Jaguar Mark VIII
Encyclopedia
The Jaguar Mark VIII is a large four-door sports sedan introduced by the Jaguar company of Coventry
at the 1956 London Motor Show.
, which outwardly it closely resembled. However, the interior fittings were more luxurious than those of the Mark VII. Distinguishing visually between the models is facilitated by changes to the front grill, the driving or fog lamps being moved from the front panel to the horizontal panel between bumper & front panel, larger rear lamps and most obviously a curved chrome trim strip below the waistline which allowed the factory to offer a variety of two-tone paint schemes. In addition the new car had rear spats that were cut back to display more of the rear wheels and featured a one-piece slightly curved windscreen, where the Mark VII had incorporated a two-piece front screen of flat glass.
that appeared two years earlier. In the Mark VIII, supported by twin SU carburetors
, and employing a manual four-speed transmission, advertised engine output was now increased to 210 bhp:
the claimed top speed in excess of 106 mph (170 km/h) was considered impressive, given the car's bulk. Transmission options included overdrive
or a Borg Warner three-speed automatic box.
.
.
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
at the 1956 London Motor Show.
The body
The car shared its 10 feet (3.05 m) wheelbase with its predecessor, the Jaguar Mark VIIJaguar Mark VII
The Jaguar Mark VII was a large four-door sports sedan launched by Jaguar Cars of Coventry at the 1950 London Motor Show. It replaced the Jaguar Mark V, but as there was a Bentley Mark VI already on the market, Jaguar decided to call the next model Mark VII...
, which outwardly it closely resembled. However, the interior fittings were more luxurious than those of the Mark VII. Distinguishing visually between the models is facilitated by changes to the front grill, the driving or fog lamps being moved from the front panel to the horizontal panel between bumper & front panel, larger rear lamps and most obviously a curved chrome trim strip below the waistline which allowed the factory to offer a variety of two-tone paint schemes. In addition the new car had rear spats that were cut back to display more of the rear wheels and featured a one-piece slightly curved windscreen, where the Mark VII had incorporated a two-piece front screen of flat glass.
Engine and running gear
The Mark VIII inherited from its predecessor the 3442 cc straight-six engine which it shared with the Jaguar XK140Jaguar XK140
The Jaguar XK140 is a sports car manufactured by Jaguar between 1954 and 1957, the successor to Jaguar's highly successful XK120. Upgrades included better brakes, rack and pinion steering, increased suspension travel and modern tube type shock absorbers instead of the older lever arm...
that appeared two years earlier. In the Mark VIII, supported by twin SU carburetors
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, and employing a manual four-speed transmission, advertised engine output was now increased to 210 bhp:
the claimed top speed in excess of 106 mph (170 km/h) was considered impressive, given the car's bulk. Transmission options included overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
or a Borg Warner three-speed automatic box.
Commercial
After a two year production run of 6,227 units the Mark VIII was replaced by the Jaguar Mark IXJaguar Mark IX
The Jaguar Mark IX is a large luxury saloon car produced by Jaguar Cars between 1959 and 1961. It replaced the previous Mark VIII, and differed little in exterior appearance except for the new model name...
.
Media appearance
A green example featured prominently in the Alfred Hitchcock film VertigoVertigo (film)
Vertigo is a 1958 psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes. The screenplay was written by Alec Coppel and Samuel A...
.