Jaguar Mk2 Classic Car Review - Paul Woodford

Motoring presenter and classic car enthusiast, Paul Woodford's gets to know one of the most famous TV getaway cars of all time - the Mk2 Jaguar.
The Mk2 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful saloon cars ever built. So what made this car so popular with the bank robbers of The Sweeney?
Paul Woodford gets to the heart of the Mk2 Jaguar's big (and small) screen role, in this car review film with a difference.
For the full series of car films, visit www.carfilms.co.uk, and why not join the conversation on Twitter - @PaulWoodford84 / @ClassicsDriven.
Thanks to Great Escape Cars for the beautiful Mk2 Jaguar, one of their fleet of over 30 classic hire cars, from Minis to muscle cars.
The soundtrack to this film includes content from brilliant film music composer Ross Bugden. Check out his KZbin channel and follow him on Twitter for more - @RossBugden.
Thanks for watching!

[@steepskier5301]

"You turn when you are ready" So funny! Beautiful car! I own a 1963 MKII 3.8 4speed over drive. A Gorgeous classic.

[@peterbaker9673]

This is a proper Jag not the crap they make today

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Makes me smile how a young bloke like this references 60s and 70s TV cop,shows that were on before he was born as if he lived through the era and can remember them. Nice car though

[@syntetiskvag4458]

ITV 4 still shows the Sweeney

[@johnnywires943]

My dad owned a 1968 silver one with red leather inside on a Daimler badge,The engine was a 2.5l.That to me was a beauty of a car and very reliable.Remember him having to fill it with 5 star petrol.Those were the days.

[@promerops]

I can't see a Mk 2 without my pulse quickening and all sorts of memories flooding back. Thanks for the video.

[@promerops]

Thanks for the feedback. I, too, have a thing for the Mk1 XJ6 - especially the oh, so handsome Daimler version. These (Jag or Daimler) were the cars to have when I lived in London in the early 70s. The waiting list for one was about twelve-months, as I remember. A number of my colleagues were ordering them and making a nice profit selling once delivered - but that's sordid commerce! Unfortunately, here in South Africa, the locally made XJ6 Srs 1 was appallingly badly made and it's very seldom one sees one - in any sort of condition. Cheers.

[@elguapo5620]

Mark II is simply gorgeous. Nice video, there is not a lot of videos about this classic beauty. Well done !

[@saxgarcon6867]

El Guapo it’s more than a beauty, it’s art

[@paulpaul8861]

It kind of a has a look that with a few changes wouldn't look that our of place with today's cars. I think cars got ugly in the 70s, 80s and early 90s before improving against in the late 90s.

[@dima.english]

Amazing review! Thank you so much!

[@scotty6346]

Why are MK2's always linked to the 'Sweeney' I never saw a MK2 in the Sweeney, They always used S-Types and latterly XJ6 S1's !

[@f-u-nkyf-u-ntime]

A Mk2 is my bucket list car, I currently own an XF and an XJ, both great cars but it was the Mk2 when I was 6 years old that sparked my love for Jaguars and I still want one now. I'd want to resto mod it though.

[@robharding4028]

This British classic does not need the criminal getaway label ! It deserves a much better persona, One of class ! refinery, and pure good looks.

[@robharding4028]

Ever since I was a young boy in the early 60's, this car has always fascinated me, I'm not all together sure why, It has to be those long curves, and its sleek look .What else can it be.

[@CarFilms]

I think for such a big car, it had such remarkable performance, too. These days we take that combo for granted, but in the ‘60s it must have been quite a revelation!

[@robharding4028]

@@CarFilms I'm still not sure what the attraction was to me, all those years ago, but whatever it was, its still there !

[@roeng1368]

They didn't chase a mk2 in the sweeney, it was an s-type.

[@johntechwriter]

r

[@nickeldridge9454]

+ ro eng : Indeed, they were usually S-Types. The stunt-drivers who did the chase sequences would have liked these much better that the Mk.2s because they handled much better ... they had the same independent rear suspension that was fitted in E-Types, twin petrol tanks fitted just behind the rear wheel arches ballasted the cars well and made them slightly 'tail heavy' ... nice and predictable for sliding the back around ... also a longer wheelbase so a better balanced car than a Mk.2 altogether. The Mk.2s had an old fashioned solid back axle and leaf springs, quite primitive really... they could suffer from 'axle tramp' and could be quite twitchy if you turned the power on too quickly. I had the Daimler version of an S-Type once ... the Sovereign 420 (with the 4.2 instead of the S-Type 3.8 engine ... it was a superb car for handling. It reliably did only 14 mpg.

[@Punisher9419]

I think you'r forgetting it's Morse's car.

[@Rapture77]

So insightful

[@michaeljeffra9529]

What a great looking car.

[@remolabarca3914]

Speaking 6 minutes without saying _anything_ interesting of this masterpiece car…. Congrats, pal!!!

[@CarFilms]

Watching something you don’t enjoy for six whole minutes. You win. 👊🏻

[@raymondchadman7999]

The mk 2 and the E type won't die in our life time ,the design( shape) is unique

[@theroselliteam-realtors4846]

My father had one, primrose yellow exterior, black interior. Awesome car!

[@brianwhelan5382]

There's something about a Mark 2 Jaguar that other cars do not have and with a properly installed HHO system, it should be possible to increase its very low mpg which is around 16 mpg!

[@hoppinonabronzeleg9477]

The Sweeney drove a Consul GT not a Granada. Looks similar, but not the same!

[@robharding5345]

Forget the link with bank robbers and cop tv shows, This car is a true classic , like no other, When I first saw one of these mk 2's back in the mid 60's, I loved the appearance , the shape, the noise it made, the whole damn package has stayed with me ever since.But I could never afford one, No other car has had this effect on me. But I'm leaving it a bit late to get my hands on one.I need to get real lucky with my betting habit, Maybe If I hadn't wasted all my money on the habit, I could have had one by now,

[@tanglewood777]

The mk2 2 was the bank robbers car b cause nothing the police had could Catch it till the old Bill got them

[@ForzaHorizonandMotorsportFan]

This exact car was on Antiques Road Trip in series 15, and Flipping Profit in both seasons

[@julianhalsby1367]

I bought a 3.8 Mark 2 automatic in the late 1970's for very little having seen it at a local garage. It was a wonderful car, very powerful with amazing acceleration but didn't have power steering so quite hard work to drive, especially on country roads. The boot never flew open but it did suffer another fault - the fuel pump occasionally jammed. I tried various remedies including a new pump, but eventually resorted to keeping a rubber tipped hammer in the boot which got it going again. Sadly I had to sell it after 10 years because I lost the garage I was renting, but I made a big profit. The only car I've ever had that I've sold at a profit. I still hanker after buying another one.....

[@Raywilliamjohnston1]

Loving the channel Paul. Stick at it.

[@Brookside975]

I loved the last scene of this vignette. Reminded me of the times I was left stranded in my Mark VIII. (But I still loved all my Jags, although it was a love/hate relationship at times.

[@navelriver]

I have never seen those TV shows. This car reminds me of Mike Hawthorn and his Mk 1. Beautiful car in any case.

[@hendrixblues2540]

A common misconception is that MK2 Jags were the villains cars in The Sweeney, they were S-Types! You would think that a motoring presenter would do his own research and not repeat a misconception. Nice film though.

[@allanarmstrong4333]

Never seen a mk 2 in any episodes of the Sweeney. S types yes but no mk 2s. Oh mabe I missed the Mondeo filler cap.

[@zachgoldstein4963]

Hey Pauly, so sad you were unsuccessful with your Top Gear quest. They've surely missed out on the best car TV presenter... Maybe when they've got their ducks all in a row they'll realise their mistake. Love you dude. Keep up the fantastic videos, I know lots of men in America love watching and listening to your Richard Hammond impressions! Zach X

[@tanglewood777]

hes better than the 3 pratts that are on ther now

[@PhillipB1972]

Loved your video.....can't decide whether you liked the car or not. Think you did....hard not to.

[@CarFilms]

Thanks - I did like it, matches my sideburns 😂👍🏻

[@liberschndt486]

That cigar lighter though >>>

[@AndrewClark4MarkRacing]

Excellent-great fun

[@jimmatthews1889]

a lot of the chase cars in the sweeney were s types not mk2s the intro is an stype with its boot flying up

[@danielwalker2613]

Its wetwo and pwactical ....Love it

[@MaitreMark]

good intro

[@shadowgwm]

Awesome car. We had one when I was little. It was so cool I remember the ours was Navy blue. Left had drive. I was only 3, but it made an impression. Unfortunately after several years it needed a new transmission. It was going to be 6 months and with shipping $2000. Back then you could buy a whole car for that. My Dad a mechanic filled it with ST and traded it in for a 1965 bright red Chevrolet Impala Convertible . It was nice, but certainly not a Jag.

[@navelriver]

Well if you're just going to abandon it on the road, I might as well take it.

[@peteturner1944]

My first car!

[@schmittdjeson]

*how much juguar MK2 price? Under $250,000?*

[@alexhaynes6217]

The 'baddies' in the 'Sweeny' clearly had good taste in driving Jags but there was a deal with the Ford Motor Company, who supplied the makers with the cars for the show that the 'goodies' would drive Fords, no 'baddies' would drive Fords and all car wrecks would be non Fords. Some would say, though, 'better a wrecked Jag than a mint condition Ford'. It's just a matter of good taste.

[@TIMG128]

What on earth is this guy talking about??? A ford mondeo filler cap? Utter balls.

[@omarks]

pretty bizarre all round. The Coombs racing spec MkII's dominated 60's saloon car racing and could be bought or replicated as street cars. The hot ticket for getaways was therefore that car, and the police soon had equivalent spec cars. Later in the 60's the S type had independent rear suspension and less axle tramp when cornered fast. Since they had a film crew and a very nice MkII (whose is it, no credits) big waste of time repeating all the old cliches. Nice camera work though

[@thomaspalmer3923]

Brake fluid/handbrake warning light on!

[@denmarkthompson2899]

Elegantly beautiful .👀👑

[@kevinmanns7170]

Or even beautifully elegant !!

[@harryeisermann2784]

yes British car as it ones was. MK2 super. I owned 1961 model. driving to work and holidays. great vehicle great classic. In 1969 was rusted out, went to the yard. body rusted under yr bum. living in NL that time a great shame, sorry to say

[@TIMG128]

"flawed hero"? Total nonsense

[@jamesbarratt593]

Was just trying to use as many words as possible. Did not say about the suspension, the type of brakes, the heater, the service recommendation for tuning every 2500 miles which is in the service book. He left out so much.

[@paulbroderick8438]

And to think that an Amazon building now stands where this car was manufactured at Jaguar Cars Ltd, Browns Lane, Coventry! William Lions must be spinning in his grave!! Greetings from ma Brit residing in the USA.

[@racketman2u]

4:07 is that fibreglass I see behind the wheelarch?

[@neilstevens8504]

Either he was short of brake fluid or he ad the handbrake on? Also isn't this the guy who called isigonis- isignosis? He will never live that one down!

[@pierrec8174]

Lovely! Can you tell what is the color's name? Who made it?

[@zurdoremi]

no, it does not have it all. It does not have the independent rear suspension of the S type. No the MK-2 was not ahead of its time, but the S type was. It was only ahead of the S type because it came first. But Volkswagen tail lamps?

[@nigelparker5886]

Nothing really wrong with the fuel filler cover, ahead of its time maybe, but that steering wheel has to go...yuk! Cheers

[@cphillips297]

Um... and all this time the handbrake was on?

[@S7EVE_P]

Really good except for the background music, which if essential probably should have been Wagner.

[@billolsen4360]

Most sexy sedan/saloon

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

I have seen two examples of this car fitted with 350 Chevy V8 s Made it much more reliable and really cool

[@frankkemble2103]

Beautiful car and I've always wanted one but it was never a classy car. It was the kind of car that the working man would imagine aristocrats to drive. The irony is that the car was always lusted after by the dodgy element of society and the getaway driver was just a small part of that group. I remember used car lots in the UK being awash with these and in usually in varying states resulting from abuse.

[@jstevenson7121]

Shame about the Moto-lita.

[@jamesfrench7299]

I always thought they were a dinosaur to look at inside and out, just not my type of car. Always particularly detested that sausage shaped rear window. Nice exhaust though.

[@kevinmanns7170]

You have NO taste.

[@4WDIESEL1]

MORSE,,,

[@Topcat1952]

Yes! I only associate the Mk II with that great detective.

[@simonfoster1943]

Rubbish

[@philcopson3900]

Has anybody, anywhere ever done a remotely sensible video about these cars ? What a load of childish nonsense !

[@geraldswain3259]

This revue is so full of shit the sewage outlet must must have been blocked for six months !!!.

[@turbo3492]

Possibly the most pointless and ill informed classic car review I have ever seen.