The Jaguar XJ13 was a prototype racing car developed by Jaguar Engineering director William Haynes to compete at Le Mans in the mid 1960s. It never raced, and only one was produced, as the rules for prototype racing had changed and the car wouldn't be competitive once it was ready to hit the track. In 1971 the Series 3 E-type was about to be launched with Jaguar's first production V12 engine. The publicity team wanted a shot of the XJ13 at speed for the opening sequence of the film launching the V12 E-Type. On 21 January 1971, the XJ13 was taken to MIRA for the filming with Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis at the wheel. Sadly, the car was driven by Dewis at speed on a damaged tyre. The resultant crash heavily damaged and nearly destroyed the car, although Dewis was unharmed. The wreck of the car was put back into storage.

Some years later, Edward Loades spotted the crashed XJ13 in storage at Jaguar and made the offer to 'Lofty' England that his company Abbey Panels should rebuild the car. The car was rebuilt, to a specification similar to the original, using some of the body jigs made for its original construction. The XJ13 made its public debut in July 1973 when 'Lofty' drove it around Silverstone at the British Grand Prix meeting. This car is now displayed at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, UK.

In the early nineties, Proteus recreated a small number of replicas of the original XJ13. There was no expense spared in pursuit of a highly accurate replica of the infamous Jaguar. The Proteus XJ13 is powered by a 6.1 litre V12, Dave Butcher prepared engine with individual throttles and trumpets per cylinder, electronic fuel injection and ignition system and dry sump lubrication with rear oil cooler and alloy oil tank. Transmission is by means of an original ZF 5-speed transaxle gearbox. To keep the car looking and feeling as authentic as possible cast alloy wheels were produced using the original XJ13’s moulds. The body was produced with louvred bonnet, side and boot panels. These coupled with polished aluminium cockpit, period dials, plexi glass windows, Motolite steering wheel and period lighting gave the car a highly accurate finish. This example with chassisnr. 6 has been in a private collection for many years. The owner has spent a fortune on making it better (all documented with invoices). The engine is further prepared by Dubois Racing, and now produces in excess of 450 bhp. It must be said that this is one spectacular machine to drive.

These cars are not often coming on the open market, so this is quite an opportunity to obtain such a beautiful sportscar in great condition. The design is still breathtaking, and the powerful engine offers exactly what you may expect from such an exotic.