Jaguar Mark 1 & Mark 2 Buying Guide
Jaguar Mark 1 & Mark 2 History
Jaguar began production in 1935 however, the company originally came from the Swallow Sidecar Company founded in 1922 and became the Jaguar company we know today in 1945. Jaguar became well known for creating elegant and innovative racing cars with fantastic performance. The Mark 1 (MK1) was in production between 1955 and 1959 and are Jaguar’s first stylish British compact saloon car. The MK1’s, however, were not referred to as the Mark 1 until the release of the Mark 2 (MK2) in 1959 and which were in production until 1967. Keeping with the classic saloon style this car became popular to drive at rally events at the time of its release. The Mark 2 became an icon in the automobile industry in the 1960s for its stylish design. Over 83,900 Jaguar Mark 2’s were produced compared to only a little over 37,300 Mark 1’s.
Mark 1
When the MK1 was first released it was known as the Jaguar 2.4 Litre and later the 3.4 Litre. The MK1 has a streamlined and elegant body with a rounded profile, designed by Jaguar’s legendary founder Sir William Lyons. The 2.4 litre engine offers 112 horsepower and a max speed of 100 mph. In 1957, the 3.4 litre engine was introduced which offered an impressive 210 horsepower, with greater acceleration and could reach a top speed of 120mph. These engines were renowned to be reliable and successful in races. This Jaguar was also built on a monocoque chassis, improving the MK1’s rigidity and weight reduction.
At the time this Jaguar was released it became popular for racing enthusiasts and law enforcement for its reliability. Although the Mark 1 got over-shadowed by the Mark 2 when it was released this Jaguar is valued by collectors for its heritage and the contributions it’s made to saloon designs since.
Mark 2
Released in 1959, the Mark 2 is one of Jaguar’s most iconic and beloved models and was very successful on the market. Produced until 1967, using the Mark 1 as a foundation for the MK2 this Jaguar offers more power, and with its impactful saloon design it made a lasting impression on the luxury sports car market. Some of the most recognisable upgrades made to the Mark 2 are the thinner window pillars for improved visibility, refined body style and added chrome work to improve the luxurious aesthetic.
The Mark 2 was released with three different sized engines, a 2.4 litre, 3.4 litre and 3.8 litre. The 2.4 litre engine offers 120 hp and can reach a max speed of approximately 96 mph, going from 0-60 in 17 seconds making this Jaguar more idea for casual cruising. The 3.4 litre engine offers an impressive 210 horsepower, reaching a max speed of 120mph and goes from 0-60 in 11.9 seconds. The Mark 2 also offered the largest engine available by Jaguar during the time it was released, the 3.8 litre engine. This Jaguar can achieve 220 hp, reaching a spectacular top speed of 125 mph and goes from 0-60 in under 9 seconds.
Some other additional improvements include the all-synchro manual gearbox and the speedo and rev counter place in front of the driver, which is the first Jaguar to include this feature, along with front disc brakes. The Mark 2 offered a luxurious interior, with leather seats and carefully crafted wood dashboard, whilst remaining affordable for the masses during its release. The Mark 2 remains a popular choice amongst motor enthusiasts today with its timeless design and fantastic performance.
Our top 3 tips
One of our top restoration technicians with 20 years in the trade gave his top tips for what to look for when purchasing your Jaguar Mark 1 and Mark 2, in particular your Mark 2.
1. Look at the body work - Rust is a common issue on all lower parts of the classic car, such as the crossmember sills, chassis legs (front part in particular) and the spring boxes which house the leaf springs at the rear are common for rusting due to how they were constructed, trapping water. Additionally, check for gaps in the doors around the car.
2. Check functionality -
Make sure that all switch items such as fan, horn, wipers, lights, screen wash sound healthy.
Check that the bonnet releases nicely and that all the doors open and close smoothly.
Check for pressure on the door buttons, this can either mean there is stiff mechanisms or tight door seals.
Make sure the windows wind up and down nicely
Look at the air vent at the bottom of the windscreen, because these are often stuck open or shut. There is a lever under the instruments/clocks in the middle of the car to check this.
3. Check the car model - The 3.8 litre engine with overdrive in the Mark 2 is the most desirable model and if you are lucky enough you might find one with a 5 speed gearbox for cruising down the motorway.
What you can expect to pay
When buying your Mark 1 or Mark 2 the price can differ a lot depending on the condition of the Jaguar along with a few other factors. We have laid out a general pricing guide below, however, there are some additional features to keep in mind when purchasing your MK1 or MK2. You can expect to pay a little more for a Mark 1 compared to a Mark 2 because Jaguar produced less of this model. Some other factors affecting the price include the engine size and model as the 3.8 litre engine is the most desirable you can expect to pay a more premium price, additionally if the MK1 and MK2 have unmodified/original parts, these can be highly sort after by motor enthusiasts. In addition, if the saloon Jaguar has documented history with celebrity ownership or links to motorsports you can expected to pay a more premium price.
Need an expert opinion, get it professionally inspected
Acquiring a classic Jaguar is special, exciting and should be a pleasurable experience. As it's a high investment, it is very important to invest wisely and make the right decision. Our pre-purchase inspection will provide you with an independent detailed report about the condition of the vehicle, its authenticity and offer an idea of performance comparison (if possible). A pre-purchase inspection will give you peace of mind and ensure your classic car is in good condition and you are negotiating the right price. In our inspections we will put together a report comprising of 200 photos and text discussing what’s good about the Jaguar and where there is room for improvement, along with a quotation for the items and work required.