CJM03 : Jaguar 420 Saloon - 1967

Some time around 1964 Sir William Lyons was alarmed at the poor sales in the US of the MKX Saloon, with it being labelled too big and cumbersome, with mixed reactions also to the 3.4 and 3.8 S-types styling, work began on the 420 Saloon which would have more luxuries and power with the new 4.2 XK engine. It was to fit into the Jaguar Saloon range just above the 3.8 S-type and just below the MKX and would need to be good enough to take on the sales of both cars, if they were struggling to sell, a tall order for one car. When you look at the 420 you can see what Lyons was trying to achieve, basically the body is as per the S-type, but with a smaller four headlamp MKX grafted on the front.
The S-type and 420 Saloon now, are always in the shadow of the much nicer looking MKII Saloon, but both these cars drive better than the MKII with their E-type independent rear suspensions.
Classic Jaguar Miniatures have modelled the 420 Saloon because very few models in 1:43rd have ever been produced of this important car in Jaguars history. The 420 was only made for two years, made to combat poor sales and a model to lead up to the XJ6 Series one launched in October in 1968. When the S-type was struggling to sell 3,000 units a year, the 420 sold over 10,000 units in it's short two years with a further 4,000 Daimler variants sold too.

The CJM Jaguar 420 Saloons were made with steel wheels in Light Blue with a dark Blue interior and Willow Green with a light Tan interior. Wire Wheel versions were made in Regency Red with a Beige interior and Opalescent Silver Grey with a Red interior ...... No kits were available of the CJM 420 Model.

If you have any further questions about this model, I will gladly answer you cut7jag@talktalk.net   Thank you.