Jaguar D-type

F-Type, pah! What you want is a spanking new Fifties Le Mans winner on your drive

This is the brand new Jaguar D-type. No, really. This Longnose-spec racer is the engineering prototype for a box-fresh run of 25 more D-types. Why? Well, because it’s excellent business and because it’s the completion of a story that started more than 60 years ago.

The original D-type was a fabulously successful (not to mention exquisitely beautiful) racing car based on the earlier C-type but with low-drag aerodynamics (for the age) specifcally aimed at Le Mans success. That box was mightily ticked with a triplet of 24 Heures du Mans victories in 1955, 1956 and 1957. However, while Jaguar originally intended to produce 100 D-types, only 75 were completed before the car became uncompetitive.

So, following in the sold-out tyre tracks of the six Lightweight E-type and nine XKSS recreations, Jaguar Classic is embarking on its most ambitious project yet: 25 new D-types, to fnally complete the 100-strong production run. And the lucky buyers will be able to choose between 1955 Shortnose or fnned 1956 Longnose specifcation. Decisions, decisions.

The new cars are being built to original spec, complete with rasping straight-six engine and about as much beauty as it’s physically possible to cradle on four wheels.

Price? No word yet, but consider that the lightweight E-types were £1m each and a 1956 Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans winner sold for $21.78m a few years ago...