UK Special Saloon + Modsports Historical Database

Jaguar Mk 1 /Mk 2 saloons

Albert Betts

Pete Brown

Rod Forbes

Tony Strawson

Car : Jaguar Mark 1 Reg : UXF 363

Car : Jaguar Mark 1 Reg : not known

Car : Jaguar Mark 1

Reg : VYM 924

Car : Jaguar Mark 2 Reg : not known

Car : Jaguar Mark 2 Reg : BUY 12

Mark 2's with the new 3.8 litre engines arrived in the Brirtish Saloon Car Championship in 1960 replacing the mark 1.John Coombs' team of pearl grey mark 2's for firstly Roy Salvadori and joined by Graham Hill for '62 won 11 rounds to the end of '63. The Guildford company modified mk2s for customers and Autocar's figures stated 0-60 mph times reduced from the standard 8.5 to 7 seconds with 2 inch carbs in full racing spec. According to JaguarMk2info 'John Coombs also had three or four 3.8 Litre Mk2s raced by his team with the registration numbers BUY1 and BUY12.'

One such car was later bought by Tony Strawson. 'For 1969 we bought the ex-Coombs/Salvadori Jaguar Mk2 'Buy12'...it was a complete disaster. It disintigrated nearly every meeting but we stuck with it for nearly 3 seasons.The best we ever did was a first in class,second to Jonathan Buncombe at Castle Combe'. said Strawson in his 1974 interview with Bob Constanduros. Tony advertised the Jag in 1972 described as 'giving nearly 300 bhp' but by then had the ex-Howes Ford Falcon to play with too. Results do show Tony did persevere with the car and he did get some class finishes in 1971 and 72.

Rod Forbes' mark 2 had a distinctive loook with its blacked-out grille ,wheels and bonnet. Forbes was part of the Walworth Racing Team that included Brian Spicer in matching Jaguar E-Type in Modsport races.

John Morgan raced this red mark 1 for Tony Williams of the Risca Garage near Cardiff ,in the `60's and '70's particularly at Combe and Llandow. The team ran 2 cars for a while and Morgan + Williams finished 2nd + 3rd in class in one race at Thruxton in March 1974.

The Mk2 car ( left ) later featured new wider body work painted in livery inspired by the Broadspeed ETCC XJ12 racer and had the engine moved further back. Williams continued to race the car after moving to the US though he and the car have since returned

John Morgan raced this red mark 1 for Tony Williams of the Risca Garage near Cardiff ,particularly at Combe and Llandow. This car had a very long career as it evolved well into the '70s super saloon era when the other mark 1/2 Jaguars had long retired.

The revised car featured new wider bodywork painted in livery inspired by the Broadspeed ETCC XJ12 racer and had the engine moved further back. Williams continued to race the car after moving to the US though he and the car have since returned

Pete Brown was a Silverstone regualar in his self prepared mark 1 called 'The Yellow Beastie' .

Albert Betts was a racer/engineer who ran AWB Motors of Clapham offering tuning ,fibreglass panels and metalflake respays . Skills all displayed in his 2-tone mark 1 race car. Betts raced this car from 1957 in 2.4 form ,upgrading to 3.8, through the 60s and was still going in 1970. Not as modified as other mark 1/2s ,the wider wheels can be seen proud of the near standard bodywork. Even the chrome bumper was retained.Raced by Roger Warrel in 1972 and Car reappeared in 1975 raced by Reg Palmer still avec chrome but on wider tires.

The car has enjoyed much success in the modern age of classic motorsport in the hands of Don Law Racing of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Gerry Marshall raced it at Goodwod in september 2002 and its been a Goodwood regular since in the hands of Don and Justin Law .

Rod Forbes - Jaguar - known results 1970

Albert Betts - Jaguar 3.8 UXF363- known results 1970

Pete Brown - Jaguar - known results 1970

Pete Brown - Jaguar - known results 1971

Tony Strawson - Jaguar 3.8 - known results 1970

Tony Strawson - Jaguar 3.8 - known results 1972

The Jaguar Mark 1 and 2 saloons remain the quintessential British saloon ,all in 6 cylinder form with first 2483cc ,then 3442cc and finally sharing the 3781cc unit with the E-Type. Not just a great bank robbers getaway car these Jags dominated the big class of the British Saloon Car Championship from 1958 until 1964. Equipe Endevour and John Coombs were the top teams and used top drivers of the day. As the 60s wore on many club competitors raced their own cars in numerous club races across the country well into the 70s and this page highlights the men that kept the Jaguars roaring.

John Morgan - Jaguar - known results 1970

Peter Dodd

Car : Jaguar Mark 2 Reg : 'FB...' / '129 SFK'

Entered by Bracknell Motors Peter Dodd raced his Mark 2 in the British Saloon Car Championship in 1961 ( 1 race ),1962 ( 4 races ) and 1963 ( 3 races ) with a best finish at Silverstone '63 - 3rd. Also raced in the 1962 Brands Hatch 6 hours ETCC round. Once the Jaguar became uncompetitive Peter continued to race it at club events including at least 9 in 1965. These including gaining class wins in both the 64th ( outright ) ,66th and 67th Members meeting Saloon races at Goodwood that year. The James Utting photo from 1969 shows him in '129 SFK' in a John Filbee entered mk.2

Albert Betts - Jaguar 3.4 UXF363 - known results 1963

Albert Betts - Jaguar 3.4 UXF363 - known results 1965

www.mikehaywardcollection.com/motor-sport/touring-cars/silverstone-1048688837/super-sports-200-1972-1391625856/tony-strawson-jaguar-mk-2.html RegPalmer

John Morgan - Jaguar - known results 1975

John Morgan - Jaguar 3.8 - known results 1971

Roger Warrel - Jaguar 3.8 UXF363 - known results 1972

Albert Betts - Jaguar 3.4 UXF363 - known results 1967

Albert Betts - Jaguar 3.4 UXF363 - known results 1968

John Morgan

Reg Palmer in the old car at Combe 1975

Betts took 2nd in the Snetterton 2-hour race in 1967

Robert Clayson photo

John Morgan - Jaguar - known results 1974

'and finally we should not forget Albert Betts for his stirling efforts in the ancient but sparkling Jaguar 3.8, which continued to recall the halcyon days of Equipe Endevour' - Ian Titchmarsh in his 1969 club season review in Autosport.