Mark II was the car that significantly brightened the prominence of Jaguar in the automobile industry. Released in 1959, this midsize luxury sports saloon is still regarded as the epitome of beauty, creativity, and individuality. Mark II's stint was the longest one, but it was undoubtedly one of the best cars that the British automaker ever made.
The Jaguar Mark II was true to its advertising campaign's slogan "Grace… Space… Pace". Mark II was a replacement of the previous generation Mark and was in production from 1959 to 1967. Cars with similar configurations were not the most uncommon on European roads at that time, but Mark II stood out and left its competitors behind because of its unconventional stylish appearance and performance.
Mark II was often honorably termed as a London bank robber's 'getaway car of choice'. Though it is unknown how many bank robbers actually had one, this car indeed appeared in such roles in many movies of that time. The reason was that its style and unmatched speed could leave chasing police cars far behind.
Mark II was a car apt in every aspect. It had a touch of vintage with a modern edge. This car is meant to portray aggression, but the aristocrat body design and luxury on the inside made it equally comfortable. The craze for this car was such that Jaguar sold nearly 186,000 units in its ten years of production, and during that phase, the price of the Mark II constantly increased. Even now, a well-maintained Mark II shall cost somewhere between $15,000 to $60,000.
The Mark II was certainly not the most economical automobile. However, it was worth every penny and continues to remain the same. So, here's why the Jaguar Mark II is one of the greatest appreciating classic cars.
The Otherworldly Exterior
The Mark II was facelifted to make it stand out from the Mark I. Though greatly based on the Mark I design, Mark II had a much sportier and modern appearance. This was achieved by making the passenger cabin more laden with glass instead of metal. The side windows, windscreen, and rear window were deepened with a slimmer chrome-fitted window frame free from the door moldings.
Slender front pillars and a slanted frame allowed a wider windscreen, with a similarly fashioned rear window. The car's redesigned windows increased the cabin's glass area by 18% and made the car's appearance more lightweight and contemporary. Further, this brightened the car's interior and gave it a wider appeal while sitting on the inside.
The Ultra Lavish Interior
Following their marketing promise of "space", the Mark II was truly a luxury automobile with a ton of space inside. The dashboard and other fittings were adorned with deluxe wood veneer, and the upholstery and side panels were garnished with high-quality leather. A heating system was featured in the car, which was equally effective for the front and rear-seat passengers. The Mark II's instrument console was thoroughly revamped to make it more user-friendly and sleek, which was a philosophy way ahead of its time.
The Roaring Jaguar Engine
The mighty Mark II was even more appealing with its signature Jaguar-styled engine roaring through its exhausts. The car was featured with three engine trims; a standard 2.4-liter 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS), 2,483 cubic centimeters (152 cu in), the more powerful 3.4-liter 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS), 3,442 cubic centimeters (210 cu in), and a 3.8-liter 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS) 3,781 cubic centimeters (231 cu in) Jaguar XK engine with a rear-wheel drive.
This power-packed beauty was a tad bit pricey but was quite forgiving when it comes to fuel economy. The 3.4-liter engine with automatic transmission scored a fuel consumption rate of 19.0 miles per gallon.
The 3.8-liter engine later became standard for the Mark II. This powerful engine was fitted with a throttle handling feature, limited-slip differential, and power-assisted steering. These features made the car easier to handle and it glided through the streets seamlessly.
With these powertrains, the Mark II could gallop from 0 to 80 km/ph in a swooping 6.4 seconds and had a top speed of 201 km/ph, which was a leading number in the class of luxury saloons. This automobile's wheelbases were widened together with a magnanimous suspension system that made this car king of all roads.
For them classic collectors and automobile fanatics alike, this beauty still remains on top of their lists. This luxury sports car was way ahead of its time and was probably the finest example of automobile engineering at that time by any car manufacturer. It was not surprising that Jaguar kept increasing its price, as it was worth the performance that the Mark II delivered. Similarly, this car's rate of sale, during its production phase, evidently explains that its performance was more appreciated and only justified its hefty price tag.