1949 Jaguar Mark V

Following World War II, William Lyon's SS Cars Ltd. was rebranded under the Jaguar name, and production consisted mainly of pre-war designs and technology. The Mark V was displayed to distributors and the press on September 30th of 1948, and a month later (October 27th) at the London Motor Show, sharing the spotlight with the sensational XK120. The Mark V retained a stylistic link to the pre-war SS cars with classic William Lyons curves, but otherwise, it was completely new.

The 'Mark V' was a mystery, as there were no MK I to IV Jaguars. The Mk IV title was given only to its precursor after the launch of the Mk V. Between 1946 to 1948, William Lyons viewed five prototype bodies with various chassis experiments, and upon arriving at a satisfactory design, it was known as 'Mark V' on internal documents.

The Jaguar Mark V rested on a cruciform-braced chassis with the rear section sweeping over the rear axle. It used a torsion bar independent front suspension with double wishbones designed by the company's Chief Engineer William Heynes, inspired by the decades of research and testing by Citroen. The wheelbase measured 120-inches, the length at 187.5-inches, the height of 62.5-inches, and the width of 69.5-inches. Cross bracing and deep box sections helped improve the overall stiffness, and weldments and brackets were provided for both Left Hand and Right Hand Drive brake and clutch pedal linkages.

Both the XK120 and Mark V were new vehicles, but the XK120 received a new overhead-camshaft XK engine while the Mark V used its predecessor's driveline including the overhead-valve pushrod (2664cc) 2.5- and (3485cc) 3.5-liter straight-6 engines. These Harry Weslake tuned overhead valve engines had been acquired from the Standard Motor Company prior to World War II. The 2.5-liter engine produced just over 100 horsepower and the larger engine offered 125 horsepower. Both engines were backed by a four-speed single-helical gearbox produced by both the Moss Gear Company of Birmingham and Jaguar. The 3.5-liter engine was capable of over 90 mph.

Stopping power was provided by fully hydraulic four-wheel Girling brakes concealed behind 16-inch steel-disc type wheels and Dunlop tires. This wheel and tire combination gave the car a lower and more modern appearance than previous models which rested on 18-inch tires. Steering was by a Burman recirculating-ball. The drophead coupe bodies had wood framing in the doors and the saloons had an all-pressed steel body. The styling was distinguished by flowing lines, an upright chrome grille, a leaping Jaguar radiator cap mascot, and rear-wheel spats. Examples built for the United Kingdom and most foreign markets received flip-out trafficator semaphore turn indicators and 7.7-inch Lucas PF770 headlamps. The cars imported to the United States had flashing turn signals incorporated into the front side lamp and rear tail lamp units, along with 7-inch sealed headlights.

The interiors were equally elegant and lavish, with full burl wood accents, Vaumol leather, and a choice of seven upholstery colors.

Production of the Mark V lasted for three years, offered as both a four-door saloon and two-door drophead coupe. The drophead had a three-position soft top with landau arms, full insulation, and a headliner. Between January 1949 and July 1951, the luxuriously appointed four-seater accounted for approximately 10,499 sales. Three examples had been built in late 1948, and full production was well underway by March of 1949. After a short delay, production of the drophead coupe began, with the final examples of the Mark V being built in mid-1951. 1,698 examples were built with the 2.5-liter engine, plus two bare chassis which were clothed by independent coachbuilders. The total 3.5-liter production was 8,510 units, plus two motor show display chassis and one bare chassis sent to an independent coachbuilder. 1,669 examples of the saloon were powered by the 2.5-liter engine including 188 with left-hand drive. 7,825 examples of the saloon were fitted with the more powerful, 3.5-liter engine (including 1,902 with left-hand drive). 29 drophead's had the 2.5-liter engine (including 12 with left-hand drive) and 685 had the 3.5-liter engine (including 577 with LHD). 9,494 examples were saloons and 714 were drophead coupes.

The Mark V had coach-built elegance and luxury in a factory-bodied package and opened up the development path for future generations of Jaguar vehicles. Produced from 1949 through 1951, nearly two-thirds were built for export and most of those for the United States. The sedan accounted for over ninety-percent of production, making the three-position drophead coupe very exclusive.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021