Production Overview
| Detail |
Information |
| Manufacturer |
Jaguar Cars Ltd, Coventry, England |
| Production years |
1959-1967 |
| Body style |
4-door saloon |
| Construction |
Steel unitary body/chassis |
| Designer |
Sir William Lyons |
| Total production |
Approximately 83,980 |
| Successor |
Jaguar 240/340 (1967-1969), Jaguar XJ6 (1968) |
Engine Specifications
2.4-Litre XK Six
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Inline six-cylinder, DOHC |
| Capacity |
2,483 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
83.0 mm x 76.5 mm |
| Compression ratio |
8.0:1 (standard), 9.0:1 (SE) |
| Valve train |
Twin overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Carburettors |
Twin Solex B32 PBI-5 (early), twin SU HD6 (late) |
| Power |
120 bhp @ 5,750 rpm |
| Torque |
140 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Redline |
5,500 rpm (recommended max) |
| Oil capacity |
8.5 litres (with filter) |
| Coolant capacity |
12.8 litres |
| Fuel requirement |
97 RON (Super/Premium) |
3.4-Litre XK Six
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Inline six-cylinder, DOHC |
| Capacity |
3,442 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
83.0 mm x 106.0 mm |
| Compression ratio |
8.0:1 (standard), 9.0:1 (SE) |
| Valve train |
Twin overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Carburettors |
Twin SU HD6 |
| Power |
210 bhp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque |
216 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Redline |
5,500 rpm (recommended max) |
| Oil capacity |
8.5 litres (with filter) |
| Coolant capacity |
12.8 litres |
| Fuel requirement |
97 RON (Super/Premium) |
3.8-Litre XK Six
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Inline six-cylinder, DOHC |
| Capacity |
3,781 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
87.0 mm x 106.0 mm |
| Compression ratio |
8.0:1 (standard), 9.0:1 (SE) |
| Valve train |
Twin overhead camshafts, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Carburettors |
Twin SU HD6 |
| Power |
220 bhp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque |
240 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Redline |
5,500 rpm (recommended max) |
| Oil capacity |
8.5 litres (with filter) |
| Coolant capacity |
12.8 litres |
| Fuel requirement |
97 RON (Super/Premium) |
Transmission
Moss Gearbox (2.4L standard, early 3.4L)
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
4-speed manual, synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd, 4th |
| 1st gear |
No synchromesh |
| Overdrive |
Laycock de Normanville (optional) |
| Clutch |
Single dry plate, hydraulic operation |
All-Synchromesh Gearbox (late 3.4L, 3.8L from 1965)
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
4-speed manual, full synchromesh |
| Overdrive |
Laycock de Normanville (optional) |
| Clutch |
Single dry plate, hydraulic operation |
Automatic Transmission (all models, optional)
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Borg-Warner Type 35 |
| Speeds |
3-speed automatic |
| Torque converter |
Hydraulic |
Chassis and Suspension
Front Suspension
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Independent, double wishbones |
| Springs |
Coil springs |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll bar |
Fitted |
| Steering |
Recirculating ball (power steering optional on later cars) |
| Turns lock-to-lock |
3.5 |
| Turning circle |
10.1 metres |
Rear Suspension
| Specification |
Detail |
| Type |
Live axle |
| Springs |
Semi-elliptic leaf springs |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Differential |
Salisbury hypoid |
| Axle ratio (3.8) |
3.54:1 (manual), 3.77:1 (auto) |
| Axle ratio (3.4) |
3.54:1 (manual), 3.77:1 (auto) |
| Axle ratio (2.4) |
4.27:1 (manual), 4.55:1 (auto) |
Brakes
| Specification |
Detail |
| Front |
Dunlop disc brakes, 279 mm diameter |
| Rear |
Drum brakes, 229 mm diameter |
| Servo |
Vacuum servo-assisted |
| Handbrake |
Mechanical, acting on rear drums |
Wheels and Tyres
| Specification |
Detail |
| Standard wheels (2.4) |
Pressed steel disc wheels, 5J x 15 |
| Standard wheels (3.4/3.8) |
54-spoke wire wheels, 5J x 15 |
| Optional wheels |
Wire wheels (2.4), disc wheels (3.4/3.8) |
| Tyre size (original) |
6.40 x 15 crossply |
| Tyre size (modern radial) |
185/80R15 |
| Spare wheel |
Full-size, boot-mounted |
Dimensions
| Measurement |
Detail |
| Overall length |
4,572 mm (180.0 in) |
| Overall width |
1,702 mm (67.0 in) |
| Overall height |
1,460 mm (57.5 in) |
| Wheelbase |
2,731 mm (107.5 in) |
| Front track |
1,397 mm (55.0 in) |
| Rear track |
1,356 mm (53.4 in) |
| Ground clearance |
178 mm (7.0 in) |
| Boot capacity |
Approximately 370 litres |
Weights
| Model |
Kerb Weight |
| 2.4 Litre (manual) |
1,361 kg (3,000 lb) |
| 3.4 Litre (manual) |
1,422 kg (3,136 lb) |
| 3.8 Litre (manual) |
1,434 kg (3,162 lb) |
| Automatic (add) |
+23 kg (50 lb) |
Performance
2.4 Litre
| Metric |
Figure |
| Top speed |
161 km/h (100 mph) |
| 0-60 mph |
17.3 seconds |
| 0-100 km/h |
18.0 seconds |
| Standing quarter mile |
20.5 seconds |
| Fuel consumption |
13-16 L/100km |
3.4 Litre
| Metric |
Figure |
| Top speed |
193 km/h (120 mph) |
| 0-60 mph |
11.9 seconds |
| 0-100 km/h |
12.5 seconds |
| Standing quarter mile |
18.0 seconds |
| Fuel consumption |
14-18 L/100km |
3.8 Litre
| Metric |
Figure |
| Top speed |
201 km/h (125 mph) |
| 0-60 mph |
8.5 seconds |
| 0-100 km/h |
9.1 seconds |
| Standing quarter mile |
16.3 seconds |
| Fuel consumption |
15-20 L/100km |
Electrical System
| Specification |
Detail |
| System voltage |
12V |
| Earth polarity |
Positive earth (original) |
| Generator |
Lucas C42 dynamo (early), Lucas 11AC alternator (late) |
| Battery |
12V, 57Ah |
| Starter motor |
Lucas M418G pre-engaged |
| Ignition |
Lucas distributor, coil and points |
| Headlights |
7-inch sealed beam (original), H4 halogen (upgrade) |
Fuel System
| Specification |
Detail |
| Fuel tank capacity |
54.5 litres (12 Imperial gallons) |
| Fuel pump |
SU electric, boot-mounted |
| Fuel type |
97 RON (Super/Premium unleaded with additive) |
| Carburettors (2.4) |
Twin Solex B32 PBI-5 (early), twin SU HS6 (late) |
| Carburettors (3.4/3.8) |
Twin SU HD6 |
Standard Equipment (3.8 Litre)
- Burr walnut dashboard and door cappings
- Leather upholstery (front and rear)
- Full Wilton carpet
- Smiths instruments (speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level, ammeter)
- Heater and demister
- Windscreen washers
- Twin reversing lights
- Cigar lighter
- Interior courtesy light
- Locking glove box
- 54-spoke wire wheels
- Dunlop disc brakes (front)
- Fog lamp (single, front)
Factory Options
- Overdrive (Laycock de Normanville)
- Borg-Warner automatic transmission
- Wire wheels (2.4, standard on 3.4/3.8)
- Limited-slip differential
- Power steering (late cars)
- Heated rear window
- Radiator blind
- Whitewall tyres
- Two-tone paint
- Webasto sunroof
Identification
Chassis Number Format
The chassis number is stamped on the bulkhead (firewall) and on the commission plate.
| Prefix |
Model |
| 125xxx BW |
2.4 Litre |
| 150xxx BW/DN |
3.4 Litre |
| 175xxx BW/DN |
3.8 Litre |
- BW = Borg-Warner automatic
- DN = Manual with overdrive
- No suffix = Manual without overdrive
Engine Number Prefix
| Prefix |
Engine |
| KB |
2.4L |
| KJ |
3.4L |
| LB |
3.8L |