conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type Roadster

  • Designed by Malcolm Sayer
  • Chassis Number: XKD 515
  • Engine Number: E 2023-9
  • Gearbox Number: GBD 55
  • Registration Number: RRU 1
Unveiled in 1954, the legendary D-Type replaced the C-Type as Jaguar's factory racer. The slinky D-Type was lower, wider, and more aerodynamic and faster thanks to a ten percent weight reduction and modifications that coaxed 250 horsepower from the twin-cam XK six-cylinder engine. The monocoque construction involved a complex multi-tube front end with separate unitized center and tail sections. The D-Type did what it was designed to do - WIN - proving its mettle by taking the checkered flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans three years running 1955-57.

This 1955 Jaguar D-Type is chassis number 15 of 42 cars built. Jaguar designed the D-Type to race and win the 24 hours of LeMans, which it did an unprecedented three years in a row - 1955, 1956, and 1957. This chassis has an unusual history, having seen very little track time, which left the car in its original factory-built condition throughout the years, a rarity among D-Types. The car was delivered new to Colonel R. J. Ronnie Hoare who used it sparingly. It has had few owners and has been well-maintained. The car was uncovered from barn storage in 1989 with only 14,000 miles, and given a sympathetic restoration. Presented here in its gloriously unspoiled condition is one of the finest examples of a Jaguar 'Shortnose' D-Type.

The Jaguar D-Type is legendary among sports racers of the 1950s. These beautiful aerodynamic roadsters won the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1955, 1956, and 1957. This example, chassis #XD-515, is completely intact having seen little racing action over the years. It was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2006.

Jaguar was founded in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company by Sir William Lyons. In 1935 Jaguar began building SS sedan cars but after WWII, the 'SS' had such a negative connotation that it was dropped. Today, the iconic British brand has a long and storied heritage of road racing victories on both sides of the Atlantic.

After WWII the company soon found fame with stylish sports cars, starting with the XK-120 roadster in 1949, followed immediately by the competition version designated the C-Type. While both were powered by Jaguar's legendary twin-cam straight-six engine, the C-Type was given a higher state of tune. The C-Type featured an aluminum body and a more aerodynamic body shape. The D-Type was the successor to the C-Type which had won LeMans overall for 1951 and 1953 and as such they continued their dominance, winning LeMans overall for 1955, 1956 and 1957.

The D-Type differed by having a stressed skin aluminum monocoque central section with welded front and rear tubular subframe sections for lightweight. The D-Type is most recognized for the rear fin that adds stability, and the cars uses a 3.4-liter dual overhead cam straight six-cylinder dry sump engine producing approximately 250 horsepower coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2013

2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive

Lot was not sold

1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Jaguar XK-D D-Type

(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD 518
Sold for USD$6,000,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona
 
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD 501
Sold for USD$21,780,000
  2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD 530
Sold for USD$3,675,000
  2015 RM Sotheby's : Amelia Island
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD 520
Sold for USD$4,996,248
  2014 RM Auctions - Paris
 
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD 530
Sold for USD$3,905,000
  2013 RM Auctions - Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  
1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis#: XKD558
Sold for USD$2,090,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Sports & Classics of Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type image  

Jaguar XK-D D-Types That Failed To Sell At Auction

1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1955 Jaguar D-TypeXKD 5462023 RM Sothebys : Monterey $4,500,000$5,500,000
1955 Jaguar D-TypeXKD 5152022 Broad Arrow Auctions : The Passion for the Drive   
1955 Jaguar D-TypeXKD 5302021 RM Sothebys : Monterey $5,500,000$7,000,000
1955 Jaguar D-TypeXKD 5202020 RM Sothebys : Paris $5,900,000$6,400,000
1955 Jaguar D-TypeXKD 5042013 RM Auction London$4,000,000  
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-TypeXKD 5442009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction$2,250,000  
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-TypeXKD 5132008 Gooding & Company   
1955 Jaguar D-Type Replica 2003 Houston Classic$70,000  

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $7,074,375 range.
1966 Ford GT40 MkI Road Car
Sold for $6,930,000
2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta by Scaglietti
Sold for $7,126,465
2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Cabriolet Series I by Pinin Farina
Chassis#:0963 GT
Sold for $6,825,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi
Chassis#:90117
Sold for $7,265,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
Chassis#:198.043.5500332
Sold for $6,825,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
1955 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione by Pinin Farina
Chassis#:0385 GT
Sold for $7,007,348
2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection
1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster
Chassis#:55220
Sold for $7,100,000
2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
2017 Pagani Zonda Aether
Chassis#:ZA9C820C110F76131
Sold for $6,812,500
2019 RM Sothebys : Abu Dhabi
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Series I Cabriolet
Chassis#:0789 GT
Sold for $6,800,000
2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1914 PEUGEOT L45 GRAND PRIX TWO SEATER
Chassis#:1
Sold for $7,260,000
2017 Bonhams : The Bothwell Collection
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1959 Aston Martin DB4GT Prototype
Chassis#:DP199/1
Sold for $6,765,000
2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1963 JAGUAR E-TYPE LIGHTWEIGHT COMPETITION
Chassis#:S850667
Sold for $7,370,000
2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1958 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Competizione 'Tour de France' by Scaglietti
Chassis#:0897 GT
Sold for $7,330,400
2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction
1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta by Touring
Chassis#:0158 ED
Sold for $7,311,360
2015 RM Sotheby's : Villa Erba
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype
Chassis#:GT/108
Sold for $6,930,000
2014 RM Auctions at Monterey
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1958 FERRARI 250 GT SERIES 1 CABRIOLET
Chassis#:0759 GT
Sold for $6,820,000
2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1962 FERRARI 250 GT SHORT-WHEELBASE SPECIALE AERODINAMICA
Chassis#:3615
Sold for $6,875,000
2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1953 FERRARI 250 MILLE MIGLIA BERLINETTA
Chassis#:0312 MM
Sold for $7,260,000
2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type vehicle thumbnail image  
1964 FORD GT40 PROTOTYPE
Sold for $7,000,000
2014 Mecum - Houston
1938 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Teardrop Cabriolet by Figoni et Falaschi
Chassis#:90111
Sold for $7,150,000
2013 RM Auction - Art of the Automobile

1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Jaguar XK-D D-Type model years

1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type Vehicle Profiles