Jaguar _x0019_s small saloon car was introduced in 1955 to complement the company _x0019_s successful sports cars and luxury saloons; it was the marque's first monocoque-bodied production car. The MkII was launched four years later, at which time the first cars became known retrospectively as _x0018_MkI _x0019_. The MkII 3.8 was one of the fastest production cars of its time, making it a favourite on the race track as well as on the roads. The cars were all finished to a high standard of luxury in wood and leather. This quintessentially British car was also popular elsewhere in the world, especially in the US.