JAGUAR D-TYPE
JAGUAR RESTARTS PRODUCTION OF LEGENDARY D-TYPE RACE CAR
THE FAMOUS Jaguar D-type is going back into production in Coventry, 62 years after the last example was built in 1956.
The engineering prototype of the ‘new' D-type made its global debut to a standing ovation, at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris, in early February.
The D-type is identifiable by its extended Longnose bonnet, tail fin behind the driver's head, wide-angle cylinder head and quickchange brake calipers.
Back in 1955 Jaguar's plan was to build 100 D-types, but with only 75 completed, Jaguar announced just 25 examples of the D-type will be hand-built at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic works in Warwickshire. Buyers can choose between1955-spec Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose body work.
In creating the new/ old Jaguars, Jaguar Classic experts' painstaking research ensures each will be built to the authentic specifications laid down by competitions manager Lofty England and his engineers in the 1950s
Powered by a straight sixcylinder engine from the XK, the D-type won the Le Mans 24 Hours race three times between 1955 and 1957.
Every aspect of the 'new' D-types will be created to authentic, original specification.
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 world's toughest motor races. And it's just as spectacular today.
“The opportunity to continue the D-type's success stor y, 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 of production shortfalls from Jaguar Classic, having completed the six lightweight E-types in 2014 and nine XKSSs built in 2017.
Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager, said: “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.”