1966 Jaguar Mk10 4.2 Saloon

Description

Announced at the same time as the E-Type, Jaguar's new luxury car for the 1960s was designated the Mark 10 and proved to be a major advance. Its monocoque construction resulting in a much lower, sleeker shape that set the style for generations of Jaguar saloons to come. Another big improvement was the adoption of fully independent rear suspension. The Mark 10 also shared the rest of the running gear with the E-Type, so it proved remarkably rapid for such a big car. The 3.8-litre six-cylinder motor boasted triple carburettors and 265 horsepower, enough to propel the Mark 10 to indecent speeds, while the handling was surprisingly sure-footed. Later cars upgraded to the larger 4.2-litre version of the big six. The Mark 10 was the widest British car made up to that time (until the XJ220 supercar came along three decades later) and had a traditionally luxurious cabin, housing rich leather hides, woodwork and high-quality carpeting. Little extras like the folding picnic tables set into the front seats gave the cabin a special ambience. With so few good examples surviving - too many have been broken for parts over the years, with the IRS particularly prized by hot-rodders - Jaguar fans are now coming to appreciate the many virtues of these big cats. Representing great value for money today, the Mark 10 has a real presence on the road and owning one has never been more rewarding.