Sovereign timeline

1959

Jaguar introduces the Mk2 in September, which ultimately forms the basis of the 420 and Sovereign. Browns Lane quickly begins development of its new compact offering into an entire range of saloons, including 1962’s Daimler 2.5 V8 and 1963’s S-type.

1964

Browns Lane begins work on a new saloon range to address the mixed reaction to the S-type and poor sales of the MkX, particularly with US buyers. It also launches the 4.2-litre version of the XK straight-six – which goes on to power the 420 and Sovereign – in the latest version of the E-type.

1965

James Smillie of Daimler dealer, Stratstone’s, complains to William Lyons that customers trading in their 2.5 V8s have nothing new to move up to – and is promptly invited to view a Daimler-badged version of a 420 prototype. He suggests the name ‘Sovereign’ for the new offering.

1966

The 420 is launched at the Earls Court Motor Show, and then the Los Angeles show later that month.

1968

420 production ends in November to make way for the XJ6 Series 1. In the end 10,326 Jaguar 420s have been made.

1969

Sovereign production ends, after 5824 examples have been made over two years. The last leaves Browns Lane in July and is sold through Stratstone’s, the dealer that championed its development.