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Jaguar Mk2 turns 65


02 October 2024 | General News

This month sees the 65th anniversary of the Mk2, the highly successful saloon that reinvented the compact Jaguar for the 1960s and remains hugely popular to this day. It was on October 2nd, 1959 that the Mk2 was officially unveiled, known during its development as the ‘Utah’ update of the existing 2.4- and 3.4-litre Jaguars.

Although it carried over many elements of its predecessor’s monocoque bodyshell, the Mk2 was surprisingly different in overall appearance. Biggest changes were above the waistline, which saw a dramatic increase in glass area; the side windows were deeper, the windscreen was larger and the rear screen was of a wrap-around design. Combined with a redesigned grille and new-look lights, the effect was quite dramatic, with the Mk2 having the appearance of a genuinely new car.

Mechanically, meanwhile, there were plenty of familiar features, including continued use of its predecessor’s 2.4- and 3.4-litre straight-six XK powerplants, now complemented by a range-topping 3.8-litre version. Other improvements included the standard fitment of Dunlop disc brakes, as well as a wider track for improved handling. Early cars were offered with either a Borg Warner automatic or Moss four-speed (plus overdrive) manual transmission, with the latter replaced by a fully-synchromesh Jaguar manual ’box by September 1965.

The Mk2 remained on sale through to late 1967, when it was usurped by two re-branded versions – the Jaguar 240 and 340 – featuring slimline bumpers, Ambla vinyl upholstery (leather was now an extra-cost option) and other updates. They would be short-lived, however, with the 340 ceasing production as early as 1968, while the 240 lingered on until the following year.

Production figures for the entire Mk2-based line-up make impressive reading, with the 3.8 model being the most successful. Out of the 83,980 Mk2s built between 1959 and ’67, a healthy 30,141 were the 3.8 flagship, with the 2.4 and 3.4 models achieving sales of 25,173 and 28,666 respectively. The short-lived 240 and 340 models, meanwhile, attracted 4446 and 2788 buyers respectively.