The history of the Jaguar automobile follows here, not the cat! It is in approximate
chronological order.EARLY JAGUAR
HISTORY
1922 - In Blackpool, England, a
young motorcycle enthusiast met a motorcycle sidecar maker; William Lyons, on his 21st
birthday, and William Walmsley, nine years older than Lyons, opened up the Swallow Sidecar
Company to produce motorcycle sidecars. The company make sidecars until World War II
started. Not a new Jaguar XK-Series yet!
1926 - The fledgling company
built the teeny Austin Seven, a basic, no frills design. The first of the name changes is
made, to the Swallow Sidecar and Coachbuilding Company. Under the new name it made custom
automobile bodies for Morris, Fiat, Standard, Swift and others. Not a new Jaguar XJ-Series
yet!
1931 - At a London exhibition, the
company introduces its first car, the SS1. It was based on and a modified Standard chassis
and used a Standard six-cylinder engine. There was a companion model, the smaller SS2,
with a four-cylinder engine. Still not exactly a new Jaguar X-Type!
1933 - The name of the company is
changed once again to SS Cars Limited. William Lyons now becomes managing director. Still,
not a new Jaguar S-Type Sedan!
1934 - Harry Weslake, a engine
expert of some renown, joins the evolving company, introducing a dependable cylinder head
featuring overhead valves. Not a Jag!
1935 - William Heynes joins the
company as chief engineer. Big things are coming . However, we are not producing a Jaguar
XK yet!
1935 - The name Jaguar was used by
this company for the first time. Jaguar Sports Cars are coming!
1936 - William Lyons buys out his
partner, William Walmsley. Production includes limousines, roadsters, and sports cars
fitted with several engine options. The Jaguar 3.5-liter SS 100 model is the top of the
line. The first of the Jaguar dynasty of racing winners.
JAGUAR HISTORY in the WAR YEARS
1938 to 1945 - During World War II,
all production is contracted to the British government and the war effort.
1946 - The company's name is
formally changed to Jaguar Cars Limited. The first Jaguar motor cars for export are
produced! Here comes the Jaguar XK-Series; Jaguar XJ-Series; Jaguar X-Type; and the Jaguar
S-Type now seen in new car dealer showrooms.
1946 - William Lyons, inspired no
doubt by the BMW 328, introduces a superb sports car, the Jaguar XK 120, and its new
six-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC).
JAGUAR HISTORY POST-WAR
1948 - Jaguar introduces a speedy
new model XK 120 Roadster, advertised with a top speed of 120 mph and outstanding
handling characteristics.
1951 - The Jaguar XK 120 Touring
Coupe is introduced with popular amenities.
1951 - The Jaguar C-Type is
introduced for Le Mans. These prototypes are horribly unsuccessful but with the
introduction of revolutionary disc brakes and other more minor improvements, captured
first, second and fourth in the 1952 Le Mans race.
1953 - The Jaguar XK 120
Drophead Coupe was introduced with a convertible top.
1954 - The Jaguar XK 140 includes
mechanical improvements, flashy trim is added and a 190 horsepower engine. The XK 140
also introduced space for very small children behind the front seats.
1954 - The Jaguar D-Type is
introduced unsuccessfully at Le Mans.
1955 - A vastly improved
D-Type Jaguar is again winner at Le Mans and again in 1956 ans 1957.
1957 - The Jaguar XK 150 (a
comparative loser) is introduced and remained in production until 1961.
JAGUAR COMPANY - SALES HISTORY of the
COMPANY
1960 - Daimler was bought by Jaguar
Cars Limited.
1966 - Sir William Lyons retires as
the Managing Director of Jaguar. He remains Chairman and Chief Executive. The company
elects to have joint managing directors. The company makes many models.
1966 - On July 11 1966, Jaguar Cars
Limited and the British Motor Corporation Limited announce that the two companies would
merge.
1968 - Another merger with British
Leyland forms the largest British car complex in history.
1972 - Sir William Lyons retires,
50 years after forming the company. The company falters. The power and bureaucracy of
British Leyland moves in.
1974 - Production of the very
popular E-Type ends in September. The very last E-Type to roll off the production line -
Registration Number HDU 555N - is now in Jaguar's own Museum at company headquarters,
Browns Lane, Coventry.
1975 - Leyland Cars succeeds the
faltering Jaguar/Leyland. The new Jaguar XJ-S makes a debut.
1979 - Percy Plant becomes
chairman.
1980 - A bitter strike provokes the
famous Sir Michael Edwarde (then in control of the situation), ultimatum: "Return to
work or lose your jobs."
1980 - Jaguar gets a full time
Chairman, John Egan, a farm tractor parts expert. Egan's first quote is, "One cannot
have better ground to build on."
1985 - Jaguar is stable and Jaguar
quality and pride returns.
1985 - The revered and Knighted Sir
William Lyons dies.
THE NEW JAGUAR
1988 - The Jaguar company becomes a
subsidiary of Ford Motors of Detroit Michigan, United States. Ford funds new technology
and marketing ideas while maintaining a hands-off approach to Jaguar’s legendary
designers.
1993 - The XJ 6 is vastly improved
and extended. The Daimler Double Six was refined and featured a 6 liter version of the
V12.
1996 - The Museum of Modern Art in
New York places an early E-Type roadster in its permanent collection, only the third car
in the Museum's history to receive this honor.
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