Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Litre

Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Litre

The Jaguar Mk2 redefined what a sports sedan could be. With its 3.8-litre twin-cam XK engine producing 220 bhp, it could reach 125 mph — making it one of the fastest four-door cars in the world. The Mk2 dominated saloon car racing throughout the early 1960s, with Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori, and Mike Hawthorn all racing them. But it was also the car of choice for British villains — the Great Train Robbers used Mk2s, as did many getaway drivers, attracted by its speed and anonymity. Naturally, the police bought them too, creating famous cat-and-mouse chases on British roads. Inspector Morse later made the Mk2 an icon of British culture. The interior was pure Jaguar luxury: leather seats, wood veneer dashboard, and a level of craftsmanship that belied the modest price. William Lyons insisted on offering more car for less money, and the Mk2 exemplified this philosophy. Available in 2.4, 3.4, and 3.8 litre forms, the 3.8 was the one to have — its extra torque transformed the driving experience. The Mk2 remained in production through 1967, with a simplified 240/340 version carrying on until 1969.