| Jaguar Mark IX Marque and Model History |
After the war, Jaguar, like other motor manufacturers,
endeavoured to produce and market exciting new
models. Development work on a new flagship saloon
to replace the prewar design had been started even
before the end of hostilities. Thus it was that the new
chassis developed for the Mark VII – IX range first
appeared in the Mark V. The Mark V, while it looked
very similar to the pre-war design, was a stopgap
model, intended to tread water until the introduction
of its first truly postwar offering, the Mark VII in 1950,
with its promise of both modern styling and the
marvelous new XK engine.
The XK engine was first fitted to the iconic XK120
roadster, which was initially intended as a "concept
car" of the day. Racing success launched the type
commercially and its engine went on to power all
Jaguar sports and saloon cars until the advent of the
12-cylinder motor in the late E-types and lasted on
for 40 years, well into the popular XJ range of cars.
Logically the Mark VII should have been called the
Mark VI, but legend has it that, as Bentley was already
using that designation, Jaguar Chairman Sir William
Lyons reckoned he could upstage them with a "newer"
Mark (!). The car featured styling that was evolutionary
from the previous MK V, but was also evocative of the
swooping curves of the XK120. It was also a much
bigger car than the Mark V - 9 inches longer and 4
inches wider. The series began a steady progression
throughout the coming decade, reaching its pinnacle
in 1958 with the launch of the emblematic Mark IX.
The Mark IX was publicly unveiled at the Earls Court
London Motor Show in the autumn of 1958. Visually it
was nearly identical to its predecessor the Mark VIII.
Mechanically however, much was updated. Under the
hood the engine capacity was increased to 3.8 liters
by the adoption of the latest version of the XK engine,
now rated at an impressive 220bhp. (This was
achieved by increasing the stroke from 83mm to
87mm and using a slightly taller block.) The existing
"B" type cylinder head was retained as fitted to the 3.4
motor of its predecessor. The 3.8 powerplant was
subsequently fitted to the XK150 sports car the
following year, in both standard and uprated "S" states
of tune.
The Mark IX braking system was upgraded to a Dunlop
four-wheel disc system, and power steering was made
available as a standard fitment. By this time most were
delivered with the robust Borg Warner 3-speed
automatic transmission. Nothing much changed inside
the car, as the MK VIII was already superbly equipped
and appointed. The major improvement was the
uprating of the heater system which had been
previously criticized as inadequate for colder climes.
As with the Mark VIII the majority of Mark IXs were
sold with a dual color scheme, the darker color usually
on top. Curiously, the contemporary version of the
Mark VIII (known as the Mark VIIIB) remained in
production for some time, available concurrently
alongside the now more refined and expensive Mark
IX.
Although they were large and heavy, the big Mark
Jaguars proved surprisingly successful in racing and
rallying. No less a personage than Stirling Moss won
contemporary saloon races in a Mark VII and can often
be seen driving one in vintage competition today.
Mark VIIs also excelled in the daunting Monte Carlo
Rally, finishing fourth and sixth in 1952, second in
1953, and finally winning in 1956.
The big Marks were important cars for Jaguar,
epitomizing Jaguar's motto of "Grace, Space and Pace."
With luxury appointments rivaling Rolls and Bentley,
but with more spirited performance at a lower price,
they presented a compelling package for
contemporary executives and even diplomats. These
fabulous cars were integral in the establishment of
Jaguar as a premier producer of the high-performance
luxury sedans for which they are still famous today.
This series of elegant luxury performance saloons was
built by Jaguar Cars, Ltd. at Browns Lane, Allesley,
Coventry CV5 9DR. Mark IX production finally ended in
September 1961, after some 5982 RHD and 4021 LHD
cars were produced.
SUPERB MARK IX FOR SALE
HOME
endeavoured to produce and market exciting new
models. Development work on a new flagship saloon
to replace the prewar design had been started even
before the end of hostilities. Thus it was that the new
chassis developed for the Mark VII – IX range first
appeared in the Mark V. The Mark V, while it looked
very similar to the pre-war design, was a stopgap
model, intended to tread water until the introduction
of its first truly postwar offering, the Mark VII in 1950,
with its promise of both modern styling and the
marvelous new XK engine.
The XK engine was first fitted to the iconic XK120
roadster, which was initially intended as a "concept
car" of the day. Racing success launched the type
commercially and its engine went on to power all
Jaguar sports and saloon cars until the advent of the
12-cylinder motor in the late E-types and lasted on
for 40 years, well into the popular XJ range of cars.
Logically the Mark VII should have been called the
Mark VI, but legend has it that, as Bentley was already
using that designation, Jaguar Chairman Sir William
Lyons reckoned he could upstage them with a "newer"
Mark (!). The car featured styling that was evolutionary
from the previous MK V, but was also evocative of the
swooping curves of the XK120. It was also a much
bigger car than the Mark V - 9 inches longer and 4
inches wider. The series began a steady progression
throughout the coming decade, reaching its pinnacle
in 1958 with the launch of the emblematic Mark IX.
The Mark IX was publicly unveiled at the Earls Court
London Motor Show in the autumn of 1958. Visually it
was nearly identical to its predecessor the Mark VIII.
Mechanically however, much was updated. Under the
hood the engine capacity was increased to 3.8 liters
by the adoption of the latest version of the XK engine,
now rated at an impressive 220bhp. (This was
achieved by increasing the stroke from 83mm to
87mm and using a slightly taller block.) The existing
"B" type cylinder head was retained as fitted to the 3.4
motor of its predecessor. The 3.8 powerplant was
subsequently fitted to the XK150 sports car the
following year, in both standard and uprated "S" states
of tune.
The Mark IX braking system was upgraded to a Dunlop
four-wheel disc system, and power steering was made
available as a standard fitment. By this time most were
delivered with the robust Borg Warner 3-speed
automatic transmission. Nothing much changed inside
the car, as the MK VIII was already superbly equipped
and appointed. The major improvement was the
uprating of the heater system which had been
previously criticized as inadequate for colder climes.
As with the Mark VIII the majority of Mark IXs were
sold with a dual color scheme, the darker color usually
on top. Curiously, the contemporary version of the
Mark VIII (known as the Mark VIIIB) remained in
production for some time, available concurrently
alongside the now more refined and expensive Mark
IX.
Although they were large and heavy, the big Mark
Jaguars proved surprisingly successful in racing and
rallying. No less a personage than Stirling Moss won
contemporary saloon races in a Mark VII and can often
be seen driving one in vintage competition today.
Mark VIIs also excelled in the daunting Monte Carlo
Rally, finishing fourth and sixth in 1952, second in
1953, and finally winning in 1956.
The big Marks were important cars for Jaguar,
epitomizing Jaguar's motto of "Grace, Space and Pace."
With luxury appointments rivaling Rolls and Bentley,
but with more spirited performance at a lower price,
they presented a compelling package for
contemporary executives and even diplomats. These
fabulous cars were integral in the establishment of
Jaguar as a premier producer of the high-performance
luxury sedans for which they are still famous today.
This series of elegant luxury performance saloons was
built by Jaguar Cars, Ltd. at Browns Lane, Allesley,
Coventry CV5 9DR. Mark IX production finally ended in
September 1961, after some 5982 RHD and 4021 LHD
cars were produced.
SUPERB MARK IX FOR SALE
HOME
Jimmy Stewart with Kim Novak in VERTIGO
Sir William Lyons
