Jaguar celebrates Le Mans-winning C-type with continuation series

Sports Car News

Jaguar will pay tribute to its Le Mans-winner with a run of continuation C-types

Jaguar C-type continuation

Jaguar will build eight C-type continuation cars

©JDHT

Jaguar has announced a continuation run to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its Le Mans-winning C-type.

A limited number of new C-type Continuation cars will be hand-built at its Classic Works facility in Coventry 70 years on from the original.

The car was made between 1951 and ’53 and helped Jaguar on the way to seven wins at the Le Mans 24 Hours. 53 were built originally while the new continuation series will have eight examples built to reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning car specifications.

A 3.4-litre straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors totalling 220bhp and disc brakes will reflect the 1953 winner in each of the continuation models.

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Jaguar’s engineers have used archive designs in tandem with scan data from an original C-type to ensure the continuation models are as authentic as possible.

Original technical drawings and company documents created by the original C-type development team including aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer and competitions manager Lofty England have been referenced to ensure accuracy to the 1950s design.

While the technical specs will mirror those of the original C-type, 3D CAD engineering will allow buyers to modify their C-types to their exact specifications and desires.

“Driven by some of the most-admired racing drivers in history, the C-type laid the foundations for Jaguar’s success in endurance racing and is synonymous with design and engineering innovation,” director of Jaguar Classic Dan Pink said.

Jaguar C-type continuation

Original Jaguar documents and drawings will ensure accuracy to original design

©JDHT

“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.”

The C-type was also driven to victory by Stirling Moss at Reims in 1952. With Dunlop disc brakes, Moss achieved an average speed of 98.2mph on the way to victory in France, a first for a disc-braked car.

The new C-types will be built in time for 2022 and a celebratory racing event for the new owners.  Each of the new C-types will be eligible for historic racing, track and closed-road use.