Few marques on the road today have a heritage as rich and distinguished as Jaguar.
That is, when you consider that it was conceived in 1922 by William Lyons, a man whose original vision was to design motorcycle sidecars with his Swallow Sidecar Company.
By 1927, he had progressed to building special-bodied cars, which in 1931 resulted in the launch of the legendary SS1—a car which set the stage for the first true Jaguar. As the range improved and expanded, it needed a name to reflect its speed, power and sleekness and in 1935 the Jaguar name was born.
 During World War II, while concentrating primarily on the manufacture of sidecars for military use, the company also became versed in aircraft design and production techniques. When Jaguar subsequently introduced its new XK120 at the 1948 Motor Show—with an engine output of an unprecedented 160 hp—it was destined to become one of the greatest sports cars of all time.
The Mark VII was unveiled at the 1950 Motor Show and once again Lyons "stole the show."
Jaguar now had a fine reputation, a superb large sedan and a very fine sports car, but it needed a high volume smaller car. In 1955, the company invested millions on designing and developing the Jaguar 2.4 to fill the gap.
After an exploratory trip to Le Mans in 1950, it was realized that Jaguar had the makings of a successful competition car. Consequently Lyons was persuaded that a car should be produced solely with racing in mind. Hence was born the XK120C or, as the car is more generally known, the C-Type.
Three C-Types were finished just in time for Le Mans in 1951. The Jaguars were an unknown quantity, yet the C-Type driven by Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead recorded a remarkable victory on its racing debut.
Meanwhile Jaguar engineers had been working in conjunction with Dunlop on a new development: the disc brake.
This was to be Jaguar´s secret weapon upon their return to Le Mans in 1953. With their fade-free brakes the C-Types could decelerate at the end of the three and a half mile Mulsanne Straight from speeds of around 150 mph with complete confidence, and they could leave their braking far later than their rivals. The result was a complete walkover, the Jaguars finishing first, second and fourth.
If further proof were needed that Jaguar was now a world force and the XK engine a world beater, then the emphatic triumph of ´53, against one of the strongest fields any race had ever seen, provided it. By the end of the decade, Jaguar C-Types, and the D-Types that followed, had achieved a total of five victories at Le Mans.
By the 1960s, Jaguar needed to make another quantum leap forward. The E-Type, announced in 1961, was just that. Like the XK120 in 1948, it was an absolute sensation, perfectly capturing the spirit of its time. A true automotive icon, and arguably the most famous sports car of all time, some 70,000 Jaguar E-Types were built over the next 13 years—with around 60% being shipped to the United States.
In 1968, the XJ6 arrived. It was without question the finest Jaguar sedan yet, and met with instant praise. First and foremost, the shape was another Lyons masterpiece. In an era when cars were starting to lose their character, the Jaguar strongly retained its identity.
In 1972, aged 71, Sir William Lyons retired. Innovation and development continued under Lofty England, and 1975 saw the launch of the XJ-S—a sports coupe and convertible that boasted sedan refinement and quietness. A new era began in 1980, when John Egan was appointed Chairman and Managing Director.
Jaguar soon experienced increased demand, particularly in the United States, and continued to refine many models over the ´80s. Two further Le Mans victories followed, with the XJR-9LM in 1988 and XJR-12 in 1990. By 1989 the Jaguar Board recognized the potential value of collaborating with a world-class car manufacturer. Events moved swiftly and by the end of the year the company was owned by Ford Motor Company Limited.
Throughout the nineties Jaguar underwent a program of modernization and expansion that saw the introduction of the new XK8 and XKR sports coupes and convertibles and the launch of the new mid-sized S-TYPE sports sedan, ensuring that Jaguar would enter the new millennium with record levels of production and the broadest product range in the company´s history.
In February 2001, the new X-TYPE—true to form—became the highlight of the Geneva International Motor Show. While in 2002, the all-new XJ, featuring a revolutionary aluminum body construction, was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show to great acclaim. Worldwide sales of the all-new XK range of sports cars—the most technically advanced Jaguar´s ever built-began in March 2006.
This distinguished heritage continues with every Jaguar: they stay true to Lyons´ original vision of providing drivers with a unique blend of style, luxury and performance.
- Clubs
Jaguar Clubs of North America - Jaguar Club of North America's website with message boards, club information, classified listings, Jaguar and Jaguar club related news and a reference library.
Jaguar Driver's Club UK - The Jaguar Drivers' Club has been servicing the needs of Jaguar owners since 1956. We publish a free monthly full-colour magazine for members, and offer substantial discounts on insurance, AA and RAC cover. There is also full range of club accessories, and free technical advice. The club has a busy events calendar, and register and areas meetings complete the experience. We cater for new Jaguars as well as old. You were meant to belong.
Jaguar Enthusiat's Club UK - The Club was formed in December of 1984 following the need for a Jaguar orientated club specifically geared to the enthusiast who not only used, but maintained or restored their motor car. Our aim is to assist such enthusiasts, in a friendly and informal manner, keep their Jaguars on the road with the minimum of cost. World's largest audited membership. UK-based, JEC's site has extensive resources available.
The Jaguar Driving Club of Australia - Australian National JDC - includes links to their regional chapters. - Forums
Jaguar Clubs of North America
Jaguar World
Jag-Lovers - We support our users by hosting multiple Web Sites and Web-based Forums for the various Jaguar models from 1922 to Today's X-Type and the cancelled F-Type Our News pages carry the latest Jaguar pictures. - Registries
XJR - Registry - This site is for the purpose of preservation, enhancement and promotion of what arguably has been the sexiest, most coveted and rare high performance sedan (saloon) ever produced. Capable of outrageous speed, handling and class, the Jaguar XJR is the epitome of the Jaguar mission statement, “Grace, Space and Genuine Pace.”
XKE Data - The goal to track every XKE
XK Data - The goal to track every XK
Saloon Data - The goal to track every Classic Saloon - Specialty Sites
Jag-Lovers - We support our users by hosting multiple Web Sites and Web-based Forums for the various Jaguar models from 1922 to Today's X-Type and the cancelled F-Type Our News pages carry the latest Jaguar pictures.
Jaguar World - Service
Flying Circus English Cars - Mission: We make it possible for our customers to thoroughly enjoy owning their English cars by catering to their individual needs and offering quality service, repair, restoration, maintenance, parts, accessories, car sales, education and recreation. Durham, NC - Parts
Jaguar Parts Wholesaler - Discover the best in top-quality new and used Jaguar car parts from the professionals at Jaguar Parts Wholesaler. For years Jaguar Parts Wholesaler has been supplying New and Used Jaguar parts to companies who resell these parts to the public. Now starting October of 2006, Jaguar Parts Wholesaler has opened for the public.
Jaguar Parts Wholesaler has thousands of new and used Jaguar parts for your XJ6, XJS, XJ8, XJ12, XK8, XJ40, S-Type, X-Type, two door, four door, however many rebuilt and aftermarket parts also available for other Jaguar models from 1968 and newer. Joshua Tree, CA - Performance Shops
Jaguar Xtreme Performance - With over 25 years of experience, we at Jaguar XP are dedicated to extreme Jaguar performance and styling. As such, it is our goal to provide our customers with top quality, high-end Jaguar parts and accessories.
Jaguar XP is a division of European Auto Enterprises. The website is administrated and supported by some of the most knowledgeable Jaguar mechanics in the field. All featured parts have been tested with the most stringent quality measures. We take pride in offering products we ourselves have used on our cars. Agoura Hills, CA
Eurotoys Ltd. - Eurotoys Ltd is your #1 source for Jaguar & Range Rover Upgrades. Products on our website have all been carefully selected in regards to their quality and performance. Eurotoys specializes in Jaguar XJR, XKR, S-Type R, Range Rover Sport & Supercharged, but we offer products for a wide range of Import/Domestic vehicles. So, experience our service, drive our parts, and enjoy the Eurotoys Ltd experience. Elgin, IL
Eurotek Designs Inc. - A Tuning Manufacture, R&D Engineering group, Worldwide Distributor and Retailer. Specializing in: ECU Tuning Development, Import/Export Distribution for Tuning Components, Performance Hardware Manufacturing, Engineering and other Special Services.
We are the leading specialist in high end exotic car tuning development and services. World renowned for specializations in Aston Martin, Jaguar Tuning, Ferrari Tuning, Lamborghini Tuning, Maserati Tuning and recently the new Bentley Continental GT Tuning Line. We focus on performance tuning of these individual exotic models. Bronxville, NY - Restoration
Doc's Jags - Since 1983 Scottsdale, AZ
Madera Concepts - In 1980, the partners of Madera Concepts were assembled as part of an elite team to build the exotic burlwood dashboards and interior trim components for Clenet Coachworks Luxury Neo-Classic Series I Roadster. They were chosen for their expertise in woodworking, finishing, design and management and underwent an intense apprenticeship under two of Europe's automotive woodworking masters. Goleta CA
Quick historical recap into the turn of the century
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