New Jaguar C-type to celebrate 70 years

Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the famous C-type racer by creating a limited production of new C-type Continuation cars, which will be hand-built in Coventry at Jaguar's world-class Classic Works facility.

Originally produced between 1951-53, the C-type was famed for its exceptional fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. A legend winning the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar's seven outright wins at the French endurance race.

From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss as the Reims Grand Prix in France and contesting the 1000-mile Mille Miglia in Italy.

Jaguar gained another win at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1953, another first for disc brakes. The C-type also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners, which contributed to Jaguar finishing vice-champion in the inaugural World Sportscar Championship.

Dan Pink, Director, Jaguar Classic, said: "Driven by some of the most-admired racing drivers in history, the C-type laid the foundations for Jaguar's success in endurance racing and is synonymous with design and engineering innovation. Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to be able to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology – alongside traditional skills and unrivalled expertise – to reintroduce this legendary car for a new generation of enthusiasts to enjoy."

Of the 53 Jaguar C-types built in the 1950s, 43 were sold to private owners, but the production C-type specification was limited to drum-braked cars with twin SU carburettors and 200bhp, in the style of the 1951 works cars.

Jaguar will build eight new C-type continuation cars ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022. Each example will reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning works team car specification and will include a 3.4-litre straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors for 200bhp and disc brakes.

Jaguar Classic engineers have consulted Jaguar's archive and cross-referenced scan data taken from an original C-type in conjunction with the latest computer-aided design technology to create the most authentic new C-type possible.

Access to original engineering drawings and company records created by the original C-type development team - including Malcolm Sayer, competition manager Lofty England and engineers William Heynes, Bob Knight and Norman Dewis; ensures that the authentic 1953 specifications are maintained to the highest standard.

For the first time, customers will have the opportunity to visualise their C-type Continuation virtually using a specially designed online configurator. This new tool at classicvisualiser.jaguar.com allows users to compare colour and trim options from the 12 authentic exterior colours and eight interior colours available and apply optional roundels, steering wheel badge and bonnet badging.

Other optional features include an FIA approved Harness Retention System and rollover protection. The new C-type Continuation is not just for show; they will be eligible for historic racing, track and close-road use.

Visit www.jaguar.com/classic, where you can find more information on the full range of cars, services, parts and experiences offered by Jaguar Classic.

For more information on the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility, click here.

Have you been a fan of the legendary Jaguar C-type? Or lucky enough to have seen the wins of the C-type? Then please share your story with us.