Description
Jaguar XJ Hardcover book (fragment of text)
In 2022, the British company Jaguar celebrated its 100th anniversary. Over a century of history, the masters from Coventry have shown the world many bright and original models.
The XJ sedans hold a special place among them, as well as similar models produced under the Daimler brand. The emergence of the famous Jaguar brand was preceded by William Lyons and William Walmsley opening the Swallow Sidecar company in 1922, where they set up production of motorcycle sidecars with a graceful streamlined shape.
The business turned out to be profitable, and the companions decided to expand it by starting production of car bodies. Their first contract for the new product type was signed with Austin. The debut in 1927 of the small Austin Seven with a Swallow Sidecar body attracted great interest from customers, and other automakers became interested in the company’s services.
At some point, the small firm’s capacity became insufficient for full-scale work on all its projects, so the firm moved to industrialized Coventry. In its new place, the work was hopping with redoubled vigor.
The entrepreneurs’ enthusiasm was rewarded by a major contract with Standard to produce the Standard- Swallow sedan. After William Walmsley left the company in the fall of 1934, Lyons embarked on his ambitious plans to build cars of his own design, and the company was renamed SS Cars Ltd.
The team was soon joined by talented engineers William Heynes and Harry Weslake. The combined efforts of Lyons, Heynes, and Weslake created the SS Jaguar 2.5, which was shown to the public at the London Motor Show in September 1935.
The new car’s radiator grill was decorated with the figure of a jumping jaguar. Buyers were offered two 4-seat body styles – sedan and convertible – and later the 2-seat SS Jaguar 100 roadster was added to the line-up.
The company’s products continued to improve and the number of grateful fans increased rapidly until the outbreak of World War II. During the war years, the factory in Coventry was converted to produce products for the needs of the army and navy, and at the end of the war, car production was restored as soon as possible.
In March 1945, SS Cars Ltd. was renamed Jaguar Cars Ltd. and the company’s cars were given the now well-known Jaguar name. Attractive design, modern powerful engines, and success on the racetrack have allowed Jaguar to take its rightful place on the automotive pedestal.
To expand production capacity, William Lyons bought out Daimler, which was also based in Coventry, from BSA Holding, Britain’s oldest automaker. The landmark deal took place in May 1960.
By the late 1960s, Jaguar was able to expand the range of models offered in different market segments. One of the key new products was the Jaguar XJ luxury sedan, which was also produced under the Daimler brand.
The new car embodied the best qualities of the British manufacturer and became the basis for several generations of cars. The last XJ sedan rolled off the assembly line in 2019.
Read the continuation of Jaguar XJ story in the book.
Other books about history of Jaguar:
