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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. And the car did just that, on its first attempt and only six weeks after completion.

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 sexy 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 GBP plus purchase tax.

After winning its initial race in 1951, the C-Type, and subsuquent 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 is the most desirable and valuable C-type as 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. 006 will be up for sale at Christies' 2006 Retromobile Auction with an estimate of 1 200 000 to 1 500 000 Euros.

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 for Supercars.net