Jaguar MKI & MKII Tire Pressures

• The correct Jaguar MKI & MKII tire pressures range from 28-36 PSI.
• To find the ideal tire pressures for your car's year, model, and tires follow the link to our Tire Pressure Guide.

• If you want a crossply tire for the early Jaguar MKI & MKII cars we recommend the 640 H 15 Avon Super Safety.
• Our recommended performance radial tire is the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67.
• For lighter steering and a pleasant drive we recommend the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS.
• To find out more information on Jaguar MKI & MKII tires follow the link to our Jaguar MKI & MKII Tire Section.

Jaguar MK1 & MK2 Tires

When it came out in 1955 the MK1 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre Jaguar Saloon originally fitted 640 - 15 crossply tires. If you desire a crossply tire then we offer the 640 H 15 Avon Super Safety. Radial tires such as the Michelin X or PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 became available in the 1950s. Pirelli currently manufactures the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67, which we believe is one of the greatest handling tires for a MK 1 Jaguar.

It is worth noting that the MKI and all subsequent models offered a "Choice of radial, town and country, or whitewall tires" as optional extras.

When they upgraded the MK1 Jaguar into the MK2 saloon in 1959, they continued to fit 640 H 15 Dunlop RS5 crossply tires. Jaguar continued to produce the MK2 until 1967. By this time Michelin had introduced the Michelin XAS asymmetric tire.

The Asymmetric XAS was created to increase the high-speed directional stability of cars such as 1950s and 1960s Jaguar saloons. The Michelin 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS radial tire is ideal for a Jaguar MK2 or MK1 since it is tall and thin like a crossply yet has a high-quality classic carcass design. Cars without power steering should consider the XAS over the cinturato for the lighter steering it affords.

Jaguar 240 & 340 Tires

In 1968 MK2 Jaguar saloon models were rebadged as the Jaguar 240 with a 2.4-litre engine and the Jaguar 340 with a 3.4-litre engine in 1968. The 240 and 340 were a stopgap before the revolutionary Jaguar XJ6 with low profile radial tires!

The Jaguar 340 and 240 retained the MKII Jaguar and MK1's original equipment tires, a 640 H 15 Dunlop RS5 Crossply. Dunlop no longer manufactures vintage road tires. The 640 H 15 Avon Super Safety is currently the best crossply. Likewise, most people believe that a radial tire makes the MKII Jag 340 and 240 a better drive on modern roads.

We recommend the Pirelli Cinturato as an excellent sporting tire and the 180 HR 15 Michelin XAS for lighter steering and high speed directional stability. According to our historical fitment guidelines, the MK1, MK2, 240, and 340 Jaguar premium sports saloons were all introduced with tube-type wheels. Many Jaguar wheels of this era have spoked wire wheels, all wire wheels require innertubes. The Michelin 15F innertube is the tube we recommend for these tires.

The Jaguar MK1 and MK2, as well as the 240 and 340 models, were mid-sized luxury saloons produced by the British car manufacturer Jaguar Cars between 1955 and 1969.

The Jaguar 2.4 saloon (or Mark 1) was presented at the 1955 Motor Show as a car to fill the gap in the Jaguar range between the athletic XK series and the luxury Mk VII. Jaguar recognised that a huge segment of the public needed an affordable quality automobile and felt they were the ones to do it. This was Jaguar's (and William Lyons') first attempt at monocoque construction, hence it was fairly over-engineered.

The MK1, introduced in 1955, featured a modern monocoque chassis, independent front suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes, making it a competitive alternative to contemporary offerings by Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The MK1 was powered by a 2.4-litre, 6-cylinder engine, capable of producing 112 horsepower.

The Jaguar 2.4 had a short-stroke variant of the famed XK six-cylinder twin-cam engine (thus the 2.4 designation), as well as plenty of leather and wood in the interior.  This did not change the fact that the 2.4-litre car could only provide its owner "grace and space." In order to offset this and give the Jaguar its "pace," a 3.4-litre version was launched in 1957 offering 210 horsepower, and was offered with either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission. Soon after, disc brakes became available!!

In 1959, the MK1 was replaced by the MK2, which featured a more streamlined body design, improved performance, and a wider range of engine options. The MK2 was available with 2.4-litre, 3.4-litre, and 3.8-litre engine options, with the 3.8-litre engine producing 220 horsepower and having a top speed of 120 mph.

Jaguar had learnt a lot about the Mk1's monocoque construction techniques at this stage. This knowledge was put to good use in the development of the Mk2 bodyshell. The large windscreen pillars of the early automobile were substituted with a smaller design as the shell was more than sturdy enough, making the inside appear more spacious and increasing vision.

The visual differences between the MK1 and the MK2 were mainly in the body design, with the MK2 featuring a more streamlined and modern appearance. The MK2 had a slimmer front grille, a more squared off rear end, and elongated headlights, giving the car a more aggressive look. The MK2 also featured a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission and disc brakes on all four wheels. The MK2 quickly gained popularity among the British public and was used by the British police force as a high-speed pursuit vehicle, it was also favoured by bank robbers. The MkII also was extremely successful as a racing car.

Jaguar Mark 2 Racing

In 1962, Bob Jane drove a 3.8 litre Mark 2 to victory in the Australian Touring Car Championship. The same year, Michael Parkes and Jimmy Blumer also won the Motor Six Hours International Saloon Car Race with a 3.8 litre Mark 2. Peter Nöcker then claimed victory in the 1963 European Touring Car Challenge driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2. Bob Jane later won the 1963 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2 that was fitted with a 4.1 litre engine. Finally, in 1963, Roy Salvadori and Denny Hulme won the Brands Hatch 6 Hours driving a 3.8 litre Mark 2.

In 1967, the MK2 was replaced by the Jaguar 240 and 340 models, which were essentially updated versions of the MK2 with minor cosmetic changes. The 240 and 340 models had improved brakes, as well as more refined engines. In terms of performance, the 240 and 340 models had a slightly faster top speed than the Mark 2. The 240 and 340 models also had a smoother ride and improved handling thanks to their updated suspension systems.

The Jaguar MK1 and MK2, as well as the 240 and 340 models, were significant cars in Jaguar's history, representing a major step forward in terms of technology and design for the company. These models helped cement Jaguar's reputation as a maker of high-performance luxury saloons, and their influence can still be seen in modern Jaguar vehicles today. With their classic styling, impressive performance, and innovative engineering, the MK1, MK2, 240, and 340 are beloved by enthusiasts and collectors alike.