Jaguar was first created in 1922 by William Lyons who initially had the main aim of designing motorcycle sidecars.
Production had moved to cars by 1927 and then the legendary SS 1 car appeared in 1931.
The range continued to grow and become more popular and in 1935 the original Swallow Sidecar Company was ditched in favour of the sleeker and catchier Jaguar.
The company first stamped its name into legend in 1948 when it unleashed the XK 120 at a motor show.
The 160 BHP vehicle went on to become recognised as one of the great sports cars of all time.
In 1950 the Mark VII saloon was unveiled, further bolstering the companys reputation.
It aimed for a wider appeal in 1955 by ploughing one million pounds into designing and developing the Jaguar 2.4, a smaller high volume car.
Jaguar went to the Le Mans race in 1951, taking three C-Types.
Even though the firm was making its debut in the event drivers Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead chalked up an incredible victory.
Moving into the 1960s, the company aimed to make yet another dramatic step forward.
The E-Type fit the bill and appeared in 1961 and was an almost instant hit, enchanting drivers of the era.
Then and now the model was an icon and 70,000 E-Types were constructed over the following 13 years, over half of which ended up in the United States.
In the late 1960s the company developed the XJ6 - widely recognized as the best Jaguar saloon yet. Is distinctive shape was also a major bonus, as it helped the car to retain strong identity when other firms were losing theirs.
Lyons finally retired in 1972, aged 71, but this was not the end of the iconic design story.
Lofty England took over development and the XJS sports coupe was released in 1975.
Although it was a convertible it was famed for saloon-level comfort and quietness.
A third new era started in 1980 when John Egan became chairman and managing director.
The companys appeal continued to develop, particularly in America, and it worked on improving a number of models through the decade.
The company also chalked up another two victories at Le Mans in 1988 and 1990.
Then in 1989 executives at the company realised more progress could be made by teaming up with a big time car manufacturer and Jaguar was brought under the wing of the Ford Motor Company.
The 1990s saw a progressive period which included the introduction of the XK8 and XKR coupes and convertibles and the arrival of the S-Type.
This meant the company entered the new century with massive levels of production and its broadest-ever car range.
Into the new millennium the new X-Type turned all heads at the Geneva International Motor show in 2001.
Then in 2002 the XJ appeared at the Paris Motor Show and boasted an innovative body construction.
March 2006 then saw the worldwide launch of a brand new range of XK sports cars, the most technologically advanced the firm had ever produced.
Lyons original vision lives on in the brand, forever associated with style, performance and ultimate luxury. |
