JAGUAR C & D TYPE: THE XK-LEGACY

The legacy of the latest F-Type from Jaguar has been well-documented, starting with the C-Type (officially called the XK120-C) built from 1951 to 1953 – essentially a racing version of the XK120 using the same lightweight tubular frame and 3.4-litre straight-6 engine but with an aerodynamic aluminium body.

The C-Type was one of the few cars winning the Le Mans 24-hour race at its first attempt (in 1951) and again in 1953, also placing second and fourth, using a thinner, lighter aluminium body, three Weber carburettors for the XK engine, a rubber fuel tank and (novel at the time) disc brakes.

The C-Type’s success led to the D-Type, designed specifically to win Le Mans. It shared many mechanical components with its predecessor but structurally was radically different – with some examples sporting the iconic vertical stabiliser associated with the type.

The D-Type did not win the Le Mans endurance event in 1954 but it achieved its first victory three weeks later at the Reims 12 Hours race. It won the Le Mans race in 1955, 1956 and 1957. In 1956 Jaguar temporarily retired from racing as a factory team and offered the remaining unfinished D-Types as XKSS versions with extra road-going equipment.

Elements of the D-Type body shape and many of its construction techniques were used in the E-Type (designated the Jaguar XK-E for the North American market) of 1961. Unlike the D-Type, it was designed for production from the outset and its combination of beauty, high performance and competitive pricing established it as a motoring icon.

With the Energy Crisis, industrial unrest in Britain and American safety legislation, amongst other reasons, leading to the end of E-Type production in 1975, it was to be replaced by project XJ21. This, however, never materialised, as it became project XJ27 which evolved into the XJ-S, produced until 1996.

The XK grand tourer replaced the XJ-S in 1996 and was built in two generations until 2014. Production ended without a replacement model – signalling the end of the XK-line. The new F-Type (project X152), however, was introduced in 2012 and it was meant to serve as the spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type…