Jaguar’s very aerodynamic tall-finned D-Type racing cars won the 24-Hours of Le Mans endurance races in 1955, 1956 & 1957; the D-Type was a purpose-built race car that had evolved from the less-sculpted C-Types that won Le Mans in both 1951 & 1953!
Jaguar lost some podium finishes to
Aston Martin and
Ferrari between 1958 and 1961, so it was time to roll out the successor to the D-Type... the sensational E-Type! Jaguar’s Browns Lane facility built a dozen alloy-bodied racers, some like this fixed-head coupe, and some with a detachable hardtop like the white Cunningham lightweight racer.
Only eight lightweights raced at Le Mans in the 1960s, and only three raced In the 1962 24-hour endurance event. This semi-lightweight fixed-head coupe was driven by privateers Maurice Charles and John Coundley as car #8; the car was fitted with every racing component, but it experienced low oil pressure and did not finish the race.
This car was sold late in 1962, and disappeared until it was found in a field In the Channel Islands in the mid-1990s; renowned
Jaguar expert Nigel Dawes completed the extensive restoration in 1999.
Engine
6-cylinder, in-line, dohc
3.43” bore, 4.17” stroke
230.6 cubic Inch
265 bhp. @ 5400 rpm.
P
rice when new: NIA
BodylCoachbullder
Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Coventry, England
Manufacturer
Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Coventry1 England
March 1, 2010, 6:06 am
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