Turner Prize

In the world of the Mk2 Jaguar, it’s the XK-powered cars which grab the attention, but Edward Turner’s V8 created a very capable car under the Daimler badge.

- Paul Wager

Just recently I was chatting to a contact well steeped in the auctions cene and while discussing what a shame it was that fashion had pushed the values of so many classics out of the reach of those who would love to own them purely for the driving pleasure (as opposed to the investment opportunity), talk naturally turned to the Jaguar Mk2.

There was a point where the Mk2 could be had for reasonable money and even when TV fame pushed the values up it was the 3.8-litre manual overdrive cars which became popular, the 3.4-litre models duly following after a short time. Nowadays the 2.4-litre and 240 cars remain more affordable but have still risen significantly in value, but the one model which seems to have been slightly sidelined is the Daimler-badged Mk2 – which until the announcement of the XK8 in 1996 was the sole V8-powered car in Jaguar history.

Most CCM readers will be aware of the events which resulted in the car’s existence, but here’s a recap. Daimler had a long and illustrious history stretching back much further than Jaguar itself and was part of the British motoring industry aristiocracy, boasting a royal warrant long before Rolls-Royce became the favoured brand of the royal household.

Sadly though, this wouldn’t help it survive and despite a reputation for innovation, financial difficulties saw it acquired by British Small Arms (BSA) in 1910. During WW1 the firm was kept busy producing munitions, concentrating afterwards on commercial and military vehicles before returning to car production with the more modern Daimler 15. This was repeated during WW2, with Daimler operating several ‘shadow’ plants around Coventry.