1953 Jaguar C-Type Roadster

In 1951, Jaguar launched an assault on LeMans with the XK120C or C-Type. The 'C' was for competition and Jaguar wasn't kidding. It was a pure race car designed with a space-frame chassis made of steel tubing along with an independent rear suspension. The aerodynamic body was designed by Malcolm Sayer and built of aluminum. Jaguar won the 1951 24 Hours of LeMans with a C-Type driven by Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead. When the 1952 LeMans cars retired due to overheating, the C-Type was redesigned slightly for the 1953 race and also made 150 pounds lighter due to the use of lightweight electrical equipment and aircraft-style fuel tanks. C-Types finished first, second, fourth, and ninth at LeMans in 1953.

The legendary C-Type is powered by a 205 horsepower version of Jaguar's venerable XK-Series 3.4-liter inline 6-cylinder engines.

One of just 39 produced, this car has an extensive racing history; its best finish third place in 1953 at Sebring with Sherwood Johnson driving. Amazingly, it finished thirty races before failing to complete its first event while racing against Cobras and Chaparrals. In 1976, a later E-Type engine was installed. That engine was replaced in 1988 when the original engine with which it was born was re-installed.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2013