsepower : 220

Years : 1963-1969

Type : dohc I-6

Size : 4,235 (258 cid)

Horsepower : 245

Years : 1966-1969

More about → 1963-1969 Jaguar S-Type/420

1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G

1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X 420G were continuations of Jaguar's larger sedan, now with the larger 4.2-liter version of the faithful dohc six specified for the E-Type beginning in 1965.

Though a manual gearbox was available, most of these cars had Borg-Warner's three-speed automatic. The standard power steering system was also revised. There were no visual changes compared to the "Series 1" Mark X. The result was a more torquey and flexible limousine-like Jaguar.

The model was renamed 420G beginning in 1967 to bring nomenclature into line with that of the smaller 240/340/420 sedans based on the Mark II platform.

Appearance changes were confined to thin chrome side moldings and a more formal upright grille. After 1967, the 420G was effectively withdrawn from the U.S. market (though it continued overseas until about 1970), leaving Jaguar without a prestige offering until the arrival of the XJ6, which replaced both the Mark X and the compact S-Type/420 series.

Pluses of the 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G :

• Roomy, comfortable highway car 
• Nice blend of modern and traditional styling 
• Lovely XK engine 
• Well-equipped 
• Handling (despite size) 
• Not too costly to buy
• Greater low-end torque for easier city driving 
• Mark X a Milestone car

Minuses of the 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G:

• Rusts easily 
• Trim and body parts in short supply 
• Poor mileage 
• Underpowered for give-and-take traffic 
• May be too large for some 
• Depreciating lately, to virtual bargain status

Production of the 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G:

• Mark X: 5,680
• 420G: 5,554

Specifications of the 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G:
Length, inches: 202.0
Wheelbase, inches: 120.0
Weight, pounds: 4,300
Price, new: N/A

Engines for the 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G:

Type : dohc I-6 (258)

Size : 4235

Horsepower : 265

Years : 1965-1970

More about → 1965-1970 Jaguar Mark X & 420G

1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX

The 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX is the last of the original 1950 Mark VII design, now with four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, and the bored-out 3.8-liter twincam engine as standard equipment. Virtually all were equipped with Borg-Warner automatic transmission. The only appearance change of note compared to the previous Mark VIII was a change in the identifying nameplate on the trunk lid.

1961 Jaguar Mark IX sedan

Pluses of the 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX: Six passenger room combined with near XK120 performance

• Graceful "period" styling 
• Not too expensive for a collectible 
• Milestone cars
• Better brakes than the Mark VII/VIIM and Mark VIII 
• More affordable than it's been in a long time

Minuses of the 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX: 

• Lately depreciating
• Rust-prone 
• Body parts no longer around 
• Marginal brakes 
• Construction quality doesn't match looks

Production of the 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX:
10,005

Specifications of the 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX:
Length, inches: 196.5
Wheelbase, inches: 120.0
Weight, pounds: 4,000
Price, new: approx. $6,500 U.S. in 1961 

Engines for the 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX:

Type : dohc I-6 (231)

Size : 3,781

Horsepower : 220

Years : 1959-1961

More about → 1959-1961 Jaguar Mark IX