The history of the Jaguar brand is associated with the name Sir William Lyons more than any other man. Through sheer chance Lyons came into contact with William Walmsey in 1920.

Walmsey designed Wallace and Gromit style sidecars. Together they launched the Swallow Sidecar (SS) company; an enterprise that was to blend Lyons' business know-how with Walmseys technical expertise. As a racing enthusiast Lyons was keen to associate the Swallow brand with speed and excitement.

Apart from the side car line, the company also produced bodywork for other manufacturers' sports models such as the Austin Seven and the Morris Cowles. At the 1931 Motor Show in London SS presented two models which impressed the paying public with their flair and promise of dynamic performance. However the Jaguar name did not appear until 1935 when it was used to promote the new sports line of the SS brand.

In 1940 the Jaguar team began working on the XK project. The fruits of this research were presented eight years later at the London Motor Show once more: the Jaguar XK120. The 120 stood for a top speed of 120 miles per hour, an achievement initially greeted with some incredulity by the British motoring establishment. However a public trial shortly afterwards proofed the pudding: the XK120 was clocked at 126 mph.

The beginning of the 50s saw the onset of Jaguars American conquest. A few weeks after it's launch the Jaguar MK VII secured orders stateside to the tune of 30 million pounds. This allowed the concern the financial flexibility to fund new innovative designs.

Consequently 1954 saw the first production of the XK 140 with an output of 190 bhp. As in the UK current rules in Germany see the insurance, or Autoversicherung costs, determined by engine capacity although this is set to change in favour of other criteria. An online Preisvergleich allows a good overview of the market.

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