Joe and Mark, Another great episode and as usual, there's always something to be learned. I owned a Mark 2 Jag and was incorrect in believing they were the first with four wheel disc brakes, especially as the warning triangle in the centre of the rear bumper highlighted the feature. Now I know that the Jaguar 3.4 was available with disc brakes as an option. As for the early Moss gearbox, sure it's a slow old thing but its distinctive whine in first gear was something I always I enjoyed. Although the Mark 2 has always been the desirable model in Australia, at least it was possible to find cars that weren't too badly rusted if you searched. I used to shudder at some of the English magazine articles showing the restoration of cars with rust in areas we'd never experience. Knowing the characteristics of the Jaguar steering boxes, I marvel at those who managed to successfully race the Jags. However the noise made by a Jaguar six being worked hard is an awesome sound. Steve
Joe & Mark, Thank you for another great expose, I've always liked Jags and have a soft spot for Mk1's but unfortunately have never had anything to do with one. Another series with a great pedigree worthy of review are the big Jags of the same era - Mk 7 / 7M / 8 / 9, I'll leave that with you to consider. I look forward to your next installment!
I owned the grey (Mk I) 3.4 in the photos for a short time and a (Series II) E-Type some years before that. From owner experience, there is no comparison between the manual gearboxes in a Jaguar fitted with the early Moss gearbox and the later cars that came with the new Jaguar all synchro gearbox. Early E-Types had the same Moss gearbox as my Mk I and it operated like the vintage gearbox that it was and even sounded like one so I can relate to MBnut's experience. The narrow track E-Types are a very different handling proposition to the wide track Series III and I can remember being equally circumspect in applying too much grunt going around corners in the Series II until I was sure of the surface beneath me. As for whether a 3.4 is a Mark One or not, I do say in the above segment that it was applied retrospectively. This is often brought up by those who are well aware that all literature at the time referred to it as a 2.4 or 3.4 - yet Jaguar's naming of the later version as the Mark 2/II by definition is a clear indicator that the company regarded its predecessor as the Mark I. Using the same logic, there is no such model as an MGA Mk I, MGB Mk I or E-Type Series I or for that matter, a GT-HO Phase I. I don't believe it's unreasonable for enthusiasts to refer to the earlier version of any Mark II, Series II or Phase II as a Mark I, Series I or Phase I if the manufacturer by default has included that model as part of the series. I also like the way that some models are given the term Series I 1/2 or Phase 1 1/2 by owner groups to highlight critical running changes that can make a real difference in value and desirability. In this case, when there are so many other 3.4 Jaguars, the use of Mk I is a very clear and succinct identifier for the only Mk I version that could have preceded the factory Mk II.
I worked for a Jaguar service centre for many years. Properly cared for and serviced they were and are a very good car. Definately built for driver comfort and a good touring car. My "E Type" V12 on the freeway purred like a kitten, at 100kl per hour I would slip it into top gear, she squatted in the bum and took off. She loved the freeways and was safe to drive. Comfort plus. All good memories.
I had an e-type in the 60's and it was the worst car I have ever owned would not go around corners under power I even put Avon tyres on to help but to no avail and the long pull from 1st to 2nd took me about 3 months to change without grinding the gears but a great chick magnet my favourite Jag was the 3.8 with wire wheels but never owned one the E scared me off jags forever.
Great to see the mark one (or more correctly the Jaguar 3.4) featured and given the recognition it deserves. My 3.4 always attracts attention and memories wherever I race in QLD and last year in Newcastle.
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Comments
stevesah3000
Joe and Mark,
Another great episode and as usual, there's always something to be learned. I owned a Mark 2 Jag and was incorrect
in believing they were the first with four wheel disc brakes, especially as the warning triangle in the centre of the rear
bumper highlighted the feature. Now I know that the Jaguar 3.4 was available with disc brakes as an option.
As for the early Moss gearbox, sure it's a slow old thing but its distinctive whine in first gear was something I always I
enjoyed. Although the Mark 2 has always been the desirable model in Australia, at least it was possible to find cars that
weren't too badly rusted if you searched. I used to shudder at some of the English magazine articles showing the
restoration of cars with rust in areas we'd never experience. Knowing the characteristics of the Jaguar steering boxes,
I marvel at those who managed to successfully race the Jags. However the noise made by a Jaguar six being worked hard is
an awesome sound.
Steve
JoeKenwright
I agree - I am sure that the Mk VII dynasty had a formidable racing history as well.
AussieMick62
Joe & Mark,
Thank you for another great expose, I've always liked Jags and have a soft spot for Mk1's but unfortunately have never had anything to do with one. Another series with a great pedigree worthy of review are the big Jags of the same era - Mk 7 / 7M / 8 / 9, I'll leave that with you to consider.
I look forward to your next installment!
JoeKenwright
I owned the grey (Mk I) 3.4 in the photos for a short time and a (Series II) E-Type some years before that. From owner experience, there is no comparison between the manual gearboxes in a Jaguar fitted with the early Moss gearbox and the later cars that came with the new Jaguar all synchro gearbox. Early E-Types had the same Moss gearbox as my Mk I and it operated like the vintage gearbox that it was and even sounded like one so I can relate to MBnut's experience. The narrow track E-Types are a very different handling proposition to the wide track Series III and I can remember being equally circumspect in applying too much grunt going around corners in the Series II until I was sure of the surface beneath me. As for whether a 3.4 is a Mark One or not, I do say in the above segment that it was applied retrospectively. This is often brought up by those who are well aware that all literature at the time referred to it as a 2.4 or 3.4 - yet Jaguar's naming of the later version as the Mark 2/II by definition is a clear indicator that the company regarded its predecessor as the Mark I. Using the same logic, there is no such model as an MGA Mk I, MGB Mk I or E-Type Series I or for that matter, a GT-HO Phase I. I don't believe it's unreasonable for enthusiasts to refer to the earlier version of any Mark II, Series II or Phase II as a Mark I, Series I or Phase I if the manufacturer by default has included that model as part of the series. I also like the way that some models are given the term Series I 1/2 or Phase 1 1/2 by owner groups to highlight critical running changes that can make a real difference in value and desirability. In this case, when there are so many other 3.4 Jaguars, the use of Mk I is a very clear and succinct identifier for the only Mk I version that could have preceded the factory Mk II.
Robertogales
RobertoGales
I worked for a Jaguar service centre for many years. Properly cared for and serviced they were and are a very good car. Definately built for driver comfort and a good touring car. My "E Type" V12 on the freeway purred like a kitten, at 100kl per hour I would slip it into top gear, she squatted in the bum and took off. She loved the freeways and was safe to drive. Comfort plus. All good memories.
MBnut
I had an e-type in the 60's and it was the worst car I have ever owned would not go around corners under power I even put Avon tyres on to help but to no avail and the long pull from 1st to 2nd took me about 3 months to change without grinding the gears but a great chick magnet my favourite Jag was the 3.8 with wire wheels but never owned one the E scared me off jags forever.
Maximillian
Great to see the mark one (or more correctly the Jaguar 3.4) featured and given the recognition it deserves. My 3.4 always attracts attention and memories wherever I race in QLD and last year in Newcastle.
Motown1
Great episode and one of the best looking English sedans ever IMO