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Photo of a Jaguar Mark 2

Jaguar Mark 2

The 220 hp 3.8: 201 km/h for cops and getaway crews.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • Bank robbers’ carsShared with the Mark 1: room for a crew and loot, plus enough speed to outrun typical Wolseley police cars.3

At a glance

0150300
120–220 hpPower
01020
8.5–17.3 s0–100 km/h
0125250
154.5–201 km/hTop speed

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.12411

Engine
2.4, 3.4 or 3.8 L DOHC XK inline-six; factory hp quoted gross245
Layout
Front-engine, RWD; wishbone front, live rear axle3910
Gearbox
4-speed manual, optional overdrive; 3-speed Borg Warner automatic4
Built at
Coventry, England2
Units built
Mark 2: 83,701; 240: 4,446; 340: 2,80018

The story

Built to fill the gap for a fast, refined compact luxury sedan, the Mark 2 arrived in 1959 with a unitary body, four-wheel disc brakes and a new 3.8-liter XK option.245

1952: Project Utah takes the unitary route19521959: October 2: the Mark 2 is unveiled19591960: April: the Mark 2 goes racing19601962: Bob Jane wins Australia's touring title19621963: Four Monza records for the 3.819631967: 240 and 340 replace the Mark 219671968: The 340 bows out in September19681969: April closes the 240 chapter1969 SS 1: 1931–1936SS Jaguar: 1936–1940Jaguar Mark IV: 1945–1949Jaguar 2.4/3.4 Litre (Mark 1): 1955–1959Jaguar 240: 1967–1969Jaguar 340: 1967–1968Jaguar XJ6: Introduced 1968Jaguar XJ6 1930194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones28192021
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1931–1936SS 1
1936–1940SS Jaguar
1945–1949Jaguar Mark IV
1955–1959Jaguar 2.4/3.4 Litre (Mark 1)
1967–1969Jaguar 240
1967–1968Jaguar 340
Introduced 1968Jaguar XJ6
1952Project Utah takes the unitary route
1959October 2: the Mark 2 is unveiled
1960April: the Mark 2 goes racing
1962Bob Jane wins Australia's touring title
1963Four Monza records for the 3.8
1967240 and 340 replace the Mark 2
1968The 340 bows out in September
1969April closes the 240 chapter
  1. 1952

    Project Utah takes the unitary route

    Project Utah began for the Mark 1. William Lyons styled it; Bill Thornton and Cyril Crouch engineered the unitary body, while Bob Knight tackled noise and vibration.3

  2. 1959

    October 2: the Mark 2 is unveiled

    An 18% increase in glass area joined standard four-wheel discs and the new 3.8-liter XK option.25

  3. 1960

    April: the Mark 2 goes racing

    The competition debut came in April. Coombs-modified 3.8s raced with Roy Salvadori; power steering joined the road-car options in September.46

  4. 1962

    Bob Jane wins Australia's touring title

    Bob Jane won the Australian Touring Car Championship in a 3.8-liter Mark 2, then repeated in 1963 with a 4.1-liter engine.2

  5. 1963

    Four Monza records for the 3.8

    The 3.8 set four Class C endurance records at Monza. Peter Nöcker also took the European Touring Car Challenge title after a five-way points tie.247

  6. 1967

    240 and 340 replace the Mark 2

    Straight-port heads and twin SUs gave the 240 133 hp. Slim bumpers and Ambla trim arrived; a few 340s had special-order 3.8-liter engines.8

  7. 1968

    The 340 bows out in September

    After 2,800 cars, the 340 ended as the XJ6 arrived; the 240 carried on.28

  8. 1969

    April closes the 240 chapter

    The 240 lasted until April, with 4,446 built. Jaguar then focused on the XJ range.8

Every generation

  • SS 1
    SS 11931–1936
  • SS Jaguar
    SS Jaguar1936–1940
  • Jaguar Mark IV
    Jaguar Mark IV1945–1949
  • Jaguar 2.4/3.4 Litre (Mark 1)
    Jaguar 2.4/3.4 Litre (Mark 1)1955–1959
  • Jaguar 240
    Jaguar 2401967–1969
  • Jaguar 340
    Jaguar 3401967–1968
  • Jaguar XJ6
    Jaguar XJ6Introduced 1968

Power over the years

From 120 hp to 220 hp in 0 years.

0100200300 195819601962196419661968 hp 1959 · 120 hp · 2.4-liter Mark 21959 · 210 hp · 3.4-liter Mark 21959 · 220 hp · 3.8-liter Mark 21967 · 133 hp · 2401967 · 210 hp · 340 220 hp 3.8-liter Mark 2 120 hp 2.4-liter Mark 2
468
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19591202.4-liter Mark 2
19592103.4-liter Mark 2
19592203.8-liter Mark 2
1967133240
1967210340

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Mark 2 2.4

    Standard

    Mark 2 2.4

    1959–1967

    120 hp

    26,322 built

  • Mark 2 3.4

    Standard

    Mark 2 3.4

    1959–1967

    210 hp

    29,531 built

  • Mark 2 3.8

    Performance

    Mark 2 3.8

    1959–1967

    220 hp

    27,848 built

  • Standard

    240

    1967–1969

    133 hp

    4,446 built

  • Standard

    340

    1967–1968

    210 hp

    2,800 built

  • Daimler 2.5 V8 / V8-250

    Standard

    Daimler 2.5 V8 / V8-250

    1962–1969

    142 hp

  • Performance

    Coombs Mark 2 3.8

  • Special

    Vicarage Mark 2 / drophead

  • Beacham Mark 2

    Special

    Beacham Mark 2

  • Special

    340 3.8 (special order)

  • Special

    Mark 2 County estate

    1962

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • A broad windshield sits between slender front pillars.2
  • The rear screen curves around toward the side windows.2
  • D-shaped rear quarter windows give the cabin a distinctive outline.3
  • Chrome frames outline all the side windows.2

Year by year

  1. 1959

    Mark 2 brings deeper side windows, a larger windshield and wraparound rear glass, plus a redesigned grille and lights.5

  2. September 1967

    240/340: slimmer bumpers, revised hubcaps and chromed grilles replacing the fog and spot lamps.8

Don’t confuse it with

  • Jaguar Mark 1

    Look for the Mark 2's slimmer pillars, fully chromed window frames and rear glass that wraps toward the side windows.2

  • Daimler 2.5 V8 / V8-250

    The Daimler has a fluted grille and trunk plinth, plus Daimler script on the trunk lid.212

  • Photo of a Jaguar Mark 2
    Mark 2
    Photo of a Jaguar S-Type
    Jaguar S-Type

    Jaguar S-Type

    Look for its longer, flatter roof, more upright rear window and restyled rear body.4

Against its rivals

  • Aston Martin DB4

    Mark 2 vs Aston Martin DB4

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Mark 28.5 s
    Aston Martin DB48.5 s
    22

Prices

Value today $14.0K–$34.5K13

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 1960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $14,000–$34,500 1959 · $4,295 · UK base 2.4; £1≈$2.801959 · $4,673 · UK base 3.4; £1≈$2.801959 · $4,981 · UK base 3.8; £1≈$2.801961 · $5,463 · UK 3.4 auto, tax in; £1≈$2.801967 · $4,939 · UK 3.8 with extras; £1≈$2.801967 · $3,822 · UK base 240; £1≈$2.801967 · $3,982 · UK base 340; £1≈$2.801969 · $3,276 · UK 240; £1≈$2.40 2013 · $45,427 · 1962 3.4, 87,403 mi; £1≈$1.56, London2025 · $40,000 · 1961 3.8 4-speed, 54k miles shown, BaT2025 · $54,000 · 1963 3.8 4-speed, BaT2026 · $14,000 · 1962 3.8 manual OD, 57k mi shown; worn paint, BaT2026 · $59,360 · 1960 Beacham supercharged V8 conversion, The Hershey Auction2026 · $50,750 · 1963 3.8 4-speed, 9k miles shown (TMU), BaT $59.4K The Hershey Auction, 2026
12481016262728
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1959Price when new$4,295UK base 2.4; £1≈$2.80
1959Price when new$4,673UK base 3.4; £1≈$2.80
1959Price when new$4,981UK base 3.8; £1≈$2.80
1961Price when new$5,463UK 3.4 auto, tax in; £1≈$2.80
1967Price when new$4,939UK 3.8 with extras; £1≈$2.80
1967Price when new$3,822UK base 240; £1≈$2.80
1967Price when new$3,982UK base 340; £1≈$2.80
1969Price when new$3,276UK 240; £1≈$2.40
2013Auction sale$45,4271962 3.4, 87,403 mi; £1≈$1.56, London
2025Auction sale$40,0001961 3.8 4-speed, 54k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$54,0001963 3.8 4-speed, BaT
2026Auction sale$14,0001962 3.8 manual OD, 57k mi shown; worn paint, BaT
2026Auction sale$59,3601960 Beacham supercharged V8 conversion, The Hershey Auction
2026Auction sale$50,7501963 3.8 4-speed, 9k miles shown (TMU), BaT
2026Value today$14,000–$34,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Four Monza records in four days”
    • “Bob Jane's double Australian crown”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  2. Jaguar Mark 2 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. A Brief History of the Jaguar Mark II - The British Bank Robber's Favourite Getaway Car silodrome.com
  4. Motoring News - Jaguar Mk2 And Original S-Type saloon Car heritage - 20 October 1998 cwn.org.uk
  5. Jaguar Mk2 turns 65- Jaguar Drivers' Club News jaguardriver.co.uk
  6. Jaguar Mk1, Mk2, 240 & 340 Buying Guide - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  7. 1963 European Touring Car Challenge - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  9. Jaguar Mark 2 Was, Is a Revelation roadandtrack.com
  10. 1962 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4-Litre Saloon | London 2013 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  11. Jaguar Mk2 buyer's guide - Goodwood Classic Solutions insurance.goodwood.com
  12. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust jaguarheritage.com
  13. Jaguar Mk2 values: what they sell for at auction britishclassiccars.co.uk
  14. Coombs Jaguar Mark 2 - Auctions roadandtrack.com
  15. Marshall Jaguar Oxford are proud to showcase a very special 1967 Jaguar MK II. | Cambridge, Cheltenham & Gloucester, Ipswich, Leicester, Lincoln, Oxford & Swindon | Marshall Jaguar marshall.co.uk
  16. 1960 Jaguar Mark 2 Saloon 'Custom' by Beacham | The Hershey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  17. Jaguar Mark 2 by Callum Review - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  18. Ian Callum’s Jaguar Mark 2 driven - picture special | Autocar images.cdn.autocar.co.uk
  19. SS 1 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Jaguar Mark IV - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Jaguar Mark 1 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Cops, Robbers, Or Otherwise, A Jaguar Mark 2 Stakes Many Claims - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  23. 1963 Jaguar Mk2 Tour de France artcurial.com
  24. Answer to: What car does Inspector Morse drive in the books and TV show? wholemap.com
  25. Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed Car List | Forza forza.net
  26. No Reserve: Three-Decades-Owned 1962 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $14,000 on September 28, 2026 (Lot #265,352) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 1963 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $50,750 on September 9, 2026 (Lot #262,337) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 21-Years-Owned 1961 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $37,000 on May 7, 2025 (Lot #190,777) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • jaguarheritage.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • silodrome.com
  • cwn.org.uk
  • jaguardriver.co.uk
  • petrolicious.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • insurance.goodwood.com
  • britishclassiccars.co.uk
  • marshall.co.uk
  • motortrend.com
  • images.cdn.autocar.co.uk
  • artcurial.com

Photo credits

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