Cool Cars - The History of Jaguar
Writer - John Linden
Jaguarone of the coolest cars in history, if not the coolest, got its start oddly enough in sidecars back in year 1922. Living in Blackpool, England, and at the age of 21, Billy Lyons formed a partnership with his neighbor William Walmsley; the Swallow Sidecar Company was born. They switched direction later stopping the production of sidecars and started building the coach, the SS line – first real sports car. Their new endeavor eventually leads to the very first Jaguar launch in 1932. In 1945, all cars made by Lyons and Walmsley bore initials SS – attributed as a reminder of their sidecar roots – but these were dropped off when they realized the letters resembled labels of WWII Nazi Troops. The SS’s new name became Jaguar.
Prior to the Jaguarthe company produced many beautiful, luxury saloon cars – American sedan car equivalent – that received as much criticism as praise. There were those who proclaimed the Jaguar was more concerned with the body’s glam and style than reliability and pure performance. The main Jaguar plant, still headquartered in Coventry, Great Britain, has dealt more with design and assembly of the body rather than the stages of all-car production. Standard Motor Company supplied the motors and two racecar enthusiasts passionate about engine development, William Heynes and Harry Weslake modified the first engines to fit the Jaguar. To the automotive industry’s amazement, Jaguar launched the XK120. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and capable of delivering 180 hp, the 3.4 liter XK could reach better than 125 mph at top speed. Affordability, sporty slim oval shaped grille and sheer performance turned the Jaguar into the icon it is known as today.
Jaguar changed direction, during the 1950s, with its first Mk VII complete line, their new emphasis on large sedans (saloon cars). The new cars, despite having the XK engines under the hood, were not very successful; but the Mk II, a smaller and differently styled sedan became the second bestselling car of the time for Jaguar. In the meantime, the XK was making a distinguished mark on racetracks around the world, becoming known as record breaking. The years 1951 and 1953, held famous racing victories for Jaguar and in 1955, 1956 and 1957 the D-type – often referred to as the aircraft on wheels – claimed its racetrack victories as well.
Jaguar had built a strong reputation when the 1960s rolled around. With the official reveal of the E-type at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1961, the car was a record breaker and Jaguar continued to be admired for its sheer performance – capable of reaching 150 mph – and beautifully styled body in the automotive industry. Jaguar’s new model sporting an overhead cam engine, four wheel disc brakes and independent rear suspension was unlike anything ever seen by the world. In 1975, after 70K plus E-type units, production stopped and replaced by the, not so successful XJS.
In 1972, Sir William Lyons retired and the company fell short in rising to the standards set by its founder, eventually rescue for the company heading for bankruptcy came from the Leyland Company. Jaguar bought its way out of debt to Leyland, but after losing its former appeal and battle for an impressive comeback, in 1989, Jaguar sold to Ford Motor Company along with the British Land Rover. Approximately 19 years later, in 2008, Ford sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors, an Indian group.
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Jaguar History Timeline
1922
Sir William Lyons and William Walmsley become partners – Blackpool, England Swallow Sidecar Company founded – built motorcycle sidecars
1926
Body manufacturing began – luxurious and attractive Morris, Austin Seven, Standard, Swift, Fiatand Cowley
1927
Austin chassis debuted Austin-7 debuted More stylish body
1931
Sales increased – Jaguar relocates to Coventry Sidecar removed from company name London Motor Show – SS class launched
1934
William Walmsley - left company
1935
Company named Jaguar Cars named SS Jaguar
1937
Three factory SS Jaguars entered in elite RAC Rally of 1937 SS100 won
1945
Post war production resumes Company name becomes Jaguar Cars Ltd. All subsequent cars branded Jaguar
1948
Earls Court Motor Show - XK 120 Roadster debuted
1950
Sales limited to luxury and sports cars Became a powerhouse on racetracks around the world
1955
Jaguar MK introduced XK140 roadster introduced
1959
MK I redesigned as the MK II – new dash and larger glass area– instant success
1961
Jaguar E-Type launched – instant classic Huge demand – 1961 through 1975 74,000 cars sold Jaguar buys English Daimler
1966
Jaguar Cars Ltd and BMC merged – BMH formed
1968
BMH merged with Leyland/Rover – BLMC formed
1984
Jaguar and Daimler separate from BL Ltd. – private company formed
1985
Sir William Lyons dies
1989
Ford Motor Company purchased Jaguar
1999
Ford Motor Company – new division Premier Automotive Group formed – Jaguar, LincolnDaimlerVolvoAston Martin Land Rover follows in 2000
2008
Ford sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors, an Indian group.
Jaguar – Current Models Lineup
- Luxury Sedans – XJ model for example
- Executive SF – replaced the S-type
- Middle Class Sedan – X-type
- Sporty – XK
Since 1922, the world has been amazed by the ingenuity of a man fondly referred to as Mr. Jag, Sir William Lyons. His imagination, passion and dream to build cars of the highest elite, have given hundreds of thousands of admirers, buyers and collectors endless hours of pleasure. The Mr. Jag legacy lives – the Jaguar – the icon.
