Legendary Le Mans Jaguar to be reincarnated 70 years on
JAGUAR lovers are to be given the chance to buy an all-new version of a legendary Big Cat.
And the recreated versions of a car that did much to build Jaguar’s reputation in motorsport are to be built on the edge of Coventry.
Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports racer by creating a strictly limited production run of new C-type Continuation car.
Just eight Continuation versions of the double-Le Mans-winning legend will be built by Jaguar Classic experts at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Ryton.
The C-type, which was originally made between 1951-53, was famed for its fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer.
The C-type won the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance race. It won the Le Mans 24 Hours again in 1953.
Dan Pink, director, Jaguar Classic, said: “Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to be able to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology – alongside traditional skills and unrivalled expertise – to reintroduce this legendary car for a new generation of enthusiasts to enjoy.”
Of the 53 Jaguar C-types built in the 1950s, 43 were sold to private owners, but the production C-type specification was limited to drum-braked cars with twin SU carburettors and 200bhp, in the style of the 1951 works cars.
The eight new C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022.
Each example will reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning works team car specification, including 3.4-litre straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors for 220bhp and disc brakes.