• Year of manufacture 
    1951
  • Lot number 
    283
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

1951 Jaguar C-Type Re-creation
Registration no. PPW 67

"The C-type was the car which brought Jaguar international recognition. Yet this beautiful car was the first ever competition model from a company which was almost entirely new to international motor racing. Its originators had never previously designed a race car, nor had the C-type even turned a wheel in anger before it competed at Le mans. And it had been built in an extraordinarily short time." – Paul Skilleter, Jaguar The Sporting Heritage.

The XK120C's quite astonishing debut victory in the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour Race and its follow-up win in '53 established Jaguar's first purpose-built racing sports car as one of the all-time great competition automobiles. Jaguar built only 54 C-Types, a total that includes both works and production cars, and it is worth noting that the first three Formula 1 World Champions - Guiseppe Farina, Alberto Ascari, and Juan-Manuel Fangio - all bought them as road cars. It is not hard to understand why: at the time of its introduction the C-Type represented the state-of-the-art in racing car engineering and thus was one of the most advanced road vehicles in the world.

In July 1951, The Autocar fully described the XK120C with detailed drawings and specifications. By this time, the C-type had already achieved its first victory at Le Mans with a team comprising the first three cars made. Jaguar then put the C-Type into limited production. The specification of these production cars differed from the original three works cars only in minor details: e.g. different bonnet louvres, chassis channels not drilled, and 2" SU H8 carburettors instead of the Le Mans cars' 1¾". Because these cars were largely sold to already well known competitors, their specifications differed from car to car depending on customer preference, while towards the end of production the A-bracket on the rear axle was changed to a single trailing arm.

Those multiple Le Mans wins in the 1950s, as well as numerous victories in the other great classic endurance events, coupled with superlative driving qualities that made it so attractive to three of the greatest drivers in history, have ensured a continuing healthy demand for replicas of Jaguar's rare and exotic sports-racer.

This particular example was hand-built some years ago to exacting standards using the original Jaguar Browns Lane chassis blueprints as supplied by the then Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, Browns Lane. Having also acquired the blueprints from the previous owner of the car, the vendor informs us that the chassis, engine, gearbox, and differential are all correct. Testifying to the accuracy of the build, this C-Type comes with a full FIA HTP that runs until 2025, making it eligible to participate in just about any historic race meeting or other event.

The current father and son owners have raced the C-Type for the last three seasons across Europe, competing at the world's best race circuits, including Silverstone, Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Thruxton, Spa, Le Mans, and Portimao. They have competed in three seasons of the Motor Racing Legends RAC Woodcote Trophy, and in 2017 'PPW 67' won the Class Championship, notching up numerous wins and podium finishes. This C-Type has also competed in three Jaguar Challenge races at Le Mans.

The car has never been damaged and has a delightful patina resulting from its successful racing career. It has just been fitted with a completely rebuilt MSA-sealed Peter Landa Sigma 3.4-litre race engine, only being driven for 30 minutes on public roads since, plus a rebuilt Moss gearbox, rebuilt differential, and new brakes and tyres, making it completely race-ready for any competition. 'PPW 67' is also fitted with the correct sand-cast twin SU carburettors and has a full set of correct aluminium-alloy wheels shod with fresh tyres.

The car is offered with a current MoT, and is sold complete with the cherished registration number 'PPW 67'. Also included in the sale are two re-trimmed correct brown leather driver's and passenger's seats; four spare wheels shod with new correct tyres; detachable roll bar; some new brake shoes; and some other parts. This is a proven very quick and competitive C-Type that is easily capable of winning again in the right hands.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401