The Jaguar D-Type the auto racing victor that laid out the future prototypes and layouts of the future and yet to be Jaguar motorcar legends themselves.

Jaguar’s distinguished racing history began with an XK120’s appearance at the Le Mans in 1950. The first “specialized” real racing Jaguars were the streamlined 150 miles per hour C-types , used between 1951 and 1953, which have the great distinction and privilege of winning the 24 hour race outright not once but an for an absolutely incredible second time running. What endurance and stamina indeed.

As a solid replacement for these racing legends , the C-Type Jaguars, and as well provide a retail private car product from the factory itself , Jaguar designed and introduced the new variety model – designated the “D-Type”.

Quickly out the design studios and factory garage doors, the new car appeared in 1954. In early races it just narrowly failed to win at Le Mans on its “maiden appearance”. Yet the car had guts, stamina and drive. It went on to win fully the grueling Rheims 12 hour race only a few weeks later.

Shaped as was the C-Type by renowned aerodynamic expert and aerodynamicist Mr. Malcom Sayer, the car was no doubt a very trim and efficient wind-cheater it and could reach a staggering 180 miles per hour mph rating in wrap around windscreen trim setup.

Many components – including the basic power plant, front suspension and axle – were all in all production based themselves, making the D-Type perhaps the least exotic of all racing two seaters. That perhaps was the claim of bravado by detractors and in theory perhaps held water.

Not content with winning races themselves, the factory laid down a short production line. Between the years of 1955 & 1957 a total of 45 production cars were sold.
“Works” specials totaled 17 units. Although the car was designed specifically to win at Le Mans races (which it did handily and with ease and flair in the auto racing years 1955, 1956 and then again for the third year running in 1957).

In addition to the Le Mans races Jaguar D-Types won races throughout the globe including the ultra demanding Sebring 12-hour event in Florida. D-Types could be, and were, used on the open road being docile yet surprisingly economical.

Lastly at the end of the run for the “D”, for 1957, inspired by a private conversion, the factory made a few road-equipped cars with proper screen and hood called the XK-SS. Only 16 were sold before a disastrous fire destroyed assembly fixtures and caused policy changes.

The Jaguar “E-Type” none the less, was a direct descendant from the philosophy of the XK-SS. Later on, in the next decade when Jaguar launched the XJ6 in 1968 this all came together in one design setting new standards for quietness, ride comfort, road holding and handling. One might have thought that were intrinsically diametric qualities in luxury car set.

Yet these all were laid down years before in the time testing Jaguars “C” and “D” types themselves in perpetuity. In one stroke of a pen Jaguar\’s boss Sir William Lyons, had rewritten the luxury-car rulebook with radical new – yet time and auto race tested concepts. Bravo !

Author Bio: Bernie I Cobbles
Auto Dealers in Surrey BC
http://autodealersinsurrey.com/
Situated 35 minutes southeast of Vancouver and directly north of the US border,
Surrey (population: 470,000) British Columbia Canada
Trucks for Sale Surrey BC

Category: Automotive
Keywords: Jaguar D Type,Jaguar C Types,auto traders,vintage auto traders ,jaguar auto blogs