It's been 15 years to the day since Jaguar became a Ford subsidiary. On this day in 1989, Jaguar entered a new era when it became a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company.
In the lead-up to the buy-out, in February 1985, founder Sir William Lyons died at his home having lived to see his beloved company returned to independence the previous year. The tributes were plentiful and glowing. For 50 years he had been Jaguar and the part he played in the history of the automobile is immeasurable.
Five years later, Jaguar announced enhancements to the flagship XJ6 range with an enlarging of the 3.6 litre AJ6 engine to 4 litres, along with new electronics, interior trim, and other modern accoutrements such as ABS. In introducing the new 4.0 litre, chairman Sir John Egan stressed the extent of the changes which resulted in what he liked to describe as a 'world class car'.
But the luxury car market was becoming an increasingly competitive one. Though the company had a good range of products, difficult trading conditions and adverse exchange rates led the Jaguar board to recognise the potential value of collaboration with a world class car manufacturer.
Discussions took place with a number of major car companies, including GM and Ford, to explore ways of broadening Jaguar's product range. Ford then announced plans to buy up to 15 per cent of Jaguar and then, with a government limit of 15 per cent shareholding for the company removed, it made a successful bid for the whole company.
Over the next 15 years, Jaguar managed to hang onto its image of speed coupled with elegance, exemplified in modern times by the XK8/XKR (middle right).
In 1935, British car designer William Lyons introduced the SS Jaguar 100 as a new marque for his Swallow Sidecar Company. Swallow Sidecar had been manufacturing complete luxury cars for four years, but the SS Jaguar 100 was Lyons' first true sports car.
During World War II, Lyons dropped the Swallow Sidecar name, and the dodgy SS initials, and Jaguar Cars Ltd. was formally established. The first significant post-war Jaguar, the XK120, was introduced in 1948 at the London Motor Show to great acclaim. Capable of speeds in excess of 120mph, the XK120 was the fastest production car in the world, and has to be among the finest sports cars ever made.