Jaguar C-Type Continuation pays homage to classic Le Mans winner
Sold from the year 1951 until 1953, the Jaguar C-type was designed as a racing sports car that featured a lightweight structure as well as an aerodynamic aluminium body.
In the racing fold, the C-type models were very successful and claimed the title twice at the Le Mans 24 hours race in 1953. As a manner of celebrating the vehicle's achievements, the brand's Classic Works facility in Coventry has built two exclusive C-type Continuations that bear the '70-Edition' nameplate.
Special attention to detail was considered during the stages of the C-type Continuation 70-Edition, thanks to hand-crafted silver enamelled badging, well-chosen colour, and trim, plus painted roundels with racing number 70 imprints.
The interior of the first model gets a one-off Verbier Silver shade with Cranberry red leather finishing and according to Jaguar, the colour combination is inspired by the C-type's Platinum Anniversary and will never be repeated.
Regarding the second 70 Edition, this model pays homage to the 1953 XKC051 vehicle that belonged to Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt. It wears the Works Team hues of British Racing Green with Suede green leather. As for the 70 Editon insignia, it was created by Jaguar designer Malcolm Sayer, whose work can be traced back to the shape of the iconic D-type and E-type models.
Buyers of the Jaguar C-type 70 Edition will get a bespoke key housing and dashboard plaque crafted from a 1953 C-type fuel tank by Deakin & Francis.
"Each C-type Continuation is a rare and special vehicle to grace any collection, but we are delighted to reveal these two exquisite editions to commemorate a landmark year for Jaguar and motorsport. In 1953, the introduction of the disc brake combined with the C-type's clever design and engineering, meant that the vehicle was dominant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans", says Matthew Bailey, senior manager for Strategy and Business Development at Jaguar Land Rover Classic.
It takes over 3,000 hours for the team at Jaguar Classics to handcraft the C-type continuation models and all will be manufactured according to the specification of the 1953 Works C-types.
Powering both C-type 70 Edition Continuation models is a 3.4-litre inline-six engine that features refurbished triple Weber carburettors and pumps out 164 kW of power. To ensure that the C-type Edition 70 models are as close as they can be to the original models, the duo retains the brackets on the brake fluid reservoir.
The models are FIA-approved, meaning they can take part in assorted FIA Historic events such as the Jaguar Classic Challenge.