A Sketch on a Cigarette Pack Led to the Classic Jaguar XK Auto Car Series
The legendary Jaguar XE series of fine motor cars was directly developed from the inspiration of Jaguar engineers on a rooftop watching their city of Birmingham England being bombed from the sky during the darkest days of World War II.
These engineers sketched the plans for what became the legendary Jaguar engine amazingly and simply on cigarette box carton. . This new engine was so good it became the standard that went on to become the stock Jaguar powerplant for the next 30 years. The best words that best describe this classic engine are - efficient, smooth and powerful. Indeed it was one a mechanical genius, Harry Weslake, who provided the key to the design - a light weight alloy cylinder head with dual cams and angled valves in a hemispherical combustion chamber. The final marvelous touch of genius were the two SU carburetors fed the 3.5 liter straight six, producing a 160 horse power
The new Jaguar was so good that it deserved a whole new car to be designed and built around it. The engineering felt that the motor was so exceptional it needed its own automobile - one worthy of such a powerplant. Otherwise it was if their work had been wasted. 1948 became the release date of this project. What emerged and created a storm from automobile enthusiasts was a low slung car body mounted at was then a fairly standard box-frame chassis. Independent front suspension was by torsion bars and the solid rear axle was by torsion springs. With all the power and effect the final finishing touches that were almost essential were 12 inch diameter drum brakes. Indeed the Jaguar XK120 was timed at a top test speed of 132 miles per hour
Of course the Jaguar XK proved to be a major hit - especially in the lucrative American export market. At a $ 4,000 sticker price 90 % of factory output was exported outside Britain - most of it to the American automobile market. It did not hurt the reputation and sales of the Jaguar .XK series that the car proved to be a killer on the Le Mans auto racing circuits. It was the Jaguars that were to become the inspiration for the classic "sports cars" that were to come - especially the venerable Chevrolet Corvette and Stingray.
The Jaguar line grew and evolved further with each racing win. In 1954 the next step occurred -The classic 1948 era Jaguar XE120 was replaced by what was to become a short lived production run model - the XK140. Disc brakes had made a great impression on the Jaguar racing team crews - including car design team as well as the actual drivers. Along with this went "unitary construction" a major upgrade and update from the former hefty chassis being applied from Jaguar cars from 1955 onwards.
Still the venerable motor based on the cigarette pack sketches lived on with the introduction of the next phase - the XKE Jaguar. Along with that 3.8 liter what then was a major innovation then - electric fans, which were added after exceptional results on the racing circuits with Jaguar as well as other racing cars. The XKE was considered at the time to be the sleekest automobile body shape seen anywhere and at anytime on the globe. Performance was considered mind numbing - 150 miles per hour top speed with 0 to 100 miles per hour in an extraordinary 16 seconds. A driver could accelerate from 0 to 130 miles per hour in less than 30 seconds.
It is no accident that the Jaguar XK series has gone on to be an automobile classic - both in terms of innovative styling, performance and handling.
(ArticlesBase SC #442533)
Article Tags:
Service
,car
,auto
,Classic
,dealer
,cars
,Automobile
,Corvette
,vintage
,Jaguar
,sportscar
,carguy
,carbuff
Jaguar XF - Performance Race
Supercar reviews and tests. This auto video will focus on the Jaguar XF performance race. (03:16)
Jaguar XFR Race Lap
Supercar reviews and tests. This auto video will focus on the Jaguar XFR race lap. (04:35)
Lincoln MKS vs. Jaguar XF
Supercar reviews and tests. This auto video will focus on Lincoln MKS vs. Jaguar XF. (02:17)
Top 10 Cars of the 2009 LA Auto Show
For Day 2 at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, we take a look at our Top 10 Cars. Also, we take a look at what Bob Shubin has say about some brands. Hosted by Derek DeAngelis. Fast Lane Daily's Top 10 of the L.A. Auto Show 10: Mazda 2 9: Audi R8 Spyder 8: Chevrolet Cruze 7: Cadillac CTS Coupe 6: Dodge Viper 5: Lexus LF-A 4: Jaguar XJ 3: Mercedes SLS Gullwing 2: Porsche Boxster Spyder 1: Ford Fiesta Honorable Mentions 1: Volkswagen UpLite Concept 2: MINI Coupe Concept (12:55)
The Jaguar XKR
This automotive video shows you the profile of the Jaguar XKR with all it's features. (01:40)
If you drive a Cadillac DTS, you should consider getting a Cadillac DTS extended warranty. If you are an American resident, use the link below to get a FREE quote for an extended warranty for your Cadillac. Cadillac DTS Extended Warranty - Get A Free Quote on Cadillac DTS Extended Warranty:
If you drive a Audi A3, you should consider getting a Audi A3 extended warranty. If you are an American resident, use the link below to get a FREE quote for an extended warranty for your Audi. Audi A3 Extended Warranty - Get A Free Quote on Audi A3 Extended Warranty:
If you drive a Audi A4, you should consider getting a Audi A4 extended warranty. If you are an American resident, use the link below to get a FREE quote for an extended warranty for your Audi. Audi A4 Extended Warranty - Get A Free Quote on Audi A4 Extended Warranty:
If you drive a Acura Integra, you should consider getting a Acura Integra extended warranty. If you are an American resident, use the link below to get a FREE quote for an extended warranty for your Acura. Acura Integra Extended Warranty - Get A Free Quote on Acura Integra Extended Warranty:
While the benefits of owning a car can be mostly pleasurable, the counterpart in maintaining it can be really tasking. If you are a car owner, you need to be meticulous when caring for your car parts and accessories. You need to check out if everything is working just fine. One part of the maintenance is ensuring that you have a well-cleaned and clear windshield and car windows.
When choosing a BMX bike there are some very important points to consider. Firstly, unless the buyer has a firm preference or specialist knowledge regarding a particular BMX discipline, it is probably wise to opt for a BMX bike that can perform a number of functions adequately well.
Motor Repair is a work of intricacies and requires right assistance. Servo Motor Repair, Flender Repair offers repair services, gearbox repairs of highest quality.
Do you need a Toyota Prius battery replacement? Find out how and where to get the cheapest hybrid battery replacement for your Toyota Prius!
Trading or upgrading your auto. An Auto trader? The number stamped on the drivers side of your new vehicle's dash can sure help you out a great amount in identifying the car, truck or vehicle , its past history , travels and origins - whether if be a domestic auto product...
Fluid leaks on automobiles - whether it is your new car, SUV truck or van can be downright frustrating and costly. Few problems on modern vehicles can be downright as pesky and expensive - whether it the alarm and concern that fluid leaks can create to many novice and first...
Summer time is coming. Summer is just around the corner. So will be summer heat and breakdowns of automotive air conditioning systems - perhaps either yours or those of other motorists and vehicle owners. It's not just as easy to work on an automotive air conditioning system as "opening the fridge"....
There were a whole host of different and varied sports cars and even motorcycles that arrived in the US after World War II. To this day their very names elucidate a passion among enthusiasts - be it Triumph, MG, Austin-Cooper, Lotus, Austin-Healey, Mini-Cooper or in the world of British motorcycles...
Rust rust rust . Live long enough and it will eat your vehicle alive leaving your car, truck , SUV or truck in one tangled ugly and perhaps unsafe in any roadworthy means . Rust is ugly and disfiguring to your automotive vehicle. What is rust and how it can...
Father winter is on its way or partially here. Not only that but you can count on it for the weather to get colder and colder as winter progresses. If your car is having difficulty now - what will happen when the cold Manitoba winter sets in? Lots of luck. Just...
Is the engine in your car or late model truck worth rebuilding? Is the time , trouble and expense worth it or should you check one of other alternatives available to you such as a used engine , a full or partial professional rebuild or a factory service like rebuild...
Automobile vehicle seller - ensure that you make out a proper bill of sale. It takes an extra bit of time to ensure that your documentation is in proper and correct out but in the end anything is plain foolish, sloppy and just "false economy". It's not unlike the...
0