Introduction
In part one of this series, we looked at some of the best on display, including a really cool 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS. In this part, we shall focus solely on one marque, Jaguar. In coming posts, we will be covering both more British brands, and overseas Europe and USA cars which were present.
I write more with the knowledge from the top of my head, I leave it to you, the reader, to go off and research more things about the individual cars featured. My aim, is hopefully the content is entertaining and original, as so much has been written in so much detail in so many books and websites, I don't see the value of repeating specific subjects. Therefore, the main aim is to just share what is on display at the car shows, restored and looked after for us to enjoy the sight.
Hopefully, most of the entertainment comes from my photos. I don't know if I should write more or less about the cars, and just keep the photos coming instead. Let me know in the comments what you think! Feedback and opinions will help my blog and site greatly. Thank you in advance :)
The Best: Jaguar E-Type
Jaguar is among the most iconic of the British Motor Industry brands. The cars seen in this post come from a golden era of this industry. Sir William Lyons founded Jaguar cars in 1935, becoming a major respected maker of high quality sports cars and luxury saloons by the late 1950s. In the 1960s, the E-type was launched - it was probably the first ever production road legal car capable of 150mph.
Some say the controversy it caused upon launch, led to the government imposing the 70mph speed limit on what were back then the new motorways of Britain. That speed limit remains in place, to this day. The E-Type took the world by storm, with its fantastic design and specifications. It was the fastest car in the world, in the 1960s. Icing on the cake, they were defeating much more pricey Ferraris in comparisons by motoring journalists. Soon the E-Type was a major sales success, a major status symbol, and a must have accessory for the rich and famous.
Enzo Ferrari, then founder, CEO, and owner of the biggest competitor, is famously quoted as saying when he saw it launched at the Geneva International Motor Show ... "Jaguar's E-Type is the most beautiful car in the world.". Pretty insane compliment, when it comes from your biggest rival.
The iconic E-Type, here in series one drophead (convertible) form.
Another E-Type convertible, the grill, bumpers, side indicators etc mark this one out as a series 2 or 3 but it's still a very lovely looking machine.
Badging from a V12 version of the E-Type
Jaguar MK 10
The MK 10 is the predecessor to the XJ saloon, also featured today. It was a large luxury saloon with running gear from the E-Type, so it was also powerful. Not as popular as other models, but makes for an impressive vintage Jaguar.
Grace, Pace, and Style of the MK 10 Jaguar
The design was modernized and scaled down slightly for the XJ, the full design language is evident from this MK 10, it looks quite similar as we shall see in a moment.
Jaguar MK 10
Jaguar interior was all about the wood and leather finishes. All the luxury in an executive sports car.
Note the similarity of design in the more modern, later XJ saloon series. Below pictured is a Series 3 XJ6 which also happened to be in the same color scheme as one my father owned when I was a child.
I think the look has aged very well. They still look elegant and timeless, with a sense of muscularity and power that hints it is 'not just a gentleman' and can punch hard when it wants to. Jaguars have a certain blend of being naughty and nice. Elegant luxury grace and style, all the wood and leather seems so serene; combined with the abilities of pace and performance befitting of real sports/race cars. The essence of what I love about Jaguars, is not all realize they aren't about the luxury and status alone, they were also highly innovative, and engineered for real drivers. In the prime time of Jaguar, all the technology was derived straight from racing, engineered down to make the ultimate luxury and capable street cars.
The old Jaguars are the real big cats of the car world, sitting mellow and calm, thoroughbreds, ready and prepped to pounce. Grace, Pace, and Space.
Jaguar XJ Saloon
For comparison mostly, we can see the similarity of later model XJ. Jaguar stuck with this look right up until the 1990s.
Series 3 Jaguar XJ6, quite similar to one my father used to own in the late 80's!
Jaguar MK 2
Certainly one of the most famous models, and well respected still. There weren't ANY other saloon cars which could keep up with it at the time it came out. There were family saloons on the market, but nobody had come out with something like this. Racing pedigree, amazing quality, and most important - obtainable - price was premium - yet value for money was unbeaten. It was far less money than some exotics from Italy, yet just as capable. It hit the nail on the head - price was premium, yet just enough to separate it from rivals, exclusive enough - yet obtainable to the hard working man.
The MK 2 invented the recipe of executive saloons, which still exists today. The ultimate company car for the road warrior, you need to do a lot of miles traveling to appointments, you want something that can perform and have plenty in reserves to make the trips easy. Imagine, it's the 1960s - and you must turn up to the meeting looking the part. Imagine rocking up to an important meeting in one of these ... You're credibility is assured. Hopefully you can start to envisage it.
From all the things I have read, it's a great car to drive, capable and so far ahead of it's time, it took over 20 years for other sports saloons to catch up. Much later, BMW launched the first e12 M535i, not a direct influence, but once you understand the MK 2, you will understand how BMW came up with that recipe for their Motorsport cars. The Jaguar MK 2 is an absolute legend, a very important first, which still has influence today.
Great example of the 1960s style of saloon car that Jaguar produced. The MK 2. These were popular both with criminals and the police, as they were fast and well built!
The iconic leaping cat. Badge is faded but we can see this is a 3.8 litre engine example of the Mk2 Jaguar. This car was considered one of the best sports saloons of it's day.
Wire wheels were all the rage of the 1960s. They not only look amazing, they provide strength and lightness for racing. Keeping them this clean is a labor of love.
Jaguar Mk 2 interior
Jaguar XK150
Time to go back. Right back to the 1950s, before the E-Types and Mk 2. Swooping lines, and the engine bay of the amazing XK150. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble to find the other pictures I took of it.
Jaguar were hugely successful in racing. With such a cemented reputation, the road cars became truly desirable.
The badge on this Jaguar XK150 proudly displays the racing pedigree.
The XK engine is a double overhead cam (DOHC) hence the pair of rows on top, and these heads are also aluminum; estimated to have saved 32kg of weight over standard iron ones. Jaguar were one of the first movers in using the material for racing and road cars.
An even closer look at this engine, it is rather special after all. It's not everyday I get the privilege to stick my head under the hood of such awesome historical cars!
Close up in the XK150 engine bay. This example was in beautifully restored condition and details.
Front details of the XK150
A view of the showgrounds from just outside.
Coming in Part 3
Hope you are enjoying this post, and other series of all the classic car content I'm working on sharing now. I have a lot to follow, including the rest of this show in the next parts. Here in Thailand, I'm also striving to get informed about the local car shows, or meet people with cars who will allow me to photograph them. I'm reaching out where I can, and welcome inquiries or tips on upcoming events that are in my area. Until then, I'll keep going and post all the car photography and content I've made but didn't post yet. If I keep doing that, I'm certain this can grow - I'm on constant watch for opportunities to go and make more car photography.
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