Tag Archiv: dtype

Jaguar Reproduces the D-Type

Is nothing sacred anymore?

Jaguar today at Retrombile in France that they will make exact replicas of the D-Type, the same car which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957.

Press Release:

(Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK – 07 February 2018) Jaguar Classic is re-starting production of the iconic D-type race car in Coventry, 62 years after the last example was built in 1956. The first Jaguar D-type to be assembled by Jaguar Classic, an engineering prototype, will make its world debut at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris this week.

Just 25 new examples of the D-type will be meticulously hand-built at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Warwickshire. In 1955 Jaguar planned to build 100 D-types. With only 75 completed, Jaguar Classic is now fulfilling the company’s original ambition by creating 25 all-new, period-correct sports cars.

The D-type, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours race three times between 1955 and 1957, was powered by the six-cylinder XK engine. Every aspect of the D-types built for clients from 2018 will be created to authentic, original specification.

“The Jaguar D-type is one of the most iconic and beautiful competition cars of all time, with an outstanding record in the world’s toughest motor races. And it’s just as spectacular today. The opportunity to continue the D-type’s success story, by completing its planned production run in Coventry, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects that our world-class experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic are proud to fulfil.”

The D-type is the third continuation vehicle from Jaguar Classic, complementing the six missing Lightweight E-types completed in 2014-15 and nine XKSSs built in 2017-18.

Jaguar Classic experts’ painstaking research, with exclusive access to original Jaguar engineering drawings and records, ensures each new D-type will be built to the authentic specifications laid down by competitions manager Lofty England and his engineers in the 1950s. D-type clients can choose either 1955-specification Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose bodywork.

The engineering prototype is the 1956 Longnose specification, identifiable by its extended bonnet, characteristic tail fin behind the driver’s head, wide-angle cylinder head and quick-change brake calipers.The engineering prototype is the 1956 Longnose specification, identifiable by its extended bonnet, characteristic tail fin behind the driver’s head, wide-angle cylinder head and quick-change brake calipers.

“Recreating the nine D-type-derived XKSSs was hugely satisfying, and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-types, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the final 25 D-types. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended” Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager.

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XK-SS for Sale

Today Gooding and Company anounced this 1957 Jaguar XKSS, one of only 16 surviving examples.

The estimate is at $16,000,000 – $18,000,000USD which would make it one of the most expensive British cars in the world.

This car, chassis XKSS-716 was also originally delivered to Stanley C. McRobert of Montreal who raced it in Canada until 1961.

Gooding and Company describe the car: “This particular XKSS possesses a relatively long and successful competition history, with excellent results and no record of serious incident during its career. It has a continuous, well-documented provenance that counts respected collectors among its former owners. It has also proven reliable in numerous vintage races and long-distance tours, yet remains in fundamentally original order six decades after it was built. Its recent restoration was conducted by one of the leading marque specialists, whose expertise and experience has ensured that its performance is no less impressive than its appearance.”

The car will be offered by Gooding at their upcoming Amelia Island auction. More info availble here: http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1957-jaguar-xkss/

1957 Jaguar XK-SS 716

1957 Jaguar XK-SS 716 photo by Brian Henniker

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Le Mans-winning D-Type goes up for Auction!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgeNNfydG4c

Today RMSotheby’s are anouncing the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning D-Type chassis XKD501 for their upcoming Auction in Monterey.

They call this “Unequivocally one of the most important and valuable Jaguars in the world”

XKD501 was the first customer D-Type delivered to Ecurie Ecosse, the Scotland stable founded by David Murray and known for their Scottish Flag Metallic Blue Jaguars.

Against three long-nose D-Types entered by the Jaguar factory, Ecurie Ecosse used XKD501 with factory support at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Driver’s Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart took overall honors at the 1956 Le Mans race ahead of the chasing Aston Martin DB3S.

RM describe the car: “Now offered from only its third private owner, XKD 501 checks all the proverbial boxes. It has won the most grueling contest in sports car racing, the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, and is a centrifugal component of Jaguar’s three consecutive wins at Sarthe. The Jaguar has been fastidiously maintained and serviced by just four caretakers, including a restoration by some of the world’s most knowledgeable experts. Almost unique among a run of automobiles that inevitably led hard lives, its history is refreshingly clean, concise, and incredibly well-known.”

UPDATE: Sold for $21,780,000 – the highest price ever achieved for a British automobile at auction.

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