 1951 Type C | 1953 C-Type  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |
Image credits: © Jaguar.
1952 Jaguar C-Type news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Chassis Num: 771577 |
A racing version was constructed of the XK120 and dubbed the C-Type. The following year a Jaguar C-Type claimed the ultimate prize by winning the 24 Hours of LeMans, the first of seven overall victories for Jaguar.
This Jaguar C-Type replica is alloyed bodied and was built by Proteus Sports Cars Ltd. It is equipped with a 3422 cc DOHC straight six-cylinder engine with two SU carburetors. It has a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes.
At the 2006 RM Auction in Meadow Brook it was estimated to fetch $100,000 - $125,000. The lot remained unsold after a high bid of $75,000 failed to achieve the reserve.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2006
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: XKC055 |
| Sold for $137,500 at 2007 RM Auctions. | |||
The race prepared cars, the C-Types, were true performance machines, and proved this by winning Le Mans in 951 and again in 1953. Jaguar would go on to claim a total of seven overall victories in their C-Type racers.
This 1952 Jaguar C-Type was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida. It was offered without reserve and estimated to sell between $125,000 - $175,000. The car is a replica, built by David Brown of Invercargill, NZ. It has an aluminum body and tubular chassis constructed from factory drawings which makes this nearly identical to the original. It is powered by a Jaguar 3442cc inline six-cylinder double overhead camshaft engine with dual sand-cast SU carburetors capable of producing about 210 horsepower. It has a C-type intake manifold including an aluminum cold air box and C-type exhaust manifold. There are D-Type Wade 140 cams, lightweight flywheel, and Powermax Hepalite pistons.
Mated to the engine is a Moss four-speed manual gearbox with a C-type top casing. The suspension, brakes, and most other mechanical components were built to C-Type specifications. The tribute to the C-Type continues to the interior, where the pieces are genuine C-Type, which includes switches, aluminum seats, steering wheel and instrumentation.
In nearly every way, this is an exact replica of the real thing. An original C-Type would command a seven digit price tag; this replica sold for $137,500.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
 |  |  | Roadster |
Jaguar developed the XK-120 in the late 1940's. It proved to be fast and affordable, and it immediately began to break existing speed records. From the base XK-120, Jaguar developed the XK-120 C-Type to compete on the European racing circuit. It was produced in a limited quantity, with only 53 examples made from 1951 through 1953 (a production run of at least 50 cars were required to race in events such as LeMans). The first three produced were 'works cars,' and were eventually dismantled by the factory and the parts re-used in other models. Of the remaining 51 cars, 47 are accounted for and many are still participating in vintage racing.
The OTS (Open Two-Seater) displayed here, XKC 007, was the first C-Type to be shipped to the U.S. It arrived in New York City, where it was met by a mechanic who drove it directly to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, to participate in the 1952 Historic Road Race. It was raced by Phil Hill, who had been hired by the importer to campaign this car throughout America to create an interest among potential buyers. That goal was more than met, with Phil winning at Elkhart Lake, Torrey Pines, and numerous other tracks. The current owner purchased this car in 1993. It was reunited with Phil Hill at Pebble Beach to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the C-Type, and recently at Elkhart Lake where the road track was placed on the National Register of Historic Sights.
 |  | Roadster Chassis Num: XKC 030 |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: XKC007 |
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: XKC 017 |
The car passed into the hands of Chuck Davies, who restored it to concours condition. The car won concours competitions in Santa Rosa and Palo Alto in 1962 and 1963 before winning at Pebble Beach in 1964. Sold again in 1969 and returned to the track by its new owner, running at Laguna Seca in 1970. At that point, the 19-year old race car was placed in storage and did not move until purchased by its current owner in 1987. Restored and rebuilt by the new owner, XKC 017 has been raced almost continuously in various vintage events.
The Jaguar C-Type was produced from 1951 to 1953 with an estimated 54 being produced. After a team of Jaguar XK 120C, the 'C' representing 'competition', vehicles had an excellent showing at LeMans, William Lyons commissioned a car to be built that could contend for the overall victory. Malcom Sayer designed the aerodynamic body and Bob Knight was responsible for the lightweight, multi-tubular, and triangulated frame. The body panels were constructed of aluminum. The mechanical components borrow heavily from the Jaguar XK120. Under the bonnet was a modified twin-cam, straight six engine. Horsepower had been increased from 160 to 205. All non-essential items were removed in an effort to reduce the overall weight. Nearly a thousand pounds was shed.
Later versions of the C-Type received extra modifications including disc brakes, reduced weight, and engine improvements. The engine was fitted with twin-choke Weber carburetors and high-lift camshafts.
The Jaguar C-Type made its LeMans debut in 1951. When the checkered flag dropped, it was a C-Type driven by Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead in first place. This is an astonishing accomplishment and a true testament to the capability of the car and drivers. The legendary Stirling Moss was also driving a C-Type but unfortunately was forced to retire prematurely due to mechanical difficulties.
In 1953 a modified C-Type repeated its accomplishment by winning again at LeMans. It was driven by Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
Later versions of the C-Type received extra modifications including disc brakes, reduced weight, and engine improvements. The engine was fitted with twin-choke Weber carburetors and high-lift camshafts.
The Jaguar C-Type made its LeMans debut in 1951. When the checkered flag dropped, it was a C-Type driven by Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead in first place. This is an astonishing accomplishment and a true testament to the capability of the car and drivers. The legendary Stirling Moss was also driving a C-Type but unfortunately was forced to retire prematurely due to mechanical difficulties.
In 1953 a modified C-Type repeated its accomplishment by winning again at LeMans. It was driven by Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
| Auctions America Readies for Highly Anticipated Spring Carlisle Collector Car Weekend | |
 | • Auctions America returns to Carlisle, Pennsylvania for its annual Spring Carlisle sale, April 25-26 • Two-day sale lifts the gavel on a diverse roster of approximately 300 quality collector cars • Notable highlights include a rare 1959 Chevrolet Corvette 'Big-Brake' Fuel-Injected Roadster, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS5 Convertible and a 1999 Bentley Azure Convertible • Sale held during Carlisle Events' highly anticipated Spring Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meet & Corral weekend, April 24...[Read more...] |
| VICARI AUCTION COMPANY OFFERS RARE '62 & '63 Z06 CORVETTES AT 2013 CRUISIN' NOCONA | |
 | In a recent rare find, two classic Chevrolet Corvettes (one '62 and one '63) - stored for decades-are being made available by the Vicari Auction Company. Both vehicles will cross the block during 2013 Cruisin' Nocona, a north Texas collector car auction and classic car poker cruise set for April 19th and 20th in historic Nocona, Texas. The Corvettes are virtually all-original, and have been stored in Texas by a classic-vehicle aficionado and collector since the 1980s. 'These...[Read more...] |
| Firestone Returns As Presenting Sponsor of RRDC Evening With Brian Redman in Long Beach | |
 | The Firestone brand will return as presenting sponsor of the Road Racing Drivers Club's fifth annual West Coast banquet honoring auto racing's most influential leaders. This year, on Thursday, April 18, prior to the running of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the 'RRDC Evening with Brian Redman presented by Firestone' will highlight the career of one of the sport's most popular, talented and successful race-car drivers. This is the Firestone brand's fourth straight year as a supporter of the...[Read more...] |
| Third Annual Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival to Feature Moments in Time | |
 | The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, the third annual event under that title, returns to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., June 2-3, 2012, featuring 'Moments in Time: a Celebration of the History of Motorsports.' The program for the 26th annual historic-car event organized by General Racing Ltd. in Sonoma will focus on highlights of the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s - the eras in which auto racing began to cement its international status as a world-class spectator sport. In addition, 400 his...[Read more...] |
| 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix: British All the Way | |
 | After years of frustration, and well past his life-expectancy, Mike Hawthorn would be on the verge of his first World Championship. This was more than likely Hawthorn's last and best hope at a World Championship title. Just one last race, and a fellow Brit, would separate Hawthorn from his World Championship. Emotionally, Hawthorn was done. The last few seasons had seen Hawthorn fail to experience anywhere near the level of success he had even in his rookie year of 1952. In 1952, with an unde...[Read more...] |
 1952
Jaguar
models |
| Jaguar Mark VII |
| Jaguar XK 120 |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Audi | BMW |
| Honda | Infiniti |
| Land Rover | Lexus |
| Mercedes-Benz | Nissan |
| Saab | Subaru |
| Toyota | Volkswagen |
| Volvo | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1952 |
| Alfa Romeo 1900C |
| Aston Martin DB2 |
| Borgward Hansa 1800 |
| Nash Healey LeMans |
| Porsche 356 |
| Porsche 356 American Roadster |
| Porsche 356 American Roadster |
| Siata 1400 |
| Jaguar: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Jaguar History |
| Other models by Jaguar |
| Manufacturer Website |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.5 Litre C-Type D-Type E-Series | Mark Mark IV Mark IX Mark V | Mark VII Mark X S-Type SS 100 | SS II X-Type XF XJ | XJ-S XJ220 XJR Group 44, IMSA, and Group C XK | XK Series XKSS |
| 1951 Type C | 1953 C-Type |
