Jaguar 3 1/2 litre Mark IV
Kształtnie wyprofilowane nadkola, długa maska, duże chromowane reflektory, monumentalny grill, a na nim srebrna figurka. Przyznajcie się ilu z was pomyślało o autach marki Rolls-Royce. W tym przypadku to nie Spirit of Ecstasy zdobi samochód ze zdjęć, a skaczący kot. Mamy tu do czynienia z Jaguarem 3 1/2 litra z 1948 roku.
Niby podobny jednak inny, bo w stylu panującym w tamtej epoce. Jeśli już mielibyśmy się doszukiwać podobieństwa z autem jakiejś innej marki to najbliżej mu do Bentleya choć Jag wydaje się zwinniejszy, dynamiczniejszy.
Williama Lyons'a - jeden z założycieli firmy lubił mieć wpływ na proces projektowy. Nie posiadał jednak zdolności rysunkowych, aby pokazać inżynierom jak poprowadzić linię nadwozia, ale dobrze wiedział, czego pragnie potencjalny klient Jaguara i jakich specjalistów potrzeba do zespołu pracującego nad autem. To ci rzemieślnicy tworzyli pełnowymiarowe modele aut, aby dopracowywać ogólny kształt i detale, które wpływały na ostateczny wygląd auta.
Sculpted wheel arches, a long bonnet, large chrome headlights, a monumental grille topped with a silver figurine. Admit it, how many of you thought of Rolls-Royce cars? In this case, it is not the Spirit of Ecstasy that adorns the car in the photos, but a leaping cat. We are looking at a 1948 Jaguar 3 1/2 litre.
William Lyons, one of the company's founders, liked to influence the design process. However, he did not have the drawing skills to show engineers how to design the bodywork, but he knew very well what potential Jaguar customers wanted and what specialists were needed for the team working on the car. These craftsmen created full-size models of the cars to refine the overall shape and details that influenced the final appearance of the car.
Projekt tego modelu wywodzi się z czasów przedwojennych, gdy Jaguar jeszcze nie był Jaguarem, a marką znaną jako SS Cars Limited

Sometimes updating a name and logo brings results, although as recent events have shown, they may not always be positive. Changes in technology can also vary, but at the beginning of a brand's life, these decisions had a slightly different connotation. Because Lyons decided to change the car's construction to all-steel. It should be remembered that previous models were based on a wooden structure. The SS brand was probably one of the first to produce all-steel bodies, and certainly the first small company to assemble bodies from individual panels rather than purchasing complete bodies from external suppliers.
Nie była to jednak jednorazowa sytuacja gdyż zdarzała się również przy kolejnych modelach, jednym z lepiej znanych szybkich aut tańszych od konkurencji był Jaguar E type.
Wracając jednak do samego samochodu, mamy tu do czynienia z modelem 3 1/2 litra, gdzie nazwa jednocześnie informuje nas o pojemności tego sześciocylindrowego silnika. Oficjalne nazwy samochodów po wznowieniu produkcji po wojnie brzmiały: Jaguar 1 1/2 , 2 1/2, 3 1/2 litra. Ta nijaka nazwa nie przypadła do gustu późniejszym właścicielom i być może samemu kierownictwu gdyż po wprowadzeniu na rynek modelu Mark V, pierwsze powojenne samochody były znane, jako Mark IV. Choć Jaguar nigdy ich oficjalnie tak nie nazywał.
Skoro mowa o silniku to jednostka 3 1/2 litra pozwalała na osiągnięcie prędkości maksymalnej na poziomie 91.8 mph (147.7 km/h), przyśpieszenie do 50 mph (80km/h) w 9s oraz przejechanie 1/4 mili w 19.4s. To wszystko przy spalaniu na poziomie 18-20 mpg (15l na 100 km). Porównując to do współczesnych aut nie są to jakieś szalone wartości. Należy jednak pamiętać, że mamy do czynienia z autem z lat 40 tych. Ówczesna prasa wręcz wychwalała ten model. Takie BMW M5 owych czasów. Danych odnośnie drogi hamowani niestety nie znalazłem. Pewnie były na podobnie wysokim poziomie i hamulce dzielnie radziły sobie z masą własną 1627kg za sprawą 14 calowych bębnów ukrytych za 18 calowymi kołami. Nie wstawiałbym jednak ich na próbę w dzisiejszym ruchu miejskim. Takie atrakcje tylko dla ludzi o silnych nerwach i dobrym refleksie. Bo nie oszukujmy się nawet taki 10 letni Golf dysponuje lepszymi oponami i wspomaganiem hamulców.
Returning to the car itself, we are dealing with a 3½-litre model, where the name also tells us the capacity of this six-cylinder engine. The official names of the cars after production resumed after the war were: Jaguar 1½, 2 1/2, 3 1/2 litre. This bland name did not appeal to later owners and perhaps even the management itself, because after the Mark V model was launched, the first post-war cars were known as Mark IV. Although Jaguar never officially called them that.
Speaking of the engine, the 3 1/2 litre unit allowed for a top speed of 91.8 mph (147.7 km/h), acceleration to 50 mph (80 km/h) in 9 seconds and a quarter mile in 19.4 seconds. All this with fuel consumption of 18-20 mpg (15 litres per 100 km). Compared to modern cars, these are not crazy figures. However, it should be remembered that we are dealing with a car from the 1940s. The press at the time praised this model. It was the BMW M5 of its day. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any data on braking distance. It was probably similarly impressive, with the brakes coping admirably with the car's 1627 kg kerb weight thanks to 14-inch drums hidden behind 18-inch wheels. However, I would not put them to the test in today's city traffic. Such attractions are only for people with strong nerves and good reflexes. Let's be honest, even a 10-year-old Golf has better tyres and brake assist.

Looking at more modern cars, such as the BMW e30 four- and six-cylinder versions, which differ slightly in style, the same was true here. The 1.5-litre unit is a four-cylinder engine, while the others are six-cylinder engines. The four-cylinder engines had smaller headlights and a shorter bonnet. And how can you tell the difference between the two-litre and three-litre versions without looking at the badges? You have to count the number of bars in the grille. The wider 3½-litre model had seventeen, while the 2½-litre version had two fewer, i.e. 15.

DETALE
Let us pay attention to the door handles, which are usually noticeable from a distance, but here they are almost invisible. This is all thanks to their clever placement on a chrome strip running along the bodywork. The width of the decorative strip and the size of the door handle itself make it practically invisible at first glance. The only one visible from a distance is the one located centrally on the boot lid.

When we pull it, we see a fairly spacious boot. Only the tailgate seems too heavy for its size. This is because it conceals a set of tools.


Everything is fine, but where is the spare wheel? Could it be that Jaguar wants its customers to get their hands dirty and search for a spare wheel mounted underneath the car? Fortunately, the company's designers have come up with a rather tasteful solution. Underneath the boot lid, there is another compartment, hidden behind the number plate panel, which contains the spare wheel.

Długość i delikatnie opadająca linia przednich błotników przywodni na myśl te ze sportowych modeli dwudrzwiowych. Te zabiegi sprawiają, że auto nabiera bardzo dynamicznej sylwetki. Oczywiście, jeśli porównać Jaguara do Coupe Bugati to samochód z kotem na masce wypada trochę blado, ale mówimy tu o nadwoziu czterodrzwiowym - sedanie długości 4724mm
I don't know if it's just me, but when I open the boot, I see a stylistic reference to the Porsche Panamera with a raised spoiler. As in German cars, the boot line smoothly connects to the rear fenders. It's as if it were the same curve, only slightly stretched upwards to connect with the rear wall of the passenger compartment, which flows smoothly into the roof. Not as square as in others, but smoother. It's like comparing a Mercedes CLS to an E-Class or a Volvo. Look at the side line of the car, how dynamic it is.
The length and gently sloping line of the front fenders are reminiscent of those on two-door sports models. These features give the car a very dynamic silhouette. Of course, when compared to a Bugatti Coupe, the car with the cat on the bonnet pales in comparison, but we are talking about a four-door body here – a saloon with a length of 4724 mm.

When we look at the bodywork piece by piece, a silver strip in the B-pillar catches the eye, concealing a turn signal. It is a luminous wing that reveals itself to the world only when necessary.
This brings us to what is, at least for me, the most important part of the car – the front. This is where the first encounter takes place, deciding whether it will be love at first sight or just a meaningless meeting. The size of the headlights and their position in relation to the radiator and wheel arches create the car's facial features. It is these proportions that determine whether we are dealing with a goddess or just a grey mouse. Look up photos of the 1.5-litre version, which has smaller headlights, on the Internet and you will understand what I mean. The eyes are the windows to the soul. Both headlights had the same shape, and in order to maintain the correct light beam pattern on the road without dazzling oncoming traffic, the left one was slightly dimmer.


WNETRZE
Since we mentioned the beautifully contoured roof line, it's time to take a look inside and see if there's any room left on the back seat. And here I was pleasantly surprised, because I was expecting a claustrophobic cubicle where it would be difficult to find a place to take any decent photos. I sat down on the rear seat and looked for shots without worrying about whether I had a wide enough lens. There was also plenty of headroom.
It is worth noting the rear window, which from the outside resembles a letterbox opening. However, once you sit inside, it does not look so bad.


Of course, it could always be brighter, which is why lights have been installed in the rear pillars for dissatisfied passengers. And the sofa itself, with its massive armrests, would not look out of place in the most stylish manor house with a butler.

However, for those who find it too claustrophobic and dark, I recommend visiting the front, where, in addition to a larger glass area, we have a large opening roof at our disposal. Only a convertible offers more light and air. It's time to sit on the throne and look at this kingdom from behind the wheel. The large black steering wheel contrasting with the wood and light upholstery of the interior is a sign that we are sitting in the most important place in the car. The size of the steering wheel is not only a symbol of the importance of the position, but also a practical requirement, as there was no power steering here. And somehow, you have to tame this demon of speed.
Patrząc na deskę rozdzielczą nachodzi myśl czy aby przypadkiem Jaguar nie był pionierem zabiegu znanego z najnowszych supercarów tzn prędkościomierza z prawej do wglądu pasażera. Prawda jest jednak inna. W momencie przygotowywania auta nikt nie przewidział wersji na rynki z kierownicą po lewej stronie (LHD), nie zmieniono układu zegarów. Podobnie z hamulcem ręcznym. Zmiana lokalizacji kierownicy namieszała trochę pod maską. Zmieniając grubość kolumny kierownicy z 51 mm na 32 mm oraz innym pakowaniem samej przekładni. Rozglądając się dalej po wnętrzu dostrzegamy piękne w formie korby i klamki w drzwiach oraz przełączniki na desce rozdzielczej. Na środku nad zegarami zlokalizowano jeszcze jedną tajemniczą korbkę. Służy ona do uchylania przedniej szyby. To taka klimatyzacja z poprzedniej epoki.
Looking at the dashboard, one might wonder whether Jaguar was a pioneer of a feature known from the latest supercars, i.e. a speedometer on the right-hand side for the passenger to see. However, the truth is different. When the car was being developed, no one anticipated a left-hand drive (LHD) version for certain markets, so the layout of the dials was not changed. The same applies to the handbrake. The change in the location of the steering wheel caused some confusion under the bonnet. The thickness of the steering column was changed from 51 mm to 32 mm and the gearbox itself was repackaged. Looking further around the interior, we notice the beautifully designed cranks and door handles, as well as the switches on the dashboard. In the centre, above the dials, there is another mysterious crank. It is used to tilt the windscreen. It is a kind of air conditioning from a previous era.
A jak tak ten długodystansowiec sprawdzał się w prestiżowych rajdach, w końcu przy dobrych osiągach silnika 3 1/2 litra ktoś na pewno wpadł na pomysł startu tym autem. W Rajdzie Monte Carlo pierwszy raz pojawił się on w 1938 r za sprawą JOH Willing'a który wygrał główna nagrodę w Concours de Comfort oraz zajął 42 miejsce w generalce. Co było bardzo dobrym wynikiem ja dla seryjnego auta za tą cenę. Kolejne starty tego modelu miały miejsce dopiero w 1949 r gdzie na linii startu pojawiły się dwa Jaguary 3 1/2 litra. Jedno auto nie ukończyło wyścigu, natomiast drugie przyjechało na 75 miejscu w generalce. W tym czasie konkurencja miała już mocniejsze i nowsze modele, dlatego na kolejne wyniki Jaguar usiał poczekać do czasu nowego modelu Mark V.
And since this long-distance car performed well in prestigious rallies, with the good performance of its 3 1/2 litre engine, someone surely came up with the idea of entering it in a race. It first appeared in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1938 thanks to JOH Willing, who won the main prize in the Concours de Comfort and took 42nd place overall. This was a very good result for a production car at that price. The next appearances of this model did not take place until 1949, when two 3½-litre Jaguars appeared at the starting line. One car did not finish the race, while the other came in 75th place overall. At that time, the competition already had more powerful and newer models, so Jaguar had to wait until the new Mark V model for further results.

A tu mamy do czynienia z jednym z prawdopodobnie tylko 35 zachowanych modeli 3 1/2 litra z kierownica po lewej stronie. Sprzedawano je głównie do Brazylii oraz USA, a w Europie do Belgi oraz Szwajcarii. Najbardziej znanym właścicielem LHD 3 ½ litra był Clark Gable – zakupił on białe Drophead Coupe z czerwonym wnętrzem i kołami tzw disc wheels. Jego auto o numerze nadwozia SL3262Z sprzedano w 2011 roku na aukcji w Monterey za 110.000USD.
So how does this car perform nowadays? For me, extremely well, but we cannot expect too much from it. Prestige at the highest level, unbeatable comfort. Keeping it in good technical condition is also said to be easy, as it is pure mechanics. At least that's what the car owner's mechanic friend says, although I don't know if he can be trusted, as he is not just a weekend garage expert, but a mechanic on a large ship. The only problem may be the car's braking distance, which depends on how hard we press the pedal and whether the narrow tyres lose traction. Here, we need to plan in advance where we will start braking. However, this does not change the fact that travelling in this car is a unique experience. I spent two days with this car and I still want more. I would gladly sink back into its seats and admire the bodywork again. If you come across this model on your way, it is worth spending a moment with it, as there are not many of them left. A total of 11,969 Mark IV 3 1/2 litre versions were produced, of which only about 6.4%, or 766 units, remain.
Here we have one of only 35 surviving 3½-litre models with left-hand drive. They were sold mainly to Brazil and the USA, and in Europe to Belgium and Switzerland. The most famous owner of an LHD 3½-litre was Clark Gable – he purchased a white Drophead Coupe with a red interior and disc wheels. His car, with the chassis number SL3262Z, was sold in 2011 at an auction in Monterey for USD 110,000.