
The Complete Book of Jaguar
Every Model Since 1935, Second Edition
Nigel Thorley(Author)
Motorbooks (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 26. February 2026
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-7603-9761-9 (ISBN)
Description
Take an exhilarating ride through Jaguar production history, from the original SS to the I-PACE EV, with narratives, photos, and spec tables for each.
In 1935, a pair of motorcycle enthusiasts in Coventry, England-William Lyons and William Walmsley-established a firm called the Swallow Sidecar Company. Soon, they pivoted to automobiles, launching a sporting saloon (i.e., sedan) called the Jaguar SS. The decision set in motion the company that would create Britain's most beloved line of high-performance automobiles.
The Complete Book of Jaguar, 2nd Edition, tells the whole story with:
A thorough profile for every production model, presented in chronological order
Spec tables highlighting key technical and performance specifications and their changes across each model
Narratives by distinguished motoring historian Nigel Thorley discussing the innovations and technology featured in each model
Color photography of new and restored examples
Historical black-and-white imagery
A new chapter covering Jaguar's commitment to an alt-fuel future with extensive up-to-date coverage of the hybrid E-PACE and F-PACE SUVs and the I-PACE EV
As you turn the pages, follow Jaguar's trajectory to becoming one of the world's most celebrated automakers. In England's bleak postwar years, the company was a shining star-first with its XK120, followed by the XK140 and XK150. Sporting sedans like the Mark 2 and Mark X set the bar for luxury four-door transport in the '50s and '60s. Then Jaguar stunned the world in 1961 with the achingly beautiful E-Type, a genuine 150 mph sports car. Though Jaguar lost its way periodically in the modern era, it has bounded back stronger than ever in the twenty-first century with a strong lineup that includes the new F-Type sports car.
The Complete Book of Jaguar, 2nd Edition, is the essential and most current guide to one of the truly iconic marques in the history of sports and luxury automobiles.
Filled with photos and data-packed spec charts, Motorbooks' Complete Book series presents automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts with authoritative histories celebrating their favorite vehicles. Some other subjects in the series include Corvette, Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Ducati, BMW Motorcycles, Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars, and Volkswagen GTI.
Also available from the series:The Complete Book of Ford Mustang, The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, The Complete Book of Corvette, The Complete Book of Porsche 911, The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars, The Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro, The Complete Book of Classic Ford Tractors, The Complete Book of Classic John Deere Tractors, and The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens.
In 1935, a pair of motorcycle enthusiasts in Coventry, England-William Lyons and William Walmsley-established a firm called the Swallow Sidecar Company. Soon, they pivoted to automobiles, launching a sporting saloon (i.e., sedan) called the Jaguar SS. The decision set in motion the company that would create Britain's most beloved line of high-performance automobiles.
The Complete Book of Jaguar, 2nd Edition, tells the whole story with:
A thorough profile for every production model, presented in chronological order
Spec tables highlighting key technical and performance specifications and their changes across each model
Narratives by distinguished motoring historian Nigel Thorley discussing the innovations and technology featured in each model
Color photography of new and restored examples
Historical black-and-white imagery
A new chapter covering Jaguar's commitment to an alt-fuel future with extensive up-to-date coverage of the hybrid E-PACE and F-PACE SUVs and the I-PACE EV
As you turn the pages, follow Jaguar's trajectory to becoming one of the world's most celebrated automakers. In England's bleak postwar years, the company was a shining star-first with its XK120, followed by the XK140 and XK150. Sporting sedans like the Mark 2 and Mark X set the bar for luxury four-door transport in the '50s and '60s. Then Jaguar stunned the world in 1961 with the achingly beautiful E-Type, a genuine 150 mph sports car. Though Jaguar lost its way periodically in the modern era, it has bounded back stronger than ever in the twenty-first century with a strong lineup that includes the new F-Type sports car.
The Complete Book of Jaguar, 2nd Edition, is the essential and most current guide to one of the truly iconic marques in the history of sports and luxury automobiles.
Filled with photos and data-packed spec charts, Motorbooks' Complete Book series presents automotive and motorcycle enthusiasts with authoritative histories celebrating their favorite vehicles. Some other subjects in the series include Corvette, Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Ducati, BMW Motorcycles, Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars, and Volkswagen GTI.
Also available from the series:The Complete Book of Ford Mustang, The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, The Complete Book of Corvette, The Complete Book of Porsche 911, The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars, The Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro, The Complete Book of Classic Ford Tractors, The Complete Book of Classic John Deere Tractors, and The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens.
Reviews / Votes
"Mr. Thorley's work provides - in one volume - a brilliant historical overview." -- David Boldt * TX Garage *More details
Series
Edition
Second Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
Illustrations
color photos
Dimensions
Height: 313 mm
Width: 257 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
1984 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7603-9761-9 (9780760397619)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2026
2nd Edition
Motorbooks
€59.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
09/2019
Motorbooks
€75.80
Article not available for order
Person
Nigel Thorley is a well-regarded motoring historian with a particular interest in the Jaguar marque. Having owned 61 examples of the brand since the age of 17, including 16 MkIIs, his knowledge and expertise of these cars is second to none. Nigel has written 20 titles on the marque, has contributed to TV and radio programs, regularly provides talks and seminars on the models, and is a prominent founder member of the Jaguar Enthusiast's Club. He also edits their prestigious monthly magazine, Jaguar Enthusiast.
Content
Preface
Introduction: What's in a Name?
Chapter One: Model to Marque
The Early Pushrods
Chapter Two: The Postwar Pushrod Years
Chapter Three: The Straight-Six XKs
Chapter Four: The Flagship Saloons
Mark VII to 420G
Chapter Five: Mass Market Compacts
Mark 1, Mark 2, S-Type, and 420
Chapter Six: The Iconic British Sports Car
E-Type
Chapter Seven: One-Model Policy
The XJ Series
Chapter Eight: Grand Tourer: XJ-S
A Cat of Nine Lives
Chapter Nine: Big Saloon Development
XJ40 to X-308
Chapter Ten: The Return of the XK
X-100 to X-150
Chapter Eleven: New Markets in the Millennium
Chapter Twelve: Later Internal Combustion Jaguars
Chapter Thirteen: From ICE to EV
Index
Introduction: What's in a Name?
Chapter One: Model to Marque
The Early Pushrods
Chapter Two: The Postwar Pushrod Years
Chapter Three: The Straight-Six XKs
Chapter Four: The Flagship Saloons
Mark VII to 420G
Chapter Five: Mass Market Compacts
Mark 1, Mark 2, S-Type, and 420
Chapter Six: The Iconic British Sports Car
E-Type
Chapter Seven: One-Model Policy
The XJ Series
Chapter Eight: Grand Tourer: XJ-S
A Cat of Nine Lives
Chapter Nine: Big Saloon Development
XJ40 to X-308
Chapter Ten: The Return of the XK
X-100 to X-150
Chapter Eleven: New Markets in the Millennium
Chapter Twelve: Later Internal Combustion Jaguars
Chapter Thirteen: From ICE to EV
Index