After the war, Jaguar, like other motor manufacturers, endeavoured to produce and market exciting new models. Development work on a new flagship saloon to replace the prewar design had been started even before the end of hostilities. Thus it was that the new chassis developed for the Mark VII – IX range first appeared in the Mark V. The Mark V, while it looked very similar to the pre-war design, was a stopgap model, intended to tread water until the introduction of its first truly postwar offering, the Mark VII in 1950, with its promise of both modern styling and the marvelous new XK engine.
The XK engine was first fitted to the iconic XK120 roadster, which was initially intended as a "concept car" of the day. Racing success launched the type commercially and its engine went on to power all Jaguar sports and saloon cars until the advent of the 12-cylinder motor in the late E-types and lasted on for 40 years, well into the popular XJ range of cars. Logically the Mark VII should have been called the Mark VI, but legend has it that, as Bentley was already using that designation, Jaguar Chairman Sir William Lyons reckoned he could upstage them with a "newer" Mark (!). The car featured styling that was evolutionary from the previous MK V, but was also evocative of the swooping curves of the XK120. It was also a much bigger car than the Mark V - 9 inches longer and 4 inches wider. The series began a steady progression throughout the coming decade, reaching its pinnacle in 1958 with the launch of the emblematic Mark IX.
The Mark IX was publicly unveiled at the Earls Court London Motor Show in the autumn of 1958. Visually it was nearly identical to its predecessor the Mark VIII. Mechanically however, much was updated. Under the hood the engine capacity was increased to 3.8 liters by the adoption of the latest version of the XK engine, now rated at an impressive 220bhp. (This was achieved by increasing the stroke from 83mm to 87mm and using a slightly taller block.) The existing "B" type cylinder head was retained as fitted to the 3.4 motor of its predecessor. The 3.8 powerplant was subsequently fitted to the XK150 sports car the following year, in both standard and uprated "S" states of tune.
The Mark IX braking system was upgraded to a Dunlop four-wheel disc system, and power steering was made available as a standard fitment. By this time most were delivered with the robust Borg Warner 3-speed automatic transmission. Nothing much changed inside the car, as the MK VIII was already superbly equipped and appointed. The major improvement was the uprating of the heater system which had been previously criticized as inadequate for colder climes.
Sir William Lyons
Jimmy Stewart with Kim Novak in VERTIGO
As with the Mark VIII the majority of Mark IXs were sold with a dual color scheme, the darker color usually on top. Curiously, the contemporary version of the Mark VIII (known as the Mark VIIIB) remained in production for some time, available concurrently alongside the now more refined and expensive Mark IX.
Although they were large and heavy, the big Mark Jaguars proved surprisingly successful in racing and rallying. No less a personage than Stirling Moss won contemporary saloon races in a Mark VII and can often be seen driving one in vintage competition today. Mark VIIs also excelled in the daunting Monte Carlo Rally, finishing fourth and sixth in 1952, second in 1953, and finally winning in 1956.
The big Marks were important cars for Jaguar, epitomizing Jaguar's motto of "Grace, Space and Pace." With luxury appointments rivaling Rolls and Bentley, but with more spirited performance at a lower price, they presented a compelling package for contemporary executives and even diplomats. These fabulous cars were integral in the establishment of Jaguar as a premier producer of the high-performance luxury sedans for which they are still famous today.
This series of elegant luxury performance saloons was built by Jaguar Cars, Ltd. at Browns Lane, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9DR. Mark IX production finally ended in September 1961, after some 5982 RHD and 4021 LHD cars were produced.
