The Jaguar Mk V 1948-1951 |
| Years |
1948-51 |
| Notes |
New post second war model to replace the prewar SS
Jaguar models which had been produced from 1937-1939 and manufactured again from 1945 as
Jaguars (after the name change of the company from SS cars to Jaguar Cars.
After the war, every manufacturer, including Jaguar, was keen to produce exciting new
models, and the Jaguar management had in mind a new flagship saloon. This however took
longer to design and produce than they would have liked, and did not finally appear until
1950 (see the MK VII section). This new model was to feature an all new engine,
chassis and updated bodywork. An interim model was needed to sustain buyer interest, so
Jaguar took the new chassis they had designed, and clothed it with mildly updated
bodywork. The new engine still needed further development work at that time, so they
retained the pre-war Standard Motor company based engines in 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 litre
capacity. The new chassis featured an independent front suspension and softer rear
springs than the previous design. Overall stiffness was increased markedly. This chassis
went on to become the basis for all the separate chassis Jaguars, lasting until 1961. The
same chassis in shortened form was also used for the new XK120
which also made its first appearance in 1948. The XK120 also became the test bed for the
new XK engine. (the reason the XK120 could feature the XK engine, whereas the MK V could
not, was that the MK V was a production model, whereas the XK120 was initially conceived
as a low production hand built model)Despite being very close in appearance to the
pre-war SS Jaguars, in fact the body was entirely new, and the interior was also
completely updated, and very luxurious featuring standard leather seating, and a sunroof.
Both models also featured a relatively low production 2 door drophead coupe model, as
had been the case with the prewar models. |
| Description |
4 door sedan (saloon), 2 door drophead coupe |
| Pictures and memorabilia |
 Dr Warwick Carter's 1951 MK V
(by kind permission)
(View more pictures and the story of this car on his web page) |
 |
|
Pictures
of MK V and original roadtest reproduction |
| Engines |
| Model |
Engine |
Bore/Stroke |
Power |
| 2 1/2 -litre |
2663cc 6 cyl overhead valve |
73 x 106 mm |
104 bhp @ 4600 rpm |
| 3 1/2 -litre |
3485cc 6 cyl overhead valve |
82 x 110 mm |
125 bhp @ 4250 rpm |
|
| Carburetors |
| both models |
Twin 1 1/2 inch SU |
|
|
Both engines are versions of the
Standard Motor Company pre-war 6 cylinder, featuring the high performance cylinder head
designed by Weslake. |
| Brakes |
Hydraulic drum (Girling) |
Production
(Various sources differ, slightly) |
| 2 1/2 -litre saloon |
1661 |
|
| 2 1/2 -litre drophead |
29 |
Total 2 1/2 -litre 1690 |
| 3 1/2 -litre saloon |
7831 |
|
| 3 1/2 -litre drophead |
972 |
Total 3 1/2 -litre 8803 |
| All models |
10493 |
|
|
| Weight |
| 2 1/2 -litre |
3650 pounds |
| 3 1/2 -litre |
3700 pounds |
|
| Length |
15 feet 7 inches |
| Height |
5 feet 2 1/2 inches |
| Width |
5 feet 9 inches |
| Top speed |
87 mph (2 1/2 -litre) 97 (3 1/2 -litre) |
| Wheelbase |
120 inches |
| Transmission |
4-speed manual. |
| Suspension |
| Front |
Independent. wishbones and torsion bar |
| Rear |
Live axle, half elliptic leaf springs. |
|
| Chassis Numbers |
| 2 1/2 -litre Sedan |
520001 and up (RHD model)
527001 and up (LHD model) |
| 2 1/2 -litre DHC |
540001 and up (RHD model)
547001 and up (LHD model) |
| 3 1/2 -litre Sedan |
620001 and up (RHD model)
627001 and up (LHD model) |
| 3 1/2 -litre DHC |
640001 and up (RHD model)
647001 and up (LHD model) |
|
| Registry |
An online registry is available at : http://www.jag-lovers.org/saloons/prc/mkvreg.html |
| Standard Equipment |
Leather seats, fog/spot lights.Hub caps, sun roof |
| Options |
No information |