Jaguar Mark VIII

Jaguar Mark VIII

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Manufacturer	Jaguar Cars
Production	1956–1958 6,227 produced
Predecessor	Jaguar Mark VII
Successor	Jaguar Mark IX
Class	Large luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Engine(s)	3442 cc, 210 bhp (156.6 kW)
Wheelbase	120 in (3,048 mm)
Length	196.5 in (4,991 mm)
Width	73 in (1,854 mm)
Curb weight	3,752 lb (1,702 kg)

The Jaguar Mark VIII is a large four-door sports sedan introduced by the Jaguar company of Coventry at the 1956 London Motor Show.

The body

The car shared its 10-foot (3.05 m) wheelbase with its predecessor, the Jaguar Mark VII, which outwardly it closely resembled. However, the interior fittings were more luxurious than those of the Mark VII. Distinguishing visually between the models is facilitated by changes to the front grill, the driving or fog lamps being moved from the front panel to the horizontal panel between bumper & front panel, larger rear lamps and most obviously a curved chrome trim strip below the waistline which allowed the factory to offer a variety of two-tone paint schemes. In addition the new car had rear spats that were cut back to display more of the rear wheels and featured a one-piece slightly curved windscreen, where the Mark VII had incorporated a two-piece front screen of flat glass.

Engine and running gear

The Mark VIII inherited from its predecessor the 3442 cc straight-six engine which it shared with the Jaguar XK140 that appeared two years earlier. In the Mark VIII, supported by twin SU carburetors, and employing a manual four-speed transmission, advertised engine output was now increased to 210 bhp (156.6 kW): the claimed top speed in excess of 106 mph (170 km/h) was considered impressive, given the car's bulk. Transmission options included overdrive or a Borg Warner three-speed automatic box.

Commercial

After a two year production run of 6,227 units the Mark VIII was replaced by the Jaguar Mark IX.

Media appearance

A green example featured prominently in the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo.