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After the sweet success of Jaguar's hurried XK120, they developed the XK120C, or C-Type, as a endurance racing version. With it, Jaguar embarked on their first racing program aimed at winning the 24 Hours of LeMans outright. On its first attempt and only six weeks after completion, Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won Le Mans in 1951. Jaguar repeated the feat in 1953 with Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt at the wheel.

Motivation for the C-Type came after positive race results from the XK120 which, at the time, was the fastest production car in the world, able of reaching speeds over 120 mph. Three XK120s raced at LeMans in 1950 and proved the car was competitive enough to achieve twelfth place overall. The following year, Jaguar's more purposeful C-Type would dominate.

At the 1951 LeMans race, three C-Types made their debut and faced stiff factory-backed competition from Talbot, Aston Martin and Ferrari. During the race, two entries retired including the team of Stirling Moss and Jack Fairman who set a record average pace of 105.2 mph. With the only remaining C-Type, Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead took the overall victory, providing Jaguar with much publicity and acclaim.

The difference between Jaguar's 1950 and 1951 models provided quite a bit of contrast. While both the XK120 and C-Type shared the same general power train, the C-Type supported its upgraded engine with a very different chassis and body.

The C-Type replaced the XK120's steel ladder-type frame with a new tubular design engineered by Bob Knight from 16-gauge tubing with drilled channel-section members and triangulated support. Covering this new chassis was a curvaceous aluminum body designed by aerodynamicist Malcom Sayer. He left a minimum of clearances to give a small frontal area. The body could also be opened up as both the front and rear sections were one-piece.

Shortly after their Lemans victory, Jaguar made plans and to sell the C-Type as a production racecar. In total, 53 C-Types were made which resemble the works racers of 1951. These enabled privateers to buy the car for £1,500 plus purchase tax.

After winning its initial race in 1951, the C-Type, and subsequent D-Type, dominated future LeMans events. In total, five outright victories were achieved during the decade.

Important Sales & Chassis

XKC003 - Built as one of the three original works cars, 003 chassis would be the most desirable and valuable C-type if the factory didn't scrap it not long afterwards. It was raced to Jaguar's first victory at Lemans in 1951 by Walker and Peter Whitehead.

XKC006 was puchased new by Ecurie Ecosse team owner, David Murray. He raced the car throughout 1952 and 1953 painted Flag Metallic Blue to match the other Ecurie cars. The car was completely restored in 1974 by Lynx Engineering’s owner, Chris Keith-Lucas. At this point the drums brakes were given the 1952 upgrade to discs and a more potent d-type cylinder head was fitted. 006 was sold at Christies' 2006 Retromobile Auction for $1,649,638 USD.

XKC051 - Built as a factory lightweight car with disc brakes, XKC won the 1953 LeMans as driven by Rolt/Hamilton. It was sold the following year to Ecurie Ecosse and then painted the team colours.

Story by Richard Owen

Chassis & Sales

1952 Jaguar C-Type XKC-007 - sold for $2,530,000 The C-Type Jaguar presented here, chassis number XKC-007, was delivered to New York on August 1, 1952 and then on to its first owner, Charles Hornburg, Jaguar’s West Coast dealer based in Beverly Hills. Hornburg had convinced William Lyons that competing in America would increase sales and XKC-007 was the very first C-Type to arrive in the US. The car was driven straight to Elkhart Lake for the last ever street race on the 6.5 mile Wisconsin c... more
Gallery: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey

1952 Jaguar C-Type XKC-015 - did not sell for €2,000,425 Original matching-numbers competition C-Type. Ex-Masten Gregory, victory at Golden Gate Nationals, San Francisco. Victory and Course Record in Mount Washington, New Hampshire Hill Climb. Unbroken chain of ownership and delightful patina. Eligible for the most prestigious events. The gloriously authentic C-Type Jaguar presented here, chassis number XKC-015, has an exemplary history and comes with a comprehensive history file which includes d... more
Gallery: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions

1953 Jaguar C-Type XKC-050 - sold for $3,725,000 The Last Production C-Type. Matching-Numbers Example. Two-Time Irish Tourist Trophy Participant. Podium Finishes at Several Period Irish Events. Single Ownership for Nearly 30 Years. Restoration and Race Preparation by Premier Specialists. A Successful and Well-Campaigned Historic Race Car.
Gallery: 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

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