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1963

Jaguar S-Type 3.8 (1963)

A Mark 2 with the E-Type's clever rear suspension.

STY 38A
Jaguar S-Type 3.8 (1963)
Photo: Charles01, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

Jaguar gave the Mark 2 a longer tail, a bigger boot and the independent rear suspension from the E-Type. The S-Type rode and gripped better than the car it was based on, though it was a little heavier and slower.

Inside

The same walnut and leather as a Mark 2, with slimmer front seats to give more room behind.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Opalescent Silver Grey
Did you know?

Jaguar revived the name in 1999 for a car styled to look like this one.

Meanwhile, in 1963

The Great Train Robbery made headlines, Beatlemania took hold and Doctor Who began.

Best-selling single of 1963: She Loves You by The Beatles

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1960s car

  • Check the sills, floorpans, wheel arches and the bottom of the doors for rust.
  • Ask for any old MOT certificates, service records and bills.
  • Parts for popular cars are often available from specialists, but trim and body panels can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 020406080100120140 MPH
122 mph
First builtSeptember 1963
Age today63 years since launch
Built atBrowns Lane, Coventry
On sale1963–1968
Years in production5 years
Number madeAbout 25,000
Kerb weight1,500 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy18 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine3.8-litre XK straight-six
Power220 bhp
Top speed122 mph
Speed rankingJoint 77th fastest of 164
0–60 mph10.2 seconds
Price when new£1,759
In today's moneyAbout £48,000
Designed bySir William Lyons

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.