1957 Jaguar Mk1 – Classified of the Week

When it comes to classic Jaguars everyone always bangs on about the Mk2, and for good reason. It’s a great choice as far as classic car ownership is concerned. Handsome and capable the Mk2 has all the hallmarks of a proper sporting saloon and is both rapid and practical, especially in 3.4 or 3.8-litre guises. But what of the car that inspired this preferred whip of bank robbers and TV detectives alike? Yep, we’re talking about the Jaguar Mk1, but why isn’t anyone else?

Well, for a start the Mk1 only became known as such with the advent of its successor, having been previously labelled the Jaguar 2.4 on account of its inline six engine. Designed by Sir William Lyons himself and unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1955 it was apparently exactly what the British motoring public was hankering after because it was an immediate success. Compared to the much larger and more exclusive saloons that Jaguar was building here was a compact (by comparison) four-door that brought a slice of that ritzy swagger to a new audience and we lapped it up but it wasn’t until 1957 that things got a tad more interesting.

Two years after that initial appearance at Earl’s Court, Jaguar would offer the 3.4-litre inline six-cylinder from its MKVIII saloon as an option to Mk1 buyers, upping the car’s power output from 112 to 210bhp. Quite the hike. 0-60 times were dashed to just nine seconds and the MK1’s top speed was elevated to 120mph. The decision to fit the larger, more powerful engine can be directly attributed to demand from the US, because we all know those Yanks love their displacement, but it was a decision that ultimately paid off because the Mk1 3.4 did well across the pond, too.

The car itself was of a unibody construction, a first for Jaguar, and featured independent front suspension and a live rear axle but most importantly it was affordable. An Aston Martin DB2/4 at the time was almost twice the price, not to mention not as quick on paper, and so the Jaguar Mk1 was a bit of a bargain in the grand scheme and it was a car that brought prestige motoring to a wider demographic.

So why isn’t the Mk1 historically as revered as the Mk2? It beats us. Yes, the Mk2 has a wider rear track to improve handling and was also available with a 3.8-litre version of the straight six but ostensibly it was the same car, just face-lifted (cue angry emails from disgruntled Jaguar Mk2 owners). Campaigned on track by such legendary racers as Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn the Mk1 has legit motorsport kudos in spades, too, so not only is it an eminently capable classic but it’s also a sound investment.

Leaning on that racing heritage then we’d like to present this 1957 Jaguar Mk1 competition car for sale via the good folk over at WinSpeed Motorsport. Chris and Peter certainly know a thing or two when it comes to Jags having built up exhaustive knowledge and expertise, combining their decades of experience to build WinSpeed into one of the leading specialists within the UK’s classic Jaguar scene and with a background in Historic Motorsport you can rest assured that this particular Mk1 is ready for the track.

Just one look at the thing and you know it means business. From the battery cut off switch and towing eyes to the historic racing decals and taped up headlights it certainly looks the part. Make no mistake though, this Jaguar is far from all show and no go. Power from the 3.4-litre XK engine has been upped to 273bhp and the interior has been modified in true race car fashion with the addition of bucket seats, roll cage, fire extinguisher and various weight saving measures.

Built and driven successfully by the late Les Ely – a well-known competitor in historic racing circles – this Mk1 is an evocation of those cars that back in the day were clipping apexes at full chat at the hands of some of the biggest names in British motorsport. And you can continue the car’s racing legacy. Eligible for all sorts of historic competitions, including the Mike Hawthorn Jaguar Challenge Series and the prestigious Le Mans Classic this is an incredibly well-prepared racer so forget the Mk2 for now and dare to be different, you won’t regret it.