Jaguar Classic production of the iconic D-type racing car is to restart in Coventry 62 years after the last example was built in 1956. The first Jaguar D-type to be assembled by Jaguar Classic, a technical prototype, will make its world debut at this week's Salon Retromobile show in Paris. 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 sports cars. For £1 million you can drive one.
The D-type, which won the Le Mans 24-hour race three times between 1955 and 1957, was powered by the six-cylinder XK engine. Every aspect of the D-types built for customers from 2018 onwards is made to authentic, original specifications. Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: "The Jaguar D-type is one of the most iconic and beautiful competition cars of all time, with an outstanding record in the toughest and most challenging races.
a sterling record in the world's toughest motor races. And it's just as spectacular today.
"The opportunity to share the success story of the D-type Continuing with the planned production run in Coventry is one of those unique projects that our world-class experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic are proud to undertake."
He is biased. But it is true that this recreation - which, judging from earlier continuations, is likely to cost more than 1 million pounds ($1.4 million) - is a special car. Compared to the value of the original, it is practically a bargain.
One that was once owned by Bernie Ecclestonethe eccentric former head of Formula One, was put up for sale last month for $12 million at a Gooding & Co. auction in Arizona. Although it did not sell, Sotheby's sold a 1955 D-Type in 2016 for nearly $22 million. At those prices, this new one, for what will probably cost less than $2 million, is practically a bargain.
The D-Type is so special because of its rarity, race wins and body style. Its shape was strongly influenced by the most advanced aeronautical technology of the time, with a monocoque cockpit made of aluminium alloy plates. At the time, designers followed a practice that originated in aviation: putting the fuel in the tail of the vehicle.
The D-type is the third continuation of Jaguar Classic and complements the six missing Lightweight E-types completed in 2014-15 and nine XKSSs built in 2017-18. The meticulous research of Jaguar Classic experts, with exclusive access to Jaguar's original technical drawings and documents, ensures that each new D-type will be built to the authentic specifications drawn up by competition manager Lofty England and his engineers in the 1950s.
D-Type customers can choose between a Shortnose bodywork from 1955 or a Longnose bodywork from 1956. The technical prototype is the 1956 Longnose specification, recognisable by the extended bonnet, distinctive tail fin behind the driver's head, wide-angle cylinder head and quick-change brake calipers.
The interior will have the same round speedometer, a thin wooden and metal-perforated steering wheel (with the steering wheel on the right, of course) and a four-speed manual transmission. The steel on the outside will also be the alloy. At the time of its original debut, the car had 250 horsepower and could reach a top speed of 167 miles per hour.
Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager, said: "Re-creation of the nine D-type derived XKSSs has been immensely satisfying, and an even greater engineering challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-types, but the lessons we've learned from the XKSS project are ahead of the final 25 D-types. They will all be absolutely correct, down to the smallest detail, exactly as Jaguar's Competitions Department intended. "
Raphaël van den Poel, former fashion consultant of Scapa, Reinhard Frans and Atelier NA tailored suits,
writes our weekly blog on gentleman matters. He works for MYX Magazine, a Flemish luxury lifestyle platform.
He also has his own blog which you can read here: http://belgiandandy.blogspot.com
Raphaël van den Poel
The Belgian Dandy
