1955 Jaguar XK-D D-Type Roadster

This Jaguar D-Type is chassis number XKD 513 and powered by a 3.8-liter engine. The first owner, a Mr. Henri Peignaux of Lyon, purchased this car through C.H. Delecroix. Mr. Peignaux was the owner of one of the French racing team Equipe Los Amigos.

Jaguar was a highly motivated company that wanted the ultimate success with their D-Type - to be victorious at Le Mans. They provided factory support to privateers. With the case of XKD 513, it was prepared by Jaguar Works and then put through extensive testing at MIRA by Norman Dewis. It was painted in French Racing Blue and given racing number 17. It was entrusted to Jean Lucas and Jean-Marie Brousselet to perform the driving duties at the 1957 LeMans.

The car averaged 110.16 miles per hour during the 24 Hour race and finished in 3rd place. Other D-Types finished 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th. This puts it in the elite class of just ten D-Types to ever place at Le Mans, a very heroic accomplishment considering there were 87 examples constructed.

After the 1957 Le Mans, the car returned to the factory in preparation for the 1958 event. It was given an experimental three-liter engine, number EE1208-10, in order to comply with the new ACD regulations. This car, along with 4 other D-Types, were fitted with this three-liter engine from the factory.

At the 1958 Le Mans race, 513 was driven by Brousselet and Andre Guelfi for Peignaux. Three hours into the race, a storm flooded the track and made visibility near impossible. Three hours later, atleast 12 cars had been involved in serious accidents. Hours later, at 10 pm, Brousselet lost control of the D-Type in the rain and was hit by Bruce Kessler's NART Ferrari. Kessler continued for a few more laps before finally retiring. The D-Type, however, was out of the race.

The bonnet and rear tail section of the D-Type were scrapped at LeMans and the car was put into storage, where it would remain for the following two years. It was purchased by Giovanni Michelotti in 1960. He removed the remainder of the damaged body panels leaving just the undamaged D-Type chassis. Using his talents, he created a coupe body that sat atop the original lower panels. Upon completion, this unique creation was shown at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show where it was awarded first place.

The car remained in Michelotti's care until the late 1960s, when ownership transferred to Richard P. Carter, who had it imported into the United States. It would remain with Mr. Carter until 1973, selling to Andrew Gortway. Mr. Gortway shipped the car to England and into the car of Lynx Cars, a Jaguar specialist. The shop was commissioned to perform a complete restoration bringing it back to its original Le Mans configuration.

The Michelloti coupe body was removed, revealing the original D-Type parts. Both the Michelotti coupe body and the XKD 513 were later sold. Laurence Bristow purchased XKD 513 who continued with the restoration. The original mechanical components, and other sourced from XKD 511, were utilized in the re-build. By the close of the 1970s, the restoration of XKD 513 was complete and returned to the United States.

Peter Giddings became the cars next owner and continued its racing career, entering it in many events throughout California. It was later sold to Bob Baker of Nebraska. Baker continued to race the car, entering it in events such as the Monterey Historics, Sears Point and the Mille Miglia Storica. In 1986, the car was sold to Bill Chizar and then to Terry Larson in 1988. Larson raced the car in several events, including the Colorado Grand, the California Mille, the Copperstate 1000, the Monterey Historics, Firebird Lake, and the PIR & Swiss Jaguar Tour. In 1997 and 1998, it participated in the Factory D-Type Cavalcade to LeMans.

This car has been featured in numerous publications, including the April 1986 issue of Road & Track. It has been featured in Collector Car News, Autoweek, and Victory Lane magazine.

It is powered by the 3.8-liter engine, though the 3-liter experimental engine still accompanies the car. It has a great history, is well documented, and wears a professional restoration by England's premier Jaguar restoration firm.

In 2008, this Jaguar D-Type was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California. Sadly, bidding failed to satisfy the reserve and the lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009