Jaguar Mk9 (1959 – 1961) Review

As was the fashion with Jaguar in the 1950s, saloon development was all about evolution, rather than revolution. The Mk IX was typical of the breed – cosmetically, it was very similar to the last of the Mk VIII versions, and most of the improvements took place under the four-door's imposing skin. A welcome addition to the Mk IX’s armoury was a bored-out twin carburettor version of Jaguar's 3.8-litre XK engine – and that was a detuned version of the unit that had already proved itself so effectively in the D-type racing car. As a result, the Mk IX was an excellent high-speed cruiser.

Power steering was fitted, and predictably, all-round disc brakes also made an appearance – and although most cars came with fitted with automatic transmission as standard, the option of four-speed manual with overdrive has proved very popular with classic car buyers in later years. A total of just over 10,000 cars were built at Jaguar's Browns Lane plant in Coventry during its three-year production lifespan and despite the rust problems inherent in big Jaguars of this era, survival rate has been high as enthusiasts appreciate the modern dynamics of this big saloon.