Dont want to go too overboard but i reckon the s type and mk 2 are probably two of the most beautifull designs from the sixties and not just designs of cars but all design. The more i look at my s type the more spectacularly good looking i think it is.

 

That, and the Silver Cloud and Bentley S Type, some, but not all of the coach built ones from James Young, HJ Mulliner and Hooper etc. were even more elegant.

And then along came the Shadow T Type with its slab-side styling, while still looking nice, it just didn't have that elegance that once was.

Lets not forget about the Jaguar's Mark 7 and 9 !
I saw a Mark 9 in the wild a few years back going through an intersection and my jaw dropped !

 

Pics!

 

 

 

Opalescent red? That's the original colour of mine. Beautiful.

 

I am old enough to remember when the original S-type (series) was launched. I can also remember thinking "what were they thinking when they grafted that MK-X rear end on the MK-2?"

My feelings on that issue have softened over time, as the MK-X style sheet metal also gets you an E-type style rear suspension! I do tend to think darker colors look best on the S-type as they tend to mask the panel line on the trailing edge of the rear doors, which does looks like something of a compromise.

Would I buy a nice S-type today...? In a heartbeat...

 

No, it's 1990 Crimson. A bit darker. When I was restoring mine I couldn't find a formula for Opalescent Maroon, so I went with a more modern colour that was close. My car was originally a champagne- beige, I think that's Golden Sand. Looked very boring on that shape.

 

Nice looking car

 

This is a pic of the S Type I've always liked. The styling has stood the test of time.

 

Its a knockout.

 

comparing the S type to the MK-2 is pointless, they are two different cars, sure, the front looks similar to a MK-2 but that is it. The S type has the E-type's rear suspension and that is why they had to elongate the rear third of the S type.

Is the MK-2 prettier? yes.

Is the MK-2 better? depends.

I have driven both, the S type is the better ride, a lot better, very close to the XJ.

Is the S type faster than the MK-2 ? no.
Is the S type handling better ? yes.
is the S type bigger inside? yes.
is the S type dash a lot nicer? yes.

Is the MK-2 over-rated and overpriced ? yes.
Is the S type under-rated and underpriced ? yes.

 

You are right in one sense but they are actually two different models of the same car. Same power plant, gearbox, steering, front suspension. Rear axle and suspension is better and certainly the boot is bigger.
I have driven both and prefer the S Type. I prefer the back end lines better than the Mk2 which I think is stunted. I agree with all your comments apart from;

Is the MK-2 prettier? No. The S Type is longer and more elegant. The contrast of the curves at the front and long back end go well together.

Is the MK-2 better? Depends on which one you own. S type for me please.

 

What colour is that? Is it a Jaguar colour?
It looks fantastic.

 

Its a great photo and a great colour. I remember when I was first considering getting an S type Glyn threw this one up on this site - looks great. Green is a colour that seems to suit them. The gentleman I bought mine from has another green one - slightly lighter but in that opalescent style.

 

Chris ~ Yes it's a genuine Jag S Type colour. I have all the colour combos by different years should anyone be interested.

Opalescent Dark Green





Credit James Taylor.

 

Seems James Taylor has got it wrong again or my car was a one off Glyn. The original colour of my S Type was Warwick Grey but it has a Black interior not Tan or Red. Warwick grey was a horrible colour, more like an under coat in my opinion which is why a changed it to Cream. My car was previously a one owner from new and dear old Sid must have liked the Warwick grey as he picked that colour off the forecourt and kept it for 45 years before before I got hold of it.

Sid Morris the original owner of my S Type for 45 years

Taken in 2018 for its 50th Birthday now in Old English White/Cream.

 

Yours is a 1968 Rob where black was one of the standards with Warwick Grey in Ambla. The factory would do special orders as well.
Fog lamps on your car would have been ordered from the extra cost options list. Horn grills were standard like US cars by then.





credit James Taylor

 

That solves that one then. Mine was built September 67 but not registered on the road until February 1968.

 

The opalescent colours are particularly attractive. My Mk2 is Opalescent Dark Green. It has an unfortunate cloak of invisibility quality in empty car parks that motivates me toward Old English White. The interior is Suede Green, which is a bit of a grim shade. Opalescent paint must have been unusual in the 1960s. I don't recall seeing it on many cars of the period apart from Jaguars and Rolls-Royce.