Jaguar Mk. IV - World Of Classic Cars -

Jaguar Mk. IV 1946

The 1945-1948 Jaguar Mk. IV, Jaguar's first cars after World War II, were essentially continuations of the 1938-39 models. Very few of these cars were built for the righthand drive markets as steel was being rationed for goods for export. The origin of the name is rather odd since, back in 1948, there had been no Mk. I to IV Jaguars; the Mk. IV designation was only given to the predecessor after the launch of the Mk. V to make identification easier. Most were four-door saloons and all shared the same body shell except for the 1.5 Litre model which had a six-inch shorter wheelbase and had a four- instead of six-cylinder engine. This was the first car to bear the legendary Jaguar name after 1945 (SS having been dropped for understandable marketing reasons after the war!) and the Mk. IV Jaguar is felt by many to be the epitome of British car design of its era. The huge chrome head lamps, sweeping wings and running boards, luxurious leather interior, French polished wood all speak of style and opulence.