Mk. 1 or Mk. 2?
Discussion
I've owned both. Currently running a 3.4 Mk1 which I really like. I've just bought a 3.8 Mk2 but haven't driven it yet so it will be interesting when I'm able to do a back to back comparison.
The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
mph said:
I've owned both. Currently running a 3.4 Mk1 which I really like. I've just bought a 3.8 Mk2 but haven't driven it yet so it will be interesting when I'm able to do a back to back comparison.
The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
MPH, would you please stop posting pics of that car. You make me insanely jealous and I really, really want one!The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
The MK1 is far more special than a MK2. It is a real driver's car and was my first Jag many moons ago.
J
mph said:
I've owned both. Currently running a 3.4 Mk1 which I really like. I've just bought a 3.8 Mk2 but haven't driven it yet so it will be interesting when I'm able to do a back to back comparison.
The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
That is really very lovely indeed!! Stunning and ticks all the boxes for me. The Mk1 certainly has rarity in it's favour, I seldom see another one, even at shows, whereas the Mk2 is relatively commonplace.
The Mk1 seems to have been the underdog for many years but people are now starting to realise it's rarity and classic appeal.
It's also lighter and faster than the equivalent Mk2 - In fact according to period road tests it's faster off the mark than the XK140.
My car at Croft Circuit.
Rather boringly, I agree with everything you say! I've always preferred the Mk. 1 but it's been hard to find others to share the enthusiasm
The 50's racing heritage, the shared components with the XK 140/150 (dash board and steering wheel to name but two!). I've heard the arguments about the Mk. being the "better" car because it doesn't have the 'crab track' whereby the rear wheel base is narrower than the front etc and supported by the undoubted truth that the Mk. 2 is a development of the Mk. 1. But that's like saying the series 3 E-type is better than the series 1 or 2. I suppose it all depends on someone's interpretation of 'better'.
I can only endorse what jith said... I'm dead envious as well now!!!
Thanks for posting anyway mph said:
Just to balance the books, here's the Mk2.
Nice enough in "Golden Sand" or similar and another "real" classic, but all a bit 60's for me. A bit too sheepskin car coat, chrome horn ring, bakerlite 2 spoke steering wheel and golf clubby for my taste. Wouldn't mind betting Arthur Daly had a Mk. 2 in this colour before moving on to XJ 6s and Sovereigns though 
You're right it is Golden Sand with a dark tan interior. Not everyone's cup of tea but I like it and it makes a change from the usual colour schemes.
Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
mph said:
You're right it is Golden Sand with a dark tan interior. Not everyone's cup of tea but I like it and it makes a change from the usual colour schemes.
Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
Nothing wrong with that dark tan interior. Looking at your picture, I actually prefer it to the red interior most often selected with Golden Sand.Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
Whilst I do prefer the Mk. 1 from outside and with it's "quaint"
interior, that Mk. 2 interior with its upwards slanting dash and row of toggle switches really is a lovely thing! Assuming it's a 3.8 driving the manual box with overdrive, in Golden Sand with (painted) wires is as close to my perfect spec as you couild get.The only improvement for me would be chrome wire wheels.
Golden Sand and Silver Blue Metallic (I think called "Opalescent Silver Blue" on a 1966 3.8 S-type I had) are the two colours I think best suited the Mk. 2.
Yes, what a step forward from the "Mk. 1" and it certainly rejuvinated the "Jaguar Sporting Saloon" market of the day. 36,740 Mk. 1s were built bewteen 1956 - early 1960. Then 85,000 odd Mk. 2s were built between 1959 - 1967, the last year of production during which they were of course designated Jaguar 240 and 340.
Of that near 37,000 Mk. 1s, I believe less than 100 remiain in the UK today. Here are some of them I came across a few weeks ago!
You may have someting when referring to your dad's Mk. 2 being the first car that made a real impression on you. In 1959 aged just 10, I went with my dad to H. R Owen to collect his brand new Mk. IX, the first car that made a proper impression on me. When I look at the "Mk. 1" of the same 1959 vintage I see just a smaller version of that same car. It's a comforting familiarity in many ways, right down to the tool kit!
nikman said:
Assuming it's a 3.8 driving the manual box with overdrive, in Golden Sand with (painted) wires is as close to my perfect spec as you couild get.The only improvement for me would be chrome wire wheels.
Of that near 37,000 Mk. 1s, I believe less than 100 remiain in the UK today. Here are some of them I came across a few weeks ago!
Yes it's a 3.8 MOD with painted wires. Very original car. Of that near 37,000 Mk. 1s, I believe less than 100 remiain in the UK today. Here are some of them I came across a few weeks ago!
Not sure how many Mk 1's remain in service but the 3.4's are certainly very rare.
Was your picture taken at Nigel Webb's gathering ?
nikman said:
mph said:
You're right it is Golden Sand with a dark tan interior. Not everyone's cup of tea but I like it and it makes a change from the usual colour schemes.
Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
Nothing wrong with that dark tan interior. Looking at your picture, I actually prefer it to the red interior most often selected with Golden Sand.Looking at both cars it's amazing how different in appearance and character they are given that it was basically a facelift.
Now that they're both old "classic" cars it's simply a matter of which you prefer and the Mk1's more old-fashioned appearance and quaint interior is probably in it's favour.
Back in the day though the Mk2 must have been one of the most successful modernisation jobs of all time.
My dad had a Mk2 when I was a young lad and it's the first car that made a real impression on me.
Mk2 Interior
Whilst I do prefer the Mk. 1 from outside and with it's "quaint"
interior, that Mk. 2 interior with its upwards slanting dash and row of toggle switches really is a lovely thing! Assuming it's a 3.8 driving the manual box with overdrive, in Golden Sand with (painted) wires is as close to my perfect spec as you couild get.The only improvement for me would be chrome wire wheels.
Golden Sand and Silver Blue Metallic (I think called "Opalescent Silver Blue" on a 1966 3.8 S-type I had) are the two colours I think best suited the Mk. 2.
Yes, what a step forward from the "Mk. 1" and it certainly rejuvinated the "Jaguar Sporting Saloon" market of the day. 36,740 Mk. 1s were built bewteen 1956 - early 1960. Then 85,000 odd Mk. 2s were built between 1959 - 1967, the last year of production during which they were of course designated Jaguar 240 and 340.
Of that near 37,000 Mk. 1s, I believe less than 100 remiain in the UK today. Here are some of them I came across a few weeks ago!
You may have someting when referring to your dad's Mk. 2 being the first car that made a real impression on you. In 1959 aged just 10, I went with my dad to H. R Owen to collect his brand new Mk. IX, the first car that made a proper impression on me. When I look at the "Mk. 1" of the same 1959 vintage I see just a smaller version of that same car. It's a comforting familiarity in many ways, right down to the tool kit!
The nostalgic memories of that car are so powerful. It was quite superb and was rare being a manual version with overdrive. At the age of sixteen I learnt how to set plugs and points and tune twin SUs on this car!
My first Jag was a MK1 at the age of 19. I truly wish I had kept it as it was a wonderful car to drive and made all the right noises.
J
jith said:
nikman, what a strange coincidence. It would appear we are almost the same age. And when I was twelve I went with my dad to buy his first Jag, a MK IX. This is it two years later, after my young brother's christening when I was fourteen, (that's me 3rd from the right with the Brylcreem hair!):-
The nostalgic memories of that car are so powerful. It was quite superb and was rare being a manual version with overdrive. At the age of sixteen I learnt how to set plugs and points and tune twin SUs on this car!
My first Jag was a MK1 at the age of 19. I truly wish I had kept it as it was a wonderful car to drive and made all the right noises.
J
What a fantastic picture jith, and you certainly had the Brylcreem Bounce!! The nostalgic memories of that car are so powerful. It was quite superb and was rare being a manual version with overdrive. At the age of sixteen I learnt how to set plugs and points and tune twin SUs on this car!
My first Jag was a MK1 at the age of 19. I truly wish I had kept it as it was a wonderful car to drive and made all the right noises.
J
I wish I had a picture of our Mk. IX. There's probably one buried deep in one of the boxes of old family b/w pics of the time. By the way, ours was Indigo Blue with the paler blue below the chrome side trims. Although in b/w, looks like yours could be the same colour scheme! Ours was automatic with "Intermediate Speed Hold" which was operated form the side to side toggle switch, exatly the same as your overdrive switch.
I particularly remember how much wood veneer was in the car, those beautifully made picnic tables, the luxuriously thick carpet and the lever that opened the air intake just in front of the windscreen. I remember you could start the engine from under the bonnet as the starter solonoid has a rubber shield covering a button inside.
Perhaps most of all I remember the tool kit with it's Tecalemit Grease Gun, the plug spanner with it's "Tommy bar", the yellow Lockheed tin containing a length of tubing for beeding the brakes and most of all the feeler guages which I too learned to use at about 14 or 15! Does this look familiar to you?...
Even more coincidentally, I had my first Jag when 18 or 19. A 3.8 Opalescent Pale Blue S-type with dark blue leather and chrome wires. But I don't have the same fond memories of it that you do of your Mk. 1 and therein lies what I believe to be the difference between a car with soul and another without.
nikman said:
I remember you could start the engine from under the bonnet as the starter solonoid has a rubber shield covering a button inside.
A very useful feature. Mine was on the way out at the start of the year. I'd noticed some smoke from under the bonnet when starting her, which turned out to be coming from the solenoid. It felt much safer starting it at the solenoid where I could keep an eye on it. I presume it works directly too so you don't need to current flowing through the coil of the solenoid itself. Don't all solenoids have this feature? I remember it from my first car, a Hillman Husky (Imp estate).nikman said:
jith said:
nikman, what a strange coincidence. It would appear we are almost the same age. And when I was twelve I went with my dad to buy his first Jag, a MK IX. This is it two years later, after my young brother's christening when I was fourteen, (that's me 3rd from the right with the Brylcreem hair!):-
The nostalgic memories of that car are so powerful. It was quite superb and was rare being a manual version with overdrive. At the age of sixteen I learnt how to set plugs and points and tune twin SUs on this car!
My first Jag was a MK1 at the age of 19. I truly wish I had kept it as it was a wonderful car to drive and made all the right noises.
J
What a fantastic picture jith, and you certainly had the Brylcreem Bounce!! The nostalgic memories of that car are so powerful. It was quite superb and was rare being a manual version with overdrive. At the age of sixteen I learnt how to set plugs and points and tune twin SUs on this car!
My first Jag was a MK1 at the age of 19. I truly wish I had kept it as it was a wonderful car to drive and made all the right noises.
J
I wish I had a picture of our Mk. IX. There's probably one buried deep in one of the boxes of old family b/w pics of the time. By the way, ours was Indigo Blue with the paler blue below the chrome side trims. Although in b/w, looks like yours could be the same colour scheme! Ours was automatic with "Intermediate Speed Hold" which was operated form the side to side toggle switch, exatly the same as your overdrive switch.
I particularly remember how much wood veneer was in the car, those beautifully made picnic tables, the luxuriously thick carpet and the lever that opened the air intake just in front of the windscreen. I remember you could start the engine from under the bonnet as the starter solonoid has a rubber shield covering a button inside.
Perhaps most of all I remember the tool kit with it's Tecalemit Grease Gun?, the plug spanner with it's "Tommy bar", the yellow Lockheed tin containing a length of tubing for beeding the brakes and most of all the feeler guages which I too learned to use at about 14 or 15! Does this look familiar to you?...
Even more coincidentally, I had my first Jag when 18 or 19. A 3.8 Opalescent Pale Blue S-type with dark blue leather and chrome wires. But I don't have the same fond memories of it that you do of your Mk. 1 and therein lies what I believe to be the difference between a car with soul and another without.
I have a younger brother, there is 14 years between us, and he walked into the workshop a couple of years ago and showed me this. He had found it in an old shoe box full of stuff from my parents house that was cleared out when they died. I had to walk away from him and go into the office I was so moved! I then explained to him that the picture was taken on the day of his christening. If you look closely at the picture you can see a white haired lady standing behind the car and she is holding my brother wrapped in a shawl. She is my grandmother. You can just see this through the glass.
He was gobsmacked that he was the one to find this! If this was just a picture with the family members in it there would not be the same impact. The vision of the car dates it implicitly in your mind and brings back so many other related memories.
I remember the tool kit so well. I used to take out all the tools every month and clean and polish them. You could actually remove the cylinder head with that tool kit and set up the valve timing with the steel gauge in the kit!
a8, these solenoids you refer to. We had the head off an XK150 last week and I surprised one of the young lads in the workshop by showing him how you can coax the engine around to any position from inside the engine bay using this solenoid. It is such a handy feature when you are working on the car.
These really were the days.
J
jith said:
I remember the tool kit so well. I used to take out all the tools every month and clean and polish them. You could actually remove the cylinder head with that tool kit and set up the valve timing with the steel gauge in the kit!
Not only did the supplied tool kit allow you to remove the cylinder head, the owners manual told you how!The owners manual for my XKR is probably 5 or 6 times thicker than the one for the XK150 but almost everything beyond how to open the drivers door or where to add petrol just says "get your qualified Jaguar technician to do..."
Perhaps a good definition for a classic car is one where the user manual was written the liability avoidance intern in the legal department.
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