The Jaguar Mark 2 (also known as Mk2, Mk 2 or MkII) is a large saloon car built by the Jaguar company in Coventry, England.
Adhering to William Lyons' maxim of "grace, pace and space", the Mark 2 was a beautiful, fast and capable saloon car. It came with either a 2.4 L, 3.4 L or 3.8 L XK six-cylinder engine. The 3.8 is similar to the unit used in the 3.8 E-Type (XKE), having a different inlet manifold and carburation (two SUs versus three on the XKE in Europe) and therefore 30 hp less than the similar 3.8 unit used in the E-Type (XKE). The head of the 4.2 engine in the E-Type was significantly different to accommodate larger valves. The 2.4 was fitted with twin Solexes, of which three were used in US spec 3.4s and 3.8s in order to meet SMOG emissions legislation. As is often the case this did reduce performance over the equivalent SU carburetted examples.
The 2.5 L was fitted to the Daimler 250 derivative (known as the Daimler V8 in European Markets), having been transplanted from the Daimler SP250 (known as the Daimler Dart in European Markets). This aluminium alloy unit is lighter than the cast iron sixes, changing the handling; many say for the better.
The Mark 2 gained a reputation for transcending the borders of class and breeding in the 1960s, breaking down barriers in the name of good taste, owned by city bankers and bank robbers alike. The 3.8 specifically gained a reputation as a capable car for bank raids, being fast (over 200 bhp (149 kW) and 125 mph (200 km/h) in 1959), roomy enough for five adults and with a big boot.
It was raced successfully in the European Touring Car Championship, until the Ford Falcon convincingly outperformed it.
It is 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). In November 2005, the car used in the television series sold for more than GBP 100,000 once it had been restored from its rather scruffy condition. It was often pushed into scenes with engine noises dubbed onto the soundtrack in post-production.[1]
The British police were often to be found chasing them, as depicted in The Sweeney (that also starred John Thaw) and other TV cop shows. They were used as police patrol cars, especially on UK motorways which in the 1960s had no speed limit. The police frequently upgraded the 3.8 with the XKE inlet manifolds and triple SU carburettors.
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