1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type Roadster

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