Shortnose and Longnose bodywork derivatives will be created according to client preference.
Every part and body panel will be hand-built to authentic specifications.
JAGUAR RESTARTS PRODUCTION OF LEGENDARY D-TYPE RACE CAR; images: jaguar land rover
Limited edition classic cars revival is a lucrative business for Jaguar. The company restarts the production of its legendary D-Type race car. The first D-Type created by Jaguar Classic is unveiled at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris this week.
The D-type, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours race three times between 1955 and 1957, is resurected by Jaguar in Coventry, 62 years after the last example was built in 1956. Just 25 new examples of the D-type will be meticulously hand-built at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Warwickshire.
The D-type is the third continuation vehicle from Jaguar Classic, complementing the six missing Lightweight E-types completed in 2014
-15 and nine XKSSs built in 2017-18.
In 1955 Jaguar planned to build 100 D-types. With only 75 completed, Jaguar Classic is now fulfilling the company’s original ambition by creating 25 all-new, period-correct sports cars. The D-type was powered by the six-cylinder XK engine. Every aspect of the D-types built for clients from 2018 will be created to authentic, original specification.
“Recreating the nine D-type-derived XKSSs was hugely satisfying, and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-types, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the final 25 D-types. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended.” explained KeV Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager.
“The Jaguar D-type is one of the most iconic and beautiful competition cars of all time, with an outstanding record in the world’s toughest motor races. And it’s just as spectacular today. The opportunity to continue the D-type’s success story, by completing its planned production run in Coventry, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects that our world-class experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic are proud to fulfil.” said Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director.
The engineering prototype is the 1956 Longnose specification, identifiable by its extended bonnet, characteristic tail fin behind the driver’s head, wide-angle cylinder head and quick-change brake calipers.
