Jaguar’s vision throughout its 80 year history has been relatively simple and straightforward: To produce beautiful, fast cars that are desired the world over. And as such, the automobiles produced by Jaguar have been simplistic yet classical. Demonstrating this very approach, Jaguar Classic has just re-launched the iconic D-type race car in Coventry, which marks 62 years after the last model was built in 1956.
This vintage D-type race car, which has been brought back from the past, will be re-introduced with only 25 new examples that were meticulously hand-assembled at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Warwickshire, UK. The first prototype Jaguar D-type to be assembled by Jaguar Classics made its official debut at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris on February 7. The original Jaguar D-type was set to have 100 examples in 1955, but only 75 were ever completed. Jaguar Classic has now fulfilled the company’s past aspiration by assembling the missing 25 models and releasing them as all-new, but period-accurate, sports cars.
“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,” Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said. “The opportunity to continue the D-type model’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.”
As the champion of the Le Mans 24 Hours race that won three times between 1955 and 1957, the Jaguar D-type has proven itself in the racing world with its six-cylinder XK engine. Leaving the car in the exact same condition as the original models, the D-type is built for the clients of 2018 with authentic specifications to give them a traditional Jaguar D-type experience. This re-launch is the third continuation from Jaguar Classic with the six missing Lightweight E-type models completed in 2014-15 and the nine XKSS models built in 2017-18 being the first two.
Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager, said, “Recreating the nine D-type-derived XKSS models was hugely satisfying, and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-type models, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the final 25 D-type models. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended.”
The experts at Jaguar Classic used the original Jaguar engineering drawings and records in order to make the D-type as authentic as possible to the original model. The new D-type is a blast from the past that evokes a sense of nostalgia to its clients, who also have the option of either choosing the 1955-specification Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose bodywork.
The 2018 prototype of the D-type series is the 1956 Longnose specification, which is evident by its extended hood, broadly-inclined cylinder head, quick-change brake calipers and distinctive tail fin behind the driver’s head
For more information, visit the official Jaguar website at: JaguarUSA.com.
All enquiries from prospective Jaguar Land Rover Classic customers should be directed to: info@classic.jaguar.co.uk / +44 (0) 203 601 1255 / www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic
