Jaguar Mark X
Encyclopedia
The Jaguar Mark X was the top-of-the-range saloon car built by the British manufacturer Jaguar, originally aimed at the United States market. The Mark X succeeded the Mark IX
as the company's large saloon model.
.jpg)
The modern Jaguar face, four headlamps set into rounded front fenders with a vaned grill, first appeared on the Mark X. The interior is the last Jaguar with abundant standard woodwork, including the dashboard, escutcheons, window trim, a pair of large bookmatched fold out rear picnic tables, and a front seat pull-out picnic table stowed beneath the instrument cluster. Over time, air conditioning and a sound-proof glass division between the front and rear seats were added as options.
From its introduction until the arrival in 1992 of the low-slung XJ220
, the Mark X stood as one of the widest production Jaguars ever built. Asked in 1972 if he thought the Mark X had grown rather too large, Jaguar chairman William Lyons
, agreed that it "definitely" had: he opined that the then recently introduced and notably more compact Jaguar XJ6 was, by contrast an "ideal size".
The substantial doors required helical torsion spring
s inside the door pillars to enable them to be opened from the inside with an acceptably low level of effort.
first seen on the E Type, which was subsequently used on Jaguar vehicles until XJ-S
production ended in 1996. Front suspension used double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers. Initially Jaguar's XK
in-line six-cylinder engine was featured, with 3781 cc. A 9:1 compression ratio was standard, but an alternative 8:1 compression ratio was available as an option. For the London Motor Show in October 1964 the enlarged 4,235 cc unit took over, although the 3.8-litre unit could still be specified until October 1965. Triple SU carburettors were fitted, fed from an AC Delco air filter mounted ahead of the right hand front wheel.
Transmission options were manual
, manual with overdrive
or automatic. The arrival of the 4.2-litre power unit coincided with the introduction of a newly developed all-synchromesh four-speed gear box replacing the venerable box inherited by the 3.8-litre Mark X from the Mark IX
which had featured synchromesh only on the top three ratios. Many domestic market cars and almost all cars destined for the important North American markets left the factory with a Borg Warner automatic gear-box
. The 4.2-litre engine's introduction was also marked by a transmission upgrade for buyers of the automatic cars, who saw the Borg Warner transmission system switched from a DG to a Typ-8 unit. The power train was completed by a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential.
Stopping power for this heavy car came from power-assisted disc-brakes on all four wheels.
Power-assisted steering was standard, the later 4.2 cars receiving Adwest Varamatic variable ratio steering boxes.
For the London Motor Show in October 1966 the Mark X was renamed the Jaguar 420G. (This should not be confused with the smaller Jaguar 420.) Visually, the 420G was distinct from the Mark X only in the addition of a vertical central bar splitting the grille in two; side indicator repeaters on the front wings, and a chrome strip along the wing and door panels (Two tone paint schemes were also available, whereupon the chrome strip was omitted).
Interior changes included the arrival of perforations in the central sections of the leather seats, padded dashboard sections for safety, the moving of the clock to a more central position, and the introduction of air conditioning as an option.
A "limousine" version was available, on the standard wheelbase, with a dividing glass screen partition and front bench seat replacing the separate seats of standard cars. The wheelbase was extended by 21" with the mechanical underpinnings of the car being subtly re-bodied for the 1968 Daimler DS420
. This car was built until 1992 and used by many countries in official capacities, and frequently by funeral homes
; either with a saloon body for carrying mourners or a hearse
body.
Despite running for the same length of time as the Mark X (5 years) the 420G sold in less than a third of the numbers: this lack of popularity and the increasing production of the XJ6
resulted in the 420G being run out of production in 1970.
Jaguar Mark IX
The Jaguar Mark IX is a large luxury saloon car produced by Jaguar Cars between 1959 and 1961. It replaced the previous Mark VIII, and differed little in exterior appearance except for the new model name...
as the company's large saloon model.
Body
From its introduction until the arrival in 1992 of the low-slung XJ220
Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220 is a mid-engined supercar produced by Jaguar in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing as Jaguar Sport between 1992 and 1994. It held the record for the highest top speed of a production car , until the arrival of the McLaren F1 in 1994...
, the Mark X stood as one of the widest production Jaguars ever built. Asked in 1972 if he thought the Mark X had grown rather too large, Jaguar chairman William Lyons
William Lyons
Sir William Lyons , known as "Mr. Jaguar", was with fellow motorcycle enthusiast William Walmsley, the co-founder in 1922 of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which became Jaguar Cars Limited after the Second World War....
, agreed that it "definitely" had: he opined that the then recently introduced and notably more compact Jaguar XJ6 was, by contrast an "ideal size".
The substantial doors required helical torsion spring
Torsion spring
A torsion spring is a spring that works by torsion or twisting; that is, a flexible elastic object that stores mechanical energy when it is twisted. The amount of force it exerts is proportional to the amount it is twisted. There are two types...
s inside the door pillars to enable them to be opened from the inside with an acceptably low level of effort.
Running gear and engine
The Mark X was the first Jaguar saloon to feature independent rear suspension. It used a wider-track version of Jaguar's IRS unitJaguar independent rear suspension
Jaguar's independent rear suspension unit has been a common component of a number of Jaguar production cars since 1961, passing through three major changes of configuration up to 2003 and still used in the full-sized Jaguar XJ...
first seen on the E Type, which was subsequently used on Jaguar vehicles until XJ-S
Jaguar XJS
The Jaguar XJ-S is a luxury grand tourer produced by the British manufacturer Jaguar from 1975 to 1996. The XJ-S replaced the E-Type in September 1975, and was based on the XJ saloon. It had been developed as the XK-F, though it was very different in character from its predecessor...
production ended in 1996. Front suspension used double wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers. Initially Jaguar's XK
Jaguar XK6 engine
The renowned Jaguar XK dual overhead camshaft inline 6-cylinder engine was introduced in 1949 and continued in manufacture until 1992. It was produced in five displacements for Jaguar passenger cars, with other sizes being made by Jaguar and privateers for racing...
in-line six-cylinder engine was featured, with 3781 cc. A 9:1 compression ratio was standard, but an alternative 8:1 compression ratio was available as an option. For the London Motor Show in October 1964 the enlarged 4,235 cc unit took over, although the 3.8-litre unit could still be specified until October 1965. Triple SU carburettors were fitted, fed from an AC Delco air filter mounted ahead of the right hand front wheel.
Transmission options were manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
, manual with overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
or automatic. The arrival of the 4.2-litre power unit coincided with the introduction of a newly developed all-synchromesh four-speed gear box replacing the venerable box inherited by the 3.8-litre Mark X from the Mark IX
Jaguar Mark IX
The Jaguar Mark IX is a large luxury saloon car produced by Jaguar Cars between 1959 and 1961. It replaced the previous Mark VIII, and differed little in exterior appearance except for the new model name...
which had featured synchromesh only on the top three ratios. Many domestic market cars and almost all cars destined for the important North American markets left the factory with a Borg Warner automatic gear-box
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The 4.2-litre engine's introduction was also marked by a transmission upgrade for buyers of the automatic cars, who saw the Borg Warner transmission system switched from a DG to a Typ-8 unit. The power train was completed by a Thornton Powr-Lok limited-slip differential.
Stopping power for this heavy car came from power-assisted disc-brakes on all four wheels.
Power-assisted steering was standard, the later 4.2 cars receiving Adwest Varamatic variable ratio steering boxes.
420G
Interior changes included the arrival of perforations in the central sections of the leather seats, padded dashboard sections for safety, the moving of the clock to a more central position, and the introduction of air conditioning as an option.
A "limousine" version was available, on the standard wheelbase, with a dividing glass screen partition and front bench seat replacing the separate seats of standard cars. The wheelbase was extended by 21" with the mechanical underpinnings of the car being subtly re-bodied for the 1968 Daimler DS420
Daimler DS420
The Daimler DS420, popularly known as the Daimler Limousine, is a large limousine produced by Daimler Motor Company between 1968 and 1992. The vehicles are used extensively as official state cars in several countries, including by the British and Danish Royal Families...
. This car was built until 1992 and used by many countries in official capacities, and frequently by funeral homes
Funeral director
A funeral director , also known as a mortician or undertaker, is a professional involved in the business of funeral rites. These tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the planning and arrangement of the actual funeral ceremony...
; either with a saloon body for carrying mourners or a hearse
Hearse
A hearse is a funerary vehicle used to carry a coffin from a church or funeral home to a cemetery. In the funeral trade, hearses are often called funeral coaches.-History:...
body.
Despite running for the same length of time as the Mark X (5 years) the 420G sold in less than a third of the numbers: this lack of popularity and the increasing production of the XJ6
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar XJ is the designation that has been used for a series of luxury saloon cars sold under the British Jaguar marque. The first XJ was launched in 1968 and the designation has been used for successive Jaguar flagship models since then. The original model was the last Jaguar saloon to have had...
resulted in the 420G being run out of production in 1970.
See also
- Jaguar 420 – the Jaguar S-Type (available as 3.4 L or 3.8 L) spawned the 4.2 L Jaguar 420 with its restyled nose in 1966; the same year the 4.2 L Mark X became the 420G.
External links
- www.saloondata.com Volunteer register with records and photos of the Mk. X
- www.gbclassiccars.co.uk/jaguar_mkx.html British classic car website page about the Jaguar Mark X and 420G models