Archive for the ‘Jaguar’ category

Pedigree of the Jaguar XKE Series 2

August 6th, 2011
Jaguar XKE Series 2

Jaguar XKE Series 2

Manufactured by legendary British automobile company Jaguar, the Jaguar XKE Series 2 remains highly popular to this day in automotive circles. The Jaguar XKE Series 2′s good looks, excellent performance, competitive pricing and easily handling resulted in impressive sales figures and a lengthy production run of nearly 15 years.

The upgraded version of a two seat sports car, the Jaguar XKE Series 2 refined many times throughout its production. The unique characteristics of Jaguar XKE Series 2 were open headlights without glass covers, a wrap-around near bumper, repositioned larger front indicator, and tail lights positioned below the bumper. Later on in the Jaguar XKE Series 2′s life cycle upgraded brakes, a better cooling system and twin electric radiator fan were installed.

Not all of the modifications were universally admired, however. Some XKE owners claimed that the modifications made the car slower, albeit smoother to drive. Such criticism, although commonplace at the time, did not take into account the fact that Jaguar at the time were struggling with meeting changing auto safety and emissions regulations in the U.S. The company was scrambling to retool its entire production line to meet new U.S. regulations, while at the same time devoting resources to developing its high-volume sedan business.

As they did with the legendary Jaguar XK 120 of the late ’40s, the XKE Series 2 was designed primarily as a high-end, high performance road car. The car’s design, beauty, extraordinary performance, charged up mechanical specification earned it rave reviews made it a star virtually overnight. The Jaguar XKE Series 2 achieved much of it popularity for its excellent performance on the race track and ranked highly in terms of customer satisfaction. » Read more: Pedigree of the Jaguar XKE Series 2

The Jaguar C Type

August 6th, 2011
The Jaguar C Type

The Jaguar C Type

Jaguar has been setting impressive benchmarks in the design and creation of some of the most beautiful and powerful sports cars in history. It was founded in 1922 as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars – hence, the name, Swallow Sidecar Company – and then transformed throughout the decades into becoming one of Britain’s most prominent luxury carmakers today. Anywhere in the world, a Jaguar for sale attracts the utmost attention from many car enthusiasts as well as anyone looking to own a high-performing automobile.

One of the brand’s most notable creations was the Jaguar C-Type. Only 52 units of it were made throughout the duration of its production between 1951 to 1953. With its make having been based on that of the Jaguar XK120, the C-Type is also referred to as the XK120-C. The XK120 was the first in Jaguar’s line of post-war sports cars. It was also the top production car in 1948 and became the most sought-after brand of convertibles in that era. Manufacturing of this model ceased in 1954.

The C-Type engine was designed to produce up to over 200 bhp, a huge improvement over its predecessor’s performance set at just 180 bhp. C-Types are known for the use of lightweight frames, Weber carburetors, and aluminum bodies that sported the best aerodynamic technology at the time. They were also twice as expensive as the XK120, with each car being sold at around $6,000 in the early 50′s.

Prestige for the C-Type was heavily influenced by its superb showing in motorsports. It won its maiden race for Le Mans in 1951 while another XK120 placed 11th. The following year appeared promising but modifications to the car’s aerodynamics resulted to other problems with the car. No C-Type finished that year due to overheating and disastrous mechanical failure. 1953 proved to be a much better year for Jaguar. They did not only win the race but set a speed record that surpassed all others in the history of Le Mans. The following year, the C-Type placed fourth, ending its stint in racing with much accolade. Succeeding races until 1957 utilized the Jaguar D-Type. » Read more: The Jaguar C Type