Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Jaguar S 3.8 - the best of both worlds?

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on May 20, 2024

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

50

Archiv

20

Daniel Reinhard

50

Archiv

20

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - unfortunately you can't hear the sound of the engine

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - 1650 kg and a relatively indirect steering ratio (without servo) only help the handling to a limited extent

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - comfortable and safe to drive thanks to independent rear suspension

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - the classic touring sedan

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - managed just under 200 km/h

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - a fast sedan that didn't have to hide behind sports cars of the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - 1695 mm wide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - 1380 mm high

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - with bar for the club badges

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - elegant appearance

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - is longer and slightly flatter than the Mark II

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - the additional length resulted in significantly more trunk space

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - large trunk lid, low load compartment edge

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - rounded design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - ready to go

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - high-quality interior, already visible from the outside

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - View of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - lots of wood, leather and deep-pile carpets in the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - you simply have to feel at home in this atmosphere

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Jaguar sign on the steering wheel

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - beautifully drawn main instruments by Smiths

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - four-speed gearbox and overdrive (on the steering column)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - informative center console with switch panel and four additional instruments

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - the "air conditioning system" was described as very effective at the time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - opening rear windows

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Rear hinged window with a through-engineered mechanism

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Rear hinged window with a through-engineered mechanism

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - the visual differences to the Mk II are relatively minor up to the B-pillar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - in-line six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - long-stroke engine with 223 SAE hp at 5500 rpm

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - modern engine design with 3781 cm3

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Nameplate

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - gladly mounted accessories - the jumping Jaguar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - engine capacity also clearly marked on the nose

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - lots of chrome at the front

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - unmistakably Jaguar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - headlights slightly recessed in caves, which not everyone liked

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - spoked wheels cost DM 1280 or CHF 1500 extra

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Reflection in the door

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - thanks to the clever choice of body line, there is sufficient headroom in the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - artistic door openers

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Fuel filler cap right

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Fuel filler cap left

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - Rear lights like the Mk X

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - clearly legible lettering also at the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - beautiful typography

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - clear labeling

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar Mark 2 (1959) - one of the fastest saloons of its time

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar Mark X (1962) - elegant and spacious

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - contemporary press photo

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - combines the lines of Mark II and Mark X

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.4 (1967) - seat cushions covered with the finest leather and lots of wood - Geneva Motor Show 1967

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - spacious interior with lots of wood and leather

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - Rear seat bench with plenty of headroom

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - large trunk thanks to independent suspension

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - Rear axle

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - Sectional drawing of the front suspension

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar 3.8 S (1965) - during test drives

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1964) - a symbiosis of Mk II and Mk X in terms of design

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - early factory photo

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S-Type (1963) - contemporary press photo

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S (1964) - Advertisement from 1964

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1966) - Advertising: You drive excellent, you drive Jaguar

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar 3.8 S (1967) - elegance, space and sportiness all in one

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar 3.8 S (1967) - more trunk space and room than in the Mk II

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar 3.8 S (1967) - positioned between Mk II and Mk X

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar 3.8 S (1967) - with a classic Jaguar face

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - exterior mirrors mounted far forward were standard

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - ready to go

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Jaguar S 3.8 (1968) - easily distinguishable from the Mk II from the rear

You have only

1 out of 70

images seen in high resolution

Summary

In 1963, Jaguar presented the new S 3.4 and S 3.8 saloon models, which cleverly combined elements of the smaller Mk II and the larger Mk X. Although the four-door model was convincing, it was only built for six years and remained rarer than the Mk II, for example. Even today, it is seen less often, and despite its added value, it is even cheaper than its smaller brother. This driving report tells the story of the S-Type and shows it in historical and current images.

This article contains the following chapters

Platform hybrid
More space
Comfortable and safe to drive
From October 1964 with new gearbox
Six years of construction
Impressive

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

At the beginning of the sixties, William Lyons recognized a gap in his model range. In addition to the E-Type, there was the Mk II as a sporty saloon and the Mk X as a large luxury tourer. For those who found the Mk II too compact but the Mk X too large, Lyons wanted to offer the "S". The new sedan was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in the fall of 1963. Jaguar was on a growth path at the time, it had just bought Daimler and Coventry Climax and doubled its production capacity within five years, so an expansion of the model range certainly made sense, even though demand for the previous models was already high.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: