Jaguar Tyres



Classic Jaguar Tyres


On the following pages, Longstone Classic Tyres give tyre fitment recommendations for classic Jaguar cars. Using their knowledge of what would have been original equipment on your Jaguar, and what historic tyres are available today, their tyre choice will be determined by what will make your old Jag handle at it’s best.


Jaguar Tyres

Although in the case of many of these classic Jaguars they would often have fitted a cross ply Dunlop RS5. Unfortunately Dunlop don’t currently make any historic road tyres. So our ideas often lead to us suggesting fitting a period radial tyre. Because today we find ourselves driving on so many dual carriage ways and motorways often a radial tyre helps these old cars become a little more suited and relaxing to drive at what is a relatively high cursing speed. Fitting a period radial tyre will improve the directional stability, and although fitting a radial tyre will always make the steering heavier than a crossply fitting a Pirelli Cinturato, Michelin X, XAS or XVS will make these derogatory effects less noticeable. Also fitting a period radial tyre will keep the cars handling progressive, where a modern tyre is utterly unsuitable.

To learn more about the best tyres for your XK Jaguar here is an article by Philip Porter from the XK Gazette



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Choosing the Correct Jaguar Tyres

"Get a Grip" by Philip Porter. This article originally appeared in the September 2013 Issue 192 of the XK Gazette.


Jaguar History

Jaguar began in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company, created by William Lyons and William Walmsley. Both were motorcycle fanatics, and the firm produced motorcycle sidecars as well as vehicle bodywork. Walmsley, on the other hand, sold out in 1934 in order to purchase the Swallow company. Lyons then established S.S. Cars Limited. They raised funds by offering stock to the general public. Their initial model was the SS 2 12 litre sports saloon. A comparable model was an open two-seater sports car known as the SS Jaguar 100.

Jaguar XK 140 Convertible
Jaguar XK 140 Convertible

The stockholders of S.S Cars agreed to change the name to Jaguar Cars Limited in March 1945. This was done so that it could not be associated with any other foreign name, which we can understand considering that it was 1945. Jaguar then earned a reputation for itself by developing successful sports cars such as the Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150, and E-Type. The Jaguar tagline was "Grace, Space, Pace," and the MK VII, IX, Mks I and II, and the XJ6 all set sales records. Jaguar won the 24-hour race at Le Mans in 1951. In 1953, they won once more.

Jaguar agreed to lease the Daimler factory from the Ministry of Supply in 1950. They were still delivering raw materials to businesses at this stage, despite the fact that the Second World War had not long since ended. Jaguar then bought Daimler from BSA in 1960. Throughout the late 1960s, Jaguar employed the Daimler mark as a brand name for its most opulent saloons. This is not the same as the Daimler brand. Pressed Steel Company Limited created all of Jaguar's bodywork; they just fitted the mechanics. The British Motor Corporation (BMC) purchased Pressed Steel in mid-1965.

Jaguar XJ 13
Jaguar XJ 13

Lyons accepted a merger offer from BMC due to the danger of reliable body supplies, and the absence of a successor to Jaguar. They subsequently established British Motor (Holdings) Limited. This happened in 1965, and the company's name was changed to British Motor Holdings in 1966.

The government was attempting to persuade British Motor Holdings to combine with Leyland Motor Corporation. Since 1967, Leyland Motor has developed buses, trucks, and Rover vehicles. The resultant merger resulted in the formation of the British Leyland Motor Corporation, a new holding company. This was released in 1968, but it was a flop. This was mostly due to bad board choices and financial troubles in the Austin-Morris division.

Around this period, Jaguar models included the S-Type, the 420, which was offered as the Daimler Sovereign, and the Mark X. The XJ was introduced in 1968 and lasted until 1992. Jaguar was listed as a separate business on the stock market in July 1984 as part of the government's privatisations. This was done to establish its own track record, and it was a big success once it was privatised. Much of success was attributed to Sir John Egan, who was appointed chairman in 1980. According to reports, Egan had resolved the major issues that were keeping Jaguar from selling additional vehicles. These included inadequate quality control, low productivity, and long delivery times. To conserve funds, one-third of the workforce was laid off. Around this period, the Jaguar XJ was completely redesigned and renamed the XJ40.

Ford made buyout bids to Jaguar's UK and US stockholders in 1989. Jaguar was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in February 1990, and the company was absorbed by Ford's Premier Automotive Group in 1999. And it was in excellent company; since 2000, Ford has also owned Aston Martin, Volvo, and Land Rover.

The S-Type debuted in 1999, while the X-Type debuted in 2001, both under Ford's ownership. Following Ford's acquisition of Land Rover, the two companies were inextricably connected. They shared numerous similar sales and distribution networks, as well as shared dealerships, and some models even shared components. They shared assembly lines for the X-Type and the Freelander 2. Ford revealed in 2007 that it planned to sell Jaguar and Land Rover. Cerberus Capital Management, One Equity Partners, Ripplewood Holdings, and Tata Motors all showed strong interest. Jaguar never turned a profit while owned by Ford.


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