Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
The Jaguar C-Type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice for Coventry, earning admiration and respect from the international racing community. Its existence was inspired by Leslie Johnson's competitive outing at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Jaguar XK 120 S, convincing Jaguar's management to approve the development of a new XK-based racing model, initially dubbed the XK 120 C and later known as the C-Type. It used an all-new lightweight tubular space frame and was powered by the 3.4-liter engine modified with a new cylinder head, high-lift camshafts, racing pistons and an un-muffled dual exhaust system. The rear suspension was given additional positioning links courtesy of Jaguar's experimental department. The aerodynamic coachwork was penned by stylist, Malcolm Sayers, with traditional marque cues combined with sensuous curves, resulting in one of the most emotionally arresting racing sports cars of all time. A total of 53 examples of the C-Type (with 'C' representing 'competition') were built, with 43 of those sold to privateers.
Chassis XKC 024
Jaguar completed the assembly of chassis XKC 024 on October 3, 1952, and it left the factory wearing a British Racing Green paint scheme. Jaguar factory test driver Norman Dewis piloted the car on a 90-mile road test through the hills of Lindley, United Kingdom, before it was shipped off to the United States. Jaguar's Experimental Department fine-tuned the XKC before dispatching it on November 24, 1952, for delivery to Jaguar dealer Charles Hornburg of Los Angeles, California.
The car's first private owner was Alex Thompson of Denver, Colorado, and its first recorded race was on April 12, 1953, where Phil Hill drove it to a 2nd overall finish in the Lone Star 200 at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. In another race later in the day, Thompson drove it to a respectable 13th-place finish.
A few months later, the C-Type was sold to Jaguar dealer James Harrison of Colorado Springs, Nevada, who raced the car at the East vs. West Meeting at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California, on November 8, 1953. Wearing race number 122, Harrison placed 48th in the novice race but was unable to contest the main race after he and XKC 024 suffered a serious crash.
It is believed that a new chassis, center body section, and bonnet were used to repair the wrecked vehicle. Once repaired, the car was sold to Bob Downey and Pearce 'Pete' Woods. It raced at Torrey Pines on October 22, 1955, wearing race number 70, where Woods won the six-hour endurance competition. Harold Erb drove it in September 1955, wearing race number 155, at Goleta Airport in Santa Barbara, California.
After the 1955 season, the Jaguar would be owned by several owners before it came into the possession of Jim Kirk of Pacific Palisades, California, sometime in the 1970s. It was later purchased by Peter Agg of Surrey and brought to the United Kingdom in 1980. Its next owner was Robert Reed, an American living in Geneva, Switzerland, who used it in the Mille Miglia Storica in the mid-1980s.
Near the close of 1988, the C-Type was given a full restoration by John Pearson of Forge Garage in conjunction with RS Panels. When the work concluded, the car was sold to Jim Wallis, then to Dalle Carbonare of Italy, who sold the car to the current owner in the mid-1990s. Since that time, it has been used regularly in many C-Type rallies, events, concours displays, and even as a daily driver.
The engine powering this C-Type is not the original unit, but it has been stamped to match the factory-fitted block. The car's original, numbers-matching engine block remains with the vehicle but is not serviceable.By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2022
Chassis XKC 024
Jaguar completed the assembly of chassis XKC 024 on October 3, 1952, and it left the factory wearing a British Racing Green paint scheme. Jaguar factory test driver Norman Dewis piloted the car on a 90-mile road test through the hills of Lindley, United Kingdom, before it was shipped off to the United States. Jaguar's Experimental Department fine-tuned the XKC before dispatching it on November 24, 1952, for delivery to Jaguar dealer Charles Hornburg of Los Angeles, California.
The car's first private owner was Alex Thompson of Denver, Colorado, and its first recorded race was on April 12, 1953, where Phil Hill drove it to a 2nd overall finish in the Lone Star 200 at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. In another race later in the day, Thompson drove it to a respectable 13th-place finish.
A few months later, the C-Type was sold to Jaguar dealer James Harrison of Colorado Springs, Nevada, who raced the car at the East vs. West Meeting at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California, on November 8, 1953. Wearing race number 122, Harrison placed 48th in the novice race but was unable to contest the main race after he and XKC 024 suffered a serious crash.
It is believed that a new chassis, center body section, and bonnet were used to repair the wrecked vehicle. Once repaired, the car was sold to Bob Downey and Pearce 'Pete' Woods. It raced at Torrey Pines on October 22, 1955, wearing race number 70, where Woods won the six-hour endurance competition. Harold Erb drove it in September 1955, wearing race number 155, at Goleta Airport in Santa Barbara, California.
After the 1955 season, the Jaguar would be owned by several owners before it came into the possession of Jim Kirk of Pacific Palisades, California, sometime in the 1970s. It was later purchased by Peter Agg of Surrey and brought to the United Kingdom in 1980. Its next owner was Robert Reed, an American living in Geneva, Switzerland, who used it in the Mille Miglia Storica in the mid-1980s.
Near the close of 1988, the C-Type was given a full restoration by John Pearson of Forge Garage in conjunction with RS Panels. When the work concluded, the car was sold to Jim Wallis, then to Dalle Carbonare of Italy, who sold the car to the current owner in the mid-1990s. Since that time, it has been used regularly in many C-Type rallies, events, concours displays, and even as a daily driver.
The engine powering this C-Type is not the original unit, but it has been stamped to match the factory-fitted block. The car's original, numbers-matching engine block remains with the vehicle but is not serviceable.By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2022
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $3,500,000-USD $4,250,000
Lot was not sold
1952 Jaguar C-Type Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Jaguar C-Type
(Data based on Model Year 1952 sales)
1952 Jaguar C-Type Chassis#: XKC 007 Sold for USD$5,285,000 2017 RM Sotheby's : Icons | |
1952 JAGUAR C-TYPE TWO-SEAT SPORTS RACING ROADSTER Chassis#: XKC 042 Sold for USD$4,869,059 2013 Bonhams : The December Sale | |
1952 Jaguar C-Type Sold for USD$2,530,000 2009 Sports & Classics of Monterey | |
1952 Jaguar C-Type Sold for USD$137,500 2007 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
Jaguar C-Types That Failed To Sell At Auction
1952 Jaguar C-Type's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1952 Jaguar C-Type | XKC 024 | 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $3,500,000 | $4,250,000 | |
1952 Jaguar C-Type | XKC 014 | 2021 RM Sothebys : London | $4,000,000 | $4,500,000 | |
1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Two-Seater | XKC 014 | 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | $6,500,000 | $7,500,000 | |
1952 Jaguar C-Type | XKC-015 | 2010 RM Auctions Automobiles of London | $1,750,000 | $1,900,000 | $2,400,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $3,205,390 range.
1952 Aston Martin DB2 Saloon Chassis#:LML/50/86 Sold for $3,102,795 2024 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
2021 Bugatti Chiron Sport Noire Chassis#:VF9SP3V31MM795322 Sold for $3,360,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1969 Dodge Hemi Daytona Chassis#:xx29j9b383276 Sold for $3,360,000 2024 Mecum : Monterey | |
1932 Delage D8 S Roadster by Pourtout Chassis#:36009 Sold for $3,305,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Chassis#:10583 Sold for $3,080,000 2024 Mecum : Monterey | |
1991 Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer 'Dynamics and Lightweight Study' Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZMS400655 Sold for $3,085,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie Coupé Chassis#:SCF4KRB41PGS70051 Sold for $3,070,625 2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai | |
2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Chassis#:WDD1999761M900066 Sold for $3,211,250 2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai | |
1988 Porsche 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZHS900022 Sold for $3,085,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport 'Sang Bleu' Chassis#:VF9SK2C2XAM795043 Sold for $3,085,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spider Chassis#:16857 Sold for $3,305,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1990 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000084116 Sold for $3,360,000 2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
1961 PORSCHE RS61 Chassis#:718-076 Sold for $3,100,000 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island | |
2007 Maserati MC12 Versione Corsa Chassis#:ZAMDF44B000029631 Sold for $3,302,745 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1952 FERRARI 340 AMERICA BERLINETTA Chassis#:0202 A Sold for $3,085,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1967 FERRARI 275 GTB/4 Chassis#:09909 Sold for $3,277,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1962 FERRARI 400 SUPERAMERICA SERIES I COUPÉ AERODINAMICO Chassis#:3221 SA Sold for $3,167,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1991 FERRARI F40 Chassis#:ZFFMN34A5M0087568 Sold for $3,085,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1990 Ferrari F40 Chassis#:ZFFGJ34B000084116 Sold for $3,305,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1933 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich Chassis#:901360 Sold for $3,305,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey |
1952 Jaguar C-Type
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Jaguar C-Type model years