Sometimes the differences are no more than a nameplate, occasionally a little more imagination has been used, but cars that for whatever reason are sold under different brand names, it is certainly not something recent. In the early 1950s, Jaguar starts the development of a middle class sedan. At the time, no one could have imagined that this car would form the basis for a range of models, even with the Daimler logo.
In the early 1950s, they earn a good living at Jaguar on luxury limousines and fast sports cars. Nevertheless, the Jaguar management is aware that in an economic downturn the market for large and expensive cars will collapse like a house of cards. Thus, in 1952 the Utah project is started. It should be a compact sedan with an approximately 2.5 liter engine and a self-supporting body. Oh, and to propagate Jaguar’s sporty image (the brand dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in those years), the top speed must be above 100 mph.
Jaguar Mk1
During and just after World War II, Jaguar’s renowned six-cylinder XK engine also experimented with two-liter four-cylinder engines. Those machines come back into the picture for the Utah, but ultimately have to lose out against a modified version of the six-in-line XK: 2,483 cc and 112 hp. At the front the car gets coil springs, behind a rigid axle with leaf springs and drum brakes are used all around. On October 19, 1955, the Utah was presented at the Earls Court Motor Show as the Jaguar 2.4-liter.
Jaguar Mk2
Now also as Daimler
In the course of 1956 Jaguar comes with boost sets that boost the engine power to 119, 131 and 150 hp. Behind the scenes, however, work is underway on a version with the 210 hp 3.4 liter XK engine that goes into production as Jaguar 3.4 in 1957. The next big step is taken in the summer of 1958 when the development department starts what is called the Utah facelift or Utah Mk2. The car is taken care of from front to rear, with the redesigned C-pillar being the most eye-catching. On October 2, 1959, the cloth was removed from a car that goes through life as the Jaguar Mk2, now available with the 3.8 liter engine from the XK150 sports car in addition to the 2.4 and 3.4 liters.
Jaguar is doing well. In search of expansion of the production facilities, Daimler, a short distance away in Coventry, was taken over from BSA in June 18, 1960. Initially, the Daimler model portfolio will be maintained, but a completely newly developed Daimler model is no longer available. Impressed by Daimlers, the 2.5 liter V8 presented just before the takeover, Jaguar engineers spooned that engine into the coach of a Mk1 in November 1960. The results are above expectations and eventually lead to the presentation of the Daimler 2.5 V8 in October 1962, now of course in the body of the Mk2, but with the Daimler grille and higher equipment level.
Daimler 2.5 V8
Mk3 becomes S-type
The introduction in October 1961 of the large Jaguar Mk X with its excellent handling characteristics (thanks in part to independent rear suspension) shows that the Mk2 is getting older. It is decided not to replace the Mk2 but to develop a car in between the Mk2 and Mk X. The base of the Mk2 is used to keep costs to a minimum. The car, code-named Utah Mk3 and XJ3, gets the independent rear suspension of the big Mk X, the roofline is raised by an inch and the rear of the body is also clearly inspired by the big brother. To keep pace with the Mk X, everything is pulled out to bring comfort to the highest possible level.
Jaguar S type
On September 20, 1963, the car was presented to the public as an S-type with a choice of the 3.4 or 3.8 liter version of the six-cylinder XK engine. The model comes in the price list between the Mk2 and the Mk X.
Jaguar MkX
On growth
Sales of the Mk X are starting to decline, although it gets a larger 4.2 liter XK engine, sales are declining. However, it will take years before the much-needed follow-up in the form of the completely new XJ6 is ready. Thus project XJ16 is started.
Jaguar 420
In short, this is an S-type with the 4.2 six-cylinder and a nose that, with its receding front and four headlights, is strongly reminiscent of the large Mk X. For the Daimler variant of project XJ16, XDM16, the 4 , 5 liter version of Daimlers V8 considered. When the canvas is pulled from the cars on October 13, 1966, they are called Jaguar 420 and Daimler Sovereign and they both have the 4.2 liter six-cylinder. On the same occasion, the large Mk X is renamed 420G. Almost a year later, in September 1967, the Mk2 undergoes a slight facelift and the type designation is analogous to that of the 420 from now on 240 and 340 for the 2.4 and 3.4 liter version respectively. The 3.8 liters is no longer there. The Daimler 2.5 V8 is also being slightly retouched and is wearing out its last phase of life as the Daimler V8-250. The days of Project Utah seem to be numbered. Just before the XJ6 is presented in September 1969, the curtain falls for the 340 as well as for the S-Type and the 420. Because there is no Daimler version of the XJ6 yet, the Sovereign remains in production until July 9, 1969. The last 240 rolls off the production line on April 9, 1969 and when the last Daimler V8-250 is completed on August 5, 1969, it is definitively over and closed with project Utah.
Daimler Sovereign