Estimated Price: £45,000 - £55,000

During the bustling post-war sports car boom, the Jaguar XK120 brought race-bred technology to the masses. With twin-cam engines, powerful brakes, and balanced handling, Jaguar cars quickly became the darling of the club racing scene, but Sir William Lyons set his sights much higher on the greatest prize in motorsport – the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

Winning the world's toughest motor race required an extraordinary car, and Jaguar delivered that in the form of the XK120C – best known as the C-Type. Based loosely on the XK120, the C-Type used a highly tuned version of the production 'XK' twin-cam inline-six set in a lightweight tubular chassis. Initially on drum brakes, those were quickly binned in favour of Dunlop's advanced new four-wheel disc brake system, developed for aircraft and proving to be a game-changer in racing. Jaguar's chief designer and aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer, penned a svelte alloy skin to clothe the car, widely considered one of the prettiest of the era. The C-Type was an immediate success, winning Le Mans on its first attempt in 1951 and punctuating that with a second win in 1953.

With just 53 original examples built, the genuine article is beyond the reach of most enthusiasts, fortunately, Realm Engineering of Honeybourne, Worcestershire, has established an enviable reputation for producing high-quality and accurate C-Type evocations using existing Jaguar mechanicals.

Constructed between 2015 and 2017 using a Jaguar XJ6 Series 3 donor vehicle, this Realm Heritage C-Type employs a tubular steel spaceframe chassis and quality glassfibre bodywork, faithfully capturing the proportions and character of the original while utilising established Jaguar mechanical components. It pays tribute to Jaguar XKC018, the car originally built by Jaguar for five-time Grand Prix World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio and later owned by F1 World Champion Jenson Button.

Finished in a distinctive bronze hue, now commonly referred to as 'Fangio Bronze', XKC018 was purchased new by Fangio in October 1952 through Jaguar’s Belgian distributor. Shipped to Argentina, the car passed through Jaguar’s local representative, Jose Millet, before embarking upon an active South American competition career. Its association with Fangio, and memorable footage of the original being driven around Monaco, add further romance to this evocative tribute.

Beneath the sculpted bonnet lies Jaguar’s celebrated 4.2-litre straight-six, breathing through triple Weber carburettors and coupled to a five-speed Toyota manual gearbox. XJ6 Series 3 running gear contributes to its road-going credentials, while the tubular spaceframe shell and chassis reflects the engineering principles of the original.

Having covered less than 3,000 miles since completion, the car remains in excellent overall condition and is reported to start, run and drive beautifully. The steering wheel has been hand-stitched in matching leather, complemented by a matching gearshift gaiter and practical touches include adjustable pedals and useful sill storage boxes, sufficiently long for an umbrella and deep enough for spares. Built by a highly regarded engineer, the car subsequently passed to his son, with our vendor being its third owner.

Importantly, the car has successfully completed Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing and is correctly registered with the DVLA as a Realm Heritage C-Type. It is offered with its V5C, a comprehensive file of receipts and donor-vehicle history, build records, a Haynes workshop manual and a record of MOT passes. A fresh service will be carried out prior to sale.

Combining respected specialist construction, charismatic Jaguar power and a compelling connection to one of motor racing’s greatest names, this Realm offers an appealing opportunity to enjoy the drama and character of the legendary C-Type in a more accessible form. Your early inspection is welcomed and encouraged to fully appreciate the opportunity on offer.