Jaguar History - A Photo History of Jaguar Cars
Jaguar car pictures illustrating the history of Jaguar automobiles, from its beginning with high performance (for their times) sports/racing cars through the building of fine saloon cars and back to their roots of some of the best sports cars ever made.
Jaguar History - 1922
The Swallow Sidecar Company is founded by Sir William Lyons and William Walmsley in Blackpool, England to build sidecars for motorcycles.
1926
The company begins automobile body manufacturing, making attractive and luxurious coachword for popular makes including the Austin Seven, Morris, Standard, Fiat, Swift, and Cowley.
1927
Lyons decided to build a more stylish body for the Austin chassis and the Austin-7 was introduced.
1931
As sales increased the company moved to Coventry. At the London Motor Show of 1931, the SS class was launched, costing less than £350. The "Sidecar" part of the company's title is dropped and the company begins production of complete automobiles named the SS Model I and SS Model II. These cars were built until 1936.
1934
William Walmsley left the company.
1935
Lyons changes the company name to "Jaguar" and the cars now are named the SS Jaguar. The SS Jaguar saloon and drophead coupe were made from 1936 to 1940. Sometimes referred to as the Mark IV, they were a refinement of the model SS 1 series. 1938 was the first of the all steel pressed bodies.
1937
Jaguar entered a team of three factory SS Jaguar in the prestigious RAC Rally of 1937, unfortunately, someone driving an SS100 won the race.
1939
1939 Jaguar Photo Gallery1945
When production was resumed after the war, the company was renamed to Jaguar Cars Ltd. and all subsequent cars carried the brand name of "Jaguar".
1948
Jaguar introduced the XK 120 Roadster at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. The car had a top speed of 120 mph and became renown for its superb road holding and styling plus a smooth ride.
1948 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1949
1949 Jaguar Photo Gallery1950
1950's - Jaguar had reached a point in its history of selling only luxury and sports cars. The company also sold a great deal of its cars abroad.
1950 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1951
The first XK120 Coupe is built.
1952
1952 Jaguar Photo Gallery1953
1953 Jaguar Photo Gallery1954
1954 Jaguar Photo Gallery1955
Jaguar introduced the Jaguar MK I to broaden its market at home and the XK140 roadster is introduced.
1955 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1957
1957 Jaguar Photo Gallery1958
1958 Jaguar Photo Gallery1959
The MK I was redesigned as the MK II with a larger glass area and new dash. It was an instant success.
1959 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1960
1960 Jaguar Photo Gallery1961
The Jaguar E-Type was launched and became an instant classic. The car was in huge demand from 1961-75, to begin with the company struggled to meet orders. In all, 74000 cars were sold. Some say the best Jag ever made, and the old XK engine now 13 years old, was still used in the early E-Types. The 4.2 Series 1 are generally considered the best.
The Jaguar company buys the English Daimler company.
1961 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1962
1962 Jaguar Photo Gallery1963
1963 Jaguar Photo Gallery1964
1964 Jaguar Photo Gallery1966
Jaguar Cars Ltd merged with BMC resulting in BMH.
1966 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1967
1967 Jaguar Photo Gallery1968
BMH merges with Leyland/Rover forming BLMC.
1968 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1969
1969 Jaguar Photo Gallery1970
1970 Jaguar Photo Gallery1974
1974 Jaguar Photo Gallery1984
Jaguar and Daimler seperate from the declining government consortium BL Ltd., forming a private company.
1985
Sir William Lyons died.
1986
1986 Jaguar Photo Gallery1987
1987 Jaguar Photo Gallery1989
The Ford Motor Company purchases the Jaguar company.
1989 Jaguar Photo Gallery
1994
1994 Jaguar Photo Gallery1995
1995 Jaguar Photo Gallery1999
Ford Motor Company forms a new division under the name Premier Automotive Group to include the brands Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar, Daimler, Aston Martin, and in 2000, Land Rover.
2000 Jaguar Photo Gallery
2006 Jaguar Photo Gallery
2000 Jaguar Photo Gallery