Description
Author: Paul Skilleter, Hardbound, 360 Pages, ISBN: B00EKYXIKG, 1976 Reprint of 1975 EDition - Second-Hand book in excellent condition !
In terms of outright performance and value for money the Jaguar is the most famous mass production sports car in the world today. It is the yardstick by which all other sports cars are measured.
This fame is not merely recent, but stretches right back to the first SS 100.
Here is a chronological history starting with the original Austin Seven Swallow of 1927, through the S.S.90 and the classic SS 100 Jaguar. Soon after the war came the supreme Jaguar XK 120 followed by the XK 140, XK 150 and then the E type, a car perhaps which impressed more than any other. These, then, are the road cars, even if they were often used in motor sport.
In styling and technical innovation Jaguar have often led the field - it is therefore ironic that Jaguar Cars have always seen their main role as one of saloon car manufacturers intending to use the success of their sports cars as advertising. Even so the tremendous victories of the C-and D-types are epic stories in themselves, and probably had an even greater effect on Jaguar's reputation than was realised at the time. It appears that the XK 120 was built almost as an afterthought, a second string.
The author skillfully probes its evolution and discloses much not previously recorded in print.
Also included are photographs of the many special bodiedJaguars, one-offs and prototypes such as the XJ13. Many Jaguar engined variants such as the Lister Jaguar are also studied closely.
High quality photographs, many as yet unseen, accompany this serious, well researched text covering the personalities, the works at Browns Lane, the road cars and the competition successes which make the Jaguar sports car the `big cat' legend it is today.
The author
Paul Skilleter is a lover of Jaguars, especially the sports cars. He owns an aluminium-bodied XK 120 Roadster (LXK 48) and a 31/2 litre Mk V Saloon.
Born in the Isle of Wight late in 1945, Paul did not recognise his love for the marque until the early-sixties when he was studying photography and cinematography at Bournemouth College of Art. He bought his famous XK 120 by very good fortune and it all started.
In April 1966 he joined Motor as a photographer; in addition he soon started free-lance writing. In September 1974 Paul moved to Thoroughbred and Classic Cars because this monthly magazine, another, like Motor, in the IPC Group, reflected more of his interests.
Paul was a co-founder of the XK Register branch of the Jaguar Drivers' Club and edited the XK Bulletin from inception in 1968 until 1973.
For the past few years he has been editing the Jaguar Driver. He has raced his XK 120, mainly in Historic Events where a number of class wins have been recorded; the car won the HSCC's Jaguar Challenge Trophy in 1972.
Jaguar Sports Cars could not have been written by a more able person. He has a writing and illustrating flair but above all, however, is a depth of enthusiasm which enabled him to persevere and chronicle the complete history, in an accurate but entertaining manner.
The colour photograph on the front of the jacket was taken at Jaguar Cars' Browns Lane, Coventry premises. Left to right, Jaguar 3.8 XK 150S (Rodney Leach), Jaguar 3.8 E-type (David Morris) and Jaguar XK 120 (Jaguar Cars). Grateful thanks are extended to each.
Photography by Paul Skilleter
