The Jaguar Mark X story
Consider the Morris 1000 – over 1 million were produced. In contrast during its 9 year
production life. (1961 – 1970) only 25211 Mark Xs saw the light of day.
Initially conceived with the American export market in mind (where paradoxically it was not
considered ‘British’ enough – and too expensive to boot) its greater numbers were sold at
home.
The Mark X was launched in October 1961 with the
Jaguar tried and tested XK 3.8 l straight six engine,
principally with a Borg Warner 3 speed auto
gearbox. Some manuals were produced (to provide
sportier performance) the early ones with a moss 3
speed synchro box and the later 420s using a Jaguar fully synchro box. Some came with
overdrive some did not. They offered a blend of ride, performance and handling that was
decades ahead of its time.
A year earlier, in 1960, Sir William Lyons had
bought Daimler (not to be confused with DaimlerBenz) for Jaguar Cars and along with that purchase
came the Daimler 4.5 l V8 engine. There were
some who thought that would have been the ideal
unit for the Mark X. Sir William would have none
of it, although there was a prototype tested on part
of the newly opened M1 motorway, Sir William
insisted that ‘his baby’ the 3.8 l straight six double overhead cam unit was to be the one for
this new vehicle.
The monocoque body shell was manufactured with heavy steel and the doors closed with a
rich satisfying sound, the interior was trimmed with leather upholstery, no less than 43 pieces
of walnut veneered sections decorate the cabin which, naturally, was fully carpeted. The last
3.8 l version left the factory in 1964 (right hand drive no 9129) after which time the 4.2 l
straight six engine was offered.
The vehicle now featured was the 587th., coming off
the line in the very first year of manufacture. The
log book (VO5 style) is a replacement issued in
1982, its ‘A’ suffix registration plate belongs to
1964. It is assumed the vehicle was laid up at some
stage and the original registration plate sold off. It
is, however, one of the few surviving manual
overdrive examples from those first 3 months of
manufacture of the marque and therefore rare.
This model comes with the 3.8 l engine fed by triple SU carburettors and dual 10 gallon fuel
tanks. It has a moss 3-synchro floor change box with overdrive.
It is relatively rust free and show little signs of ‘work’, the seats are original and again in fair
and supple condition. The carpets are new replacements. The french polish to some of the
walnut veneer however has suffered the effects of ultra violet light and condensation attack
and needs attention.
Prices for these vehicles range from £18,000 to £4000.
The manual overdrive versions are the more desirable and
of those the 3.8 l moss box and o/d are the most rare, of
which this is one of the earliest surviving examples.
It comes with a new MoT, is in overall good shape but
needs the woodwork attending to. It offers a relatively low
entry point into the Jaguar 100 mph plus classic range at
£7950.
It can be seen at Yattendon Classics & Garage, near Pangbourne, www.yattendongarage.com
or yattendongarage@gmail.com, where that former doyen of the classic Jaguar motor racing
circuits Roland Stoate would be pleased to speak to you.