1953 Jaguar C-Type Roadster

For the 1953 Le Mans race Jaguar developed three 'lightweight' race cars. They carried Dunlop disc-brakes, Weber carburation, small chassis tubes and thinner body panels. The engine was a double overhead camshaft six-cylinder displacing 3,442cc's and producing 223 horsepower. That power went through a four-speed gearbox to a Salisbury rear end with a limited-slip differential. The entire package topped out at 146 MPH. They proved to be very successful. Tony Rolt/Duncan Hamilton won the event outright and the Stirling Moss/Peter Walker entry came in second.

XKC 053 has had an outstanding racing career. At the end of 1953, the factory sold it to David Murray's famous Ecurie Ecosse. They entered the car in several events in and around England and Scotland. It remains the only lightweight C-Type still retaining its original bodywork.