Jaguar Mark X

Infobox Automobile


name =Jaguar Mark X & 420G
manufacturer =Jaguar Cars
production =1961–1970
13,382 3.8 Litre
5,137 4.2 Litre
5,763 420G
predecessor =Jaguar Mark IX
assembly =Coventry, England
layout =FR layout
body_style =4-door saloon
successor =Jaguar XJ6
class =Full-size luxury car
length = convert|202|in|mm|abbr=on
wheelbase = convert|120|in|mm|abbr=oncite book |last=Cardew|first=Basil |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Daily Express Review of the 1966 Motor Show|year=1966 |publisher=Beaverbrook Newspapers Ltd |location=London |id=]
height = convert|54.5|in|mm|abbr=on
width = 76.3 in(1,938 mm)cite book |last= Manwaring (ed)|first=L.A. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Observer's Book of Automobiles|year=1969 |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co Ltd |location=London |id= Width given as 6 ft, 4 Fraction|5|16 in]
weight = convert|4200|lb|abbr=on
engine = 3781 cc I6 until 1964
4235 cc I6

Mark X

The Jaguar Mark X (pronounced "mark ten") was the top-of-the-range saloon car built by the British manufacturer Jaguar, and was originally aimed at the United States market. Introduced in 1961, until the arrival in 1992 of the two meter wide Jaguar XJ220, the Mark X held the record for being the widest production Jaguar ever built. While in its home country of Britain it was considered an extremely large car, in the United States it is no more than average. The Mark X succeeded the Mark IX as the company's large saloon model.

The classic Jaguar face, four headlamps set into rounded fenders with a vaned grill, first appeared on the Mark X and continues to this day on the XJ and X-Type. The rounded sides and rear are without the characteristic Jaguar rear fender hump and Kamm tail, that feature not arriving until the XJ of 1968. The interior is the last Jaguar with the traditional wood work. Upon the introduction of the XJ, Jaguar limited wood work to an inset plank on the moulded plastic dashboard, later adding fillets to the doors and sometimes small picnic tables to the backs of the front seats. In the Mark X however, the dashboard is entirely made of wood. The wood work not only appears at the base of the windows, but also goes completely around them. Both over the front and rear windshield, and the side windows have woodwork above them. Large bookmatched picnic tables fold out from the front seats. Some vehicle have an additional pull-out picnic table up front, as well as wood escutcheons for the heater controls and electric window switches.

The suspension was independent all round with coil springs at the front. Two sizes of in-line six cylinder engine were offered with 3781 cc until 1964 when the larger 4235 cc unit took over. Triple SU carburettors were fitted. Manual, manual with manual with overdrive and Borg Warner automatic transmissions were options but most cars left the factory with an automatic. Power assisted steering was standard.

420G

For the London Motor Show in October 1966 the Mark X was renamed the Jaguar 420G. (This should not be confused with the smaller Jaguar 420.) Visually, the 420G was distinct from the Mark X only in the addition of a newer, larger grille with vertical central bar splitting it in two; side indicator repeaters on the front wings, and a chrome strip along the wing and door panels (Two tone paint schemes were also available, whereupon the chrome strip was omitted). Interior changes included the arrival of leatherette replacing leather (although this was to keep up with changing fashion rather than skimping on luxury), a padded dashboard for safety, the moving of the clock to a more central position, and the introduction of air conditioning as an option.

A longer wheelbase version was available, allowing a front bench seat (replacing the separate seats of standard cars) and a dividing glass screen. This longer wheelbase was eventually extended further when the mechanical underpinnings of the car were subtly re-bodied for the 1968 Daimler DS420. This car was built until 1992 and used by many countries in official capacities, and frequently by funeral homes; either with a saloon body for carrying mourners or a hearse body.

Despite running for the same length of time as the Mark X (5 years) it sold in less than a third of the numbers: this lack of popularity and the increasing production of the XJ6 resulted in the 420G being run out of production in 1970.

ee also

*Jaguar 420 – the 4.2 L Jaguar S-Type was upgraded to the Jaguar 420 in 1966; the same year the Mark X became the 420G.

References

External links

* [http://www.saloondata.com www.saloondata.com] Volunteer register with records and photos of the Mk. X