The Full History Of Jaguar | A Classic Car Documentary

The British Lad Who Built Jaguar | A Classic Car Documentary
In this documentary, I follow the story of Sir William Lyons, the British car designer who changed the world with his iconic Jaguar sports cars. From his humble beginnings at Swallow Sidecars to his success in the 1970s and 80s, William Lyons was a genius behind the wheel of a Jaguar. In this documentary, we follow his incredible story, designing classic cars like the XJ6 series. If you're a fan of classic cars, then this documentary is a must-watch. With its stirring narrative and stunning footage of classic Jaguar sports cars, this documentary is a classic in its own right. Thank you for watching!
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00:00 Intro
00:14 History of Jaguar
00:57 Young William Lyons
04:32 Swallow Sidecars
10:47 SS Cars
14:11 Jaguar Cars
16:38 Racing Jaguars
18:50 The 1955 24 Hours in LeMans
21:18 Mergers and Acquisitions
25:39 Death And Rebirth
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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:-
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.”

[@classiccardocumentaries]

I have always liked Jaguars and was really surprised on the life of its founder Sir William Lyons and how he started in the sidecar motorcycle industry. I feel like this story is a great video to add to my channel as it combines everything I want this channel to be about. Business stories about the world of classic vehicles. Enjoy!

[@aldoandikaa]

As always very good and informative video 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@agustinliden6189]

I love the full history of Jaguar.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jimmeryellis]

Great stuff, shame about the pronunciation and some factual mistakes.

[@jamesportrais3946]

Nicely done! Great history of the very early years rarely covered. FWIW, pronunciation (English) of Daimler would be "dame-ler", Warwickshire would be "woriksher".

[@maureencora1]

I Wish Jaguar Bring Back the 2015 2+2 XKR or Make a 2025 XE 2dr Coupe Like the 2dr XJ Coupe of 1970s.

[@peterulrich497]

The world may never again see a design as beautifull as the XKE. Shagadelic baby!

[@user-tm6nq3ou1v]

60 years old and still looks fresh . Even Enzo said it .

[@helenlloyd6564]

I'm a Jaguar fan/enthusiast. Sir William Lyons was a great inventor. I own an XJ8 also a Bentley and Lexus all brill cars but have a passion for the Jag. The history and heritage of Jaguar is only matched by very few Marques. Duesenberg, Cord, Aubern, Armstrong-Siddley, Bentley, Rolls-Royce. Sorry if I left any others. I just love luxury cars rather than sports cars. I love the ride, leather and wood.

[@getnotesonlife]

I am in a long time jaguar owner with a lot of experience with the Marque. I’m extremely well-versed in all things jaguar having spent personal time with Norman Dewis, jaguars long time test driver as well starting a jaguar club as part of JCNA Here in the USA. This was an absolutely excellent historical account of the history of the company. Excellent job! You touched on many accurate and essential key points! Thank you so much

[@Mariazellerbahn]

A parallel universe where the Mk1, Mk7M, Mk8, Mk9, Mk10, S-type, 420, 420G, XJ6, XJS, XJ40, X-type never existed.

[@V12motorsports]

And ss 100

[@russbellew6378]

And SS90 and C-Type, XK140 and XK150 . . .

[@withheld566]

Nor Xj13, factory fire, Daimler 250, vanden plas, ds420, Daimlers' massive factory that was actually the point, Peter Egan. Yet jaguar somehow appreciated access to the heavy vehicles market through Daimler instead of bsa continuing to hold those rights. At least they had the decency call themselves completely different in this new universe (jag-gwar)

[@pnojazz]

Dad had a 1967 4.2 liter XKE. I got to drive it to school occasionally. I’ve never forgotten that car!❤

[@john1703]

Jaguar was British (owned in India now, but still built in Blighty). It is pronounced as Jag - u - are, please. Austin 7s were made in Longbridge, Birmingham, although Coventry is only 35 miles away. Both places had skilled car workers. The last volume car styled by Lyons was the 1968 XJ6. You briefly showed, but did not speak of the part played by John Egan in helping Jaguar escape from the British Leyland mess.

[@amyshorephotography3759]

Really great overview of the company and Lyons' life. A quick correction, Mike Hawthorn didn't die on track but in a road accident, hitting a tree. I'm married to William Heynes' grandson, so we found this very interesting to watch :)

[@jagvette1]

Yes Mike died on The Hoggs Bypass near Guildford.

[@starfish370]

Mike Hawthorn's accident occurred on the Hogs Back, between Farnham and Guildford as I remember.

[@jimmeryellis]

Yes, not at Silverstone which is many miles away. Another correction is that Blackpool is not and wasn't then a small town, and Coventry is likewise not massively bigger.

[@DeidresTravelAdventures]

As a new owner of a 2000 XKR, I greatly appreciated your telling of the Jaguar story 👍🏻

[@clyneheretic]

At some 140,000, Blackpool is certainly not a 'small' coastal town!

[@giggiddy]

Please keep the videos longer than the typical 15-16 minutes and I'd be glad to subscribe. Great quality!"

[@timvilleneuve7244]

I enjoyed the movie Tucker, the Man and His Dream, so it was a bit distracting to see edits from that movie while explaining Lyons company and career. Maybe just using stills might portray a more accurate depiction. It's a great story and I always appreciate learning new info when it pertains to the automotive industry. Thanks.

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Fair enough!

[@richardautenzio8117]

I love Jaguars too, or I did until until after the 2010 period when they lost their individuality and are just a name today. My first car was a Jaguar and so was my second car, back in the 1970's. I never cared for the name as much as I just loved their car. Jaguar cars were not just about speed and William Lyons loved luxury and value for money. So his cars became a more practical RR with a more sportier approach. Today far to many people care about speed as status and the Jaguar car has lost its way and it's niche market, that made its great success. It was William Lyons and his taste in his cars that I fell in love with. Not the brand name.

[@insitetoursirelandltd.5795]

Brilliant. Love my X351.

[@themaltonmotorcompany5964]

Great video, greetings from an independent Jaguar dealer in Great Britain…. 🇬🇧

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Hello there!

[@DMAX_DIY]

You do a fantastic job on these videos.. Thank you ..

[@leowalless9328]

Appreciate all the effort put into producing this video, I'm sure it must have taken a ton of hours!

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. A superb & astute business opportunist!!!😊

[@SteveSaunders-rs7vc]

Mike Hawthorn was killed when his Jaguar crashed on the Guildford By pass, not Silverstone.

[@Fred_Raimer]

Yes, well over an hour away.

[@MrDirectorsCut]

really a great job and story

[@showmustgoon4167]

Great content 😮❤🎉

[@DanielSilva-gf4kk]

My dad bought his first new Jaguar last year at 84 years old, and coincidentally my older brother and sister are called João, which is Portuguese for John, and Patrícia. It's a funny coincidence but it makes the choice make even more sense. Fun fact too my dad's star sign is Leo which in Portuguese is the same as Lion and his Chinese one is Tiger. It's almost like his last car had to be a big cat. 😊

[@167curly]

Yes, you're right. The JAGWAR pronunciation is Spanish for the big cat.

[@drcoconutmonkey]

Love it. ❤

[@e.d.t432]

Im picking up my first Jaguar tomorrow, an XFR. My grandfather was from Plymouth and a huge british automotive and racing fan his whole life. Wish he was still around to feel that supercharged V8!

[@paulbroderick8438]

And to think that an Amazon distribution center now occupies the land on which Jaguar stood on at Browns Lane, Coventry, England. Sacrilege!!

[@MilosBrajkovic-rc3ik]

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi...

[@markchapman2585]

Great video

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!! 🤜🤛

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Thanks 👍

[@richardfalconer1959]

I hope nobody tells Jeff Bridges that he has a starring role in your documentary!

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

Good doco'. Thanks.

[@jamiebray8532]

Your content is just amazing. You have a great narrating voice. It really catches your attention and won't let it go till the end. Keep up the great work my friend.

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Wow, thank you!

[@piglos]

The Le Mans accident was not caused by a Mercedes braking too late for a corner. It was a lot more complex than that with 3 cars involved

[@john1703]

If anything, it was a Jaguar with discs braking suddenly to stop at the pits, forcing an Austin Healey to swerve, which collected the unfortunate third place, and overtaking Mercedes. Mercedes was still leading the race when the team withdrew because of the crash. "Nobody was held responsible."

[@crisfrey2753]

Seeing that Argentina license plate at 21:39 is crazy to me as an argentinian, lol. Thank you so much for this video, every day I like Jaguar more and more and I hope my next car will be a Jaguar. Excellent documentary you made, very interesting and enjoyable to watch all the way to the end.

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidpeters6536]

Great story nicely told (not sure about all the clips from "Tucker" though).

[@garryarmit8688]

E Type? V12?

[@TheDarkPhoenix23]

Great video, though Ford's official purchase of Jaguar happened in '89, not '84. I'm also surprised you didn't mention the XJ40 being the very last car Sir W.L. gave his blessings on, though he'd never see its production (to be released in '84 and delayed until '86.)

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Great point!

[@TheDarkPhoenix23]

@@classiccardocumentaries i also love your Porsche segment. Your vids are very well done

[@bbrcummins1984]

I have a beautiful 63 roadster for sale in Florida, absolutely beautiful car

[@settertwo]

The Jaguar name was suggested to William Lyons by John Davenport Siddeley . Armstrong Siddeley's Jaguar Aero Engine was produced from 1922- 1928 .

[@andrewdollery3807]

XJ 4 ! You mean 6. Lots of other important cars like the c type not mentioned.

[@bluemango7112]

Yes what a big stuff up there .

[@jameshampton8730]

Great video. Thanks. Just wondering why you showed an image of a cheetah at the beginning of the video instead of a jaguar.

[@EdgyNumber1]

You missed out John Egan's influence.

[@user-er4qd6gq7f]

Enzo said Jaguar was a fine automobile he rarely complemented anything.

[@williambailey8757]

How about doing one for MG/MGB?

[@markstory9093]

The Jaguar Mk 2 built for the American market. How could a documentary on Jaguar miss out on the most significant 50’s Jaguar saloon that lead to the Mk 2. The 2.4 (Mk1)! Built from 55 onwards.

[@tonyelson8336]

i have a leaping jaguar mascot in alloy did they fit these in 52 due to a shortage of chrome cheers tony e

[@russcooke5671]

THE MAN IN THE PICTURE NEXT TO THE E TYPE LOOKS LIKE DERRICK FROM THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW.

[@adrianmorrow9882]

So many mispronunciations. So little about the E-Type Jaguar and so wrong was the mention of the XJ4…??? That car never existed. It was the XJ6 and later the XJ12. Mike Hawthorn died in a road crash near Guildford - not at Silverstone. A script proofreader would have been very helpful. Apart from all the mistakes it was excellent…😂😂😂

[@bobstuart2638]

I don't see a picture of the prettiest Swallow Sports car, distinguished by relatively flat-wrapped fenders. Lyons was legendary for doing his styling right on a steel prototype, particularly on the XK 120. The accident at Le Mans was caused by a medium-speed car pulling over to pass a slow one, leaving no room for the Mercedes, and by the failure of the sand barrier which had always stopped other cars.

[@clyneheretic]

Good documentary spoiled by mispronunciation (jag-uw-ar, not jag-waa) and silly mistakes due to lack of research (XJ6, not XJ4). Hawthorne was killed on the A2 near Guildford, reputedly street racing with Rob Walker (although this is disputed) - and 100 miles from Silverstone.

[@brucewalker5890]

Daimler is also incorrectly pronounced. Also left out is mention of the excellent Mark 1 Jaguar and the demise of the road going D Type XKSS due to a disastrous factory fire.

[@sutherlandA1]

British leyland and jaguar were rescued in 1975 by the UK government and not the 80s and Ford purchased jaguar in 1989 and not 1984 which was the year it was separated from BL and was briefly independent again

[@stevepearce1913]

William Lyons started a car company called Jaguar. I don't recall any cars made by Jagwar!

[@87CoronaFender]

You have trouble with accents?

[@the-btc-tradingfloor2808]

The old man loved Jags

[@paulqueripel3493]

Just one thing. Mike Hawthorn didn't die at Silverstone, Guildford, because Silverstone is nowhere near Guildford. He died on the A3, Guildford bypass.

[@ndh641]

I’m a Jag snob. However, it would have made more sense introducing the Daimler 4.5 v8 to the American market in the XJ. The smaller capacity 2.5 was also better than the Jag 2.4. Jaguar still had the prestiege in the development of the 5.3 V12 and did hold its own around the world, particularly diring the apparent “fuel crisis” of the late 70’s.

[@CrazyPetez]

You’re taking a lot of liberties with the true Jaguar story. You neatly skipped the C Type, so I’m bowing out.

[@joeking4206]

Aaaw leave him alone. He’s American. Ask him to pronounce Birmingham 😂 However, great video. I live in Blackpool and I’m “into” cars and motorbikes but I didn’t know that Lyon’s grew up here. We had TVR here, that’s well known, but the William Lyon’s story passed me by, so thank you. Although…. Silverstone is not in Guildford. It’s in Northamptonshire. I was born in the same year as the E Type. Enzo Ferrari called it the most beautiful car in the world.

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Thanks for your kind words. Ironically, I was born in Birmingham [Michigan] and I currently live in Guilford [Connecticut]

[@joeking4206]

@@classiccardocumentaries No problem. I have friends in Cos Cob CT. I absolutely love the USA and wish I lived there. I first went there in 1973 on a school exchange programme. I have returned many times.

[@charanrai5861]

❤🎉🎉🎉

[@urismus1121]

No mention on certain models mark 5, mark 1, s type, 240, and the xj series was 6 not 4.

[@Dieubussy]

Le garçon britannique: Bravo la traduction.

[@maureencora1]

I Want a 2024 Jaguar XF Sedan & F-Pace SUV.

[@davehoward22]

Even Mr ferrari was amazed how cheap the e type was

[@voanncr]

You said "Leyland and BMH merged." Should be BMC. 25:12

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Porsche never discontinued its 911 and Jaguar should never have discontinued the e-Type. That was a huge mistake. Now the companies is in a shambles with nothing to offer. Very sad.

[@bigbadhodad3894]

I’m just glad you didn’t say Jag Wire.

[@richardautenzio8117]

The truth about William Lyons?. William Lyons was not just about speed alone. He used speed to sell his cars but his heart was in producing a true luxury car that was similar to that of a Rolls Royce but more sportier and much cheaper. Today William Lyons image, concept and uniqueness for his car has been lost, and without a badge one can find it very difficult to identify one unless it is from the old stable. I see far too many people being obsessed with speed and performance in cars today and ignoring the other qualities, which often are real practicality and real material value for money. If it fast, it's a great car attitude, and so most of the fastest cars on the roads today are the ugliest cars on the road. Because that's all they have going for them. And with that attitude we also see many of the older Jaguars today being bought for their speed and performance, rather than the full traditional unique style and quality that Jaguar once offered. People ask why are some of these older jaguars so cheap. Well it's simple. Most people just don't appreciate the full value of the car, and thus popularity always rules over common sense. I can buy a used RR Silver Shadow in excellent condition for $50,000 in Australia. I can also pay twice the price for a small popular fashionable tin can (With little to no real luxury or quality interior) from the same period which cost much less than the original quality materials used in the RR back then. It's all marketing today as the car buyer today is his own worst enemy. Through TV entertainment shows like "Top Gear" they have tapped into our juvenile mentality, and they sell us old dreams rather than practicality and good value for money reality. It work's just like the fashion industry with its expensive ripped jeans. And if you are not aware, it was fashion that invented "the emperors new clothes".

[@johnnyjrotten59]

Nissans started off as Austins too.

[@ianscorey5293]

No it’s jagyouar!!!!! You have to pronounce the U as you!!!! Waar!!! Get the bloody message!!!! Also you failed to mention the jagyouar XJS!!!! A totally brilliant car!!!! Regards Ian 👨‍🎤🇳🇿👍😂

[@PedrSion]

Mike Hawthorn was killed in a road accident not in a circuit crash.

[@gaccutler9526]

He founded Swallow Sidecars... later renamed Jaguar...

[@anthonyxuereb792]

SS cars came before Jaguar cars.

[@CrazyPetez]

Steam up your photos. The one shown at 1:48 was taken in San Francisco, USA! A place William had never been at that time.

[@sicosis]

Jaguar xj4...... really??? Silverstone...... Guildford...... really???

[@russcooke5671]

Not enough research. 👌

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

Too many errors to count.

[@jagvette1]

So now all you need to do is learn how to pronounce JAGUAR JAG U WAH. Pity it was ruined with footage from “Tucker” and other American films

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

And aluminium 🤦‍♂️

[@classiccardocumentaries]

Americans pronounce aluminum differently too???

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@classiccardocumentaries Yeah, the rest of the world pronounce it “aluminium”

[@jagvette1]

You may notice they spell it differently too. Look out for soldering sounds like they are swearing. As sting sang I’m a legal alien, but in Arizona 😅😅

[@roconnor01]

The phonetic pronunciation for this company is Jag-you-ah, not Jagwah. Cheers from the UK.

[@Hattonbank]

Only in the UK. When we worked at the Jag we didnt car how it was pronounced as long as folk bought and drove them.

[@sgranty02]

mike hawthorne did not die at silverstone

[@Wil-nh5kz]

This is inaccurate. Jaguar was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1984 and it prospered as an independent Company under the leadership of Sir John Egan. The Egan era saw major investment in a new saloon model (XJ40) as well as work on a new sports model which never made it to production. The Ford takeover did not occur until years later (1989 to 1990). The commentor has also misunderstood the TATA takeover, which had been a disaster for Jaguar. TATA has shifted much production overseas and sales are ridiculously low (who wants to buy a 'British' car made in Slovakia, China or Brasil). I suspect it's only a matter of time before TATA pulls the plug.

[@user-vc9ig3pf5y]

Only one problem they never fixed the oileaks you always knew that jaguar had been parked

[@Imagineering100]

That and the fact they were unreliable crap.

[@jeffpollard7304]

@@Imagineering100Rectified with the introduction of the new XK’s, beautiful and very reliable and very fast!!!

[@allanjoles3432]

Ford didn't acquire Jaguar until 1989 not 1984

[@merakrut]

Porsch that's what ARTHU says when he means Porsche. Too difficult.

[@larrysmith6797]

Ford didn't buy Jaguar until 1990, not 1984.

[@167curly]

And it's pronounced Damler not Dimler.

[@user-qk4qy3tu5l]

You say potato and I say potato, you say tomato and I say tomato…..

[@phantom0456]

Shaguar, HO!

[@tomgreenleaf7906]

Bizarre that you keep showing clips from Tucker, just a distraction. Also, learn to pronounce "Porsche".

[@papagen00]

The takeaway is Jaguar's bad karma from 1955 continued to its demise in 2023. Correct video title should be - "The Rise and Fall of Jaguar" My 2021 F-Type coupe will be my last Jag.

[@SteveSaunders-rs7vc]

It is JAGUAR not JAGWAR !!!!

[@borneobudi3431]

American English 😅

[@tommasosantojanni]

Queen Elizabeth once said, America and Britain are the best of friends, and share a very special bond, but are divided by language.

[@Indigenous51]

👌💯 % 😝

[@Fred_Raimer]

Really? Because Steve Jobs pronounced it Jag-WIRE LOL (no kidding)

[@tommasosantojanni]

@@Fred_Raimer exactly: you can't buy class with money 🤷🏻‍♂️😄

[@withheld566]

The early part of this video is decent but from the 60s onwards it gets quite flaky. The le mans crash is very inaccurately described. The xj13 is never mentioned nor the factory fire. Both quite defining events. The motivation for buying Daimler is completely ignored, it's also hinted that it was to get a foothold in the heavier vehicles but that's not the case BSA held onto those rights entirely. The 80s section is a complete white wash. Ford didn't sweep in and clean house. Jaguar went independent well before that and Peter Egan - who is never mentioned - made a huge turn around in both manufacturing and company fortunes. He put jaguar into a position where they were an attractive buy for Ford. Also we've kinda come to expect this but the pronunciation in this entire video is horrific. How long does it take to Google the names... Jaguar, Daimler, Leamington Spa almost no name was spared.

[@EEnnisjr]

I owned Jaguar XKE Series 1 and 3 when 15 to 25, with 2 sixes, and 2 twelves, and I can honestly tell you they are one of the biggest pieces of automotive junk to ever be built. It’s very obvious this narrator never drove, or I think even sat in one.

[@miriamdumbleton4280]

But you kept buying them, sweetie, even tho they were junk? Hmm. . .

[@peterp5889]

That's why there's saying that british are the best, society is as advanced as much as well it treats animals and especially endangered species" British motor corporation and queen friends saved the jaguar from certain evolutionary death and total extinctions, since no longer it was a popular car design or DNA genetics... Do you know that British royalty had a very special relationship with the jaguar, perhaps being reptiles as some believe, perhaps being true lovers of Nature trying to save all animals going into extinction, jaguars were lucky ®™✓

[@melvynevason7981]

It's a jaggggggggg

[@johnwarr7552]

A good video only spoiled by the presenter's inability to pronounce the word "Jaguar" which is intensely irritating.

[@daleolson3506]

Skip the music junked another video

[@andybray9791]

It’s pronounced jag u a not jag yar

[@amirnaim3675]

The British lad who built a British brand? Shocker

[@raymondjohn9942]

Guildford is nowhere near Silverstone

[@andrewjacobs3219]

They should go back to the original name , SS 100 was a great name for a car . And in the prescent time they would get more support from the corrupt Lefty / Democrat minded customer , who nowadays support an agsnda that the SS would have no problem with .

[@MikeLawson-cj4kt]

"Jag-u-wahr", "Jag-wahr". . . much ado about nothing. The name's pronounced the way I want to pronounce it.

[@adoreslaurel]

But why did Lyons waste money on producing the Mk 1 and 2 in 2.4 Engine form? Logically it had to be a money loser.