1953 Jaguar C-Type Le Mans Recreation

The fabled Jaguar XK120C or “C-Type” is considered to be one of the most sought after and legendary racing cars of all time, forever associated with names like Stirling Moss and Peter Whitehead..

Evolved from the world’s fastest production car at the time, the Jaguar XK120, the C-Type in keeping with the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” marketing strategy, was created specifically to win the 24 hours of Le Mans - which it did so masterfully in 1951 and again in 1953.

What allowed the C-Type to outpace manufacturers like Ferrari, Aston-Martin and Talbot was its unrivalled blend of revolutionary light weight tubular steel chassis engineered by Bob Knight, curvaceous aluminium alloy body designed by aerodynamicist Malcom Sayer and a 210hp Inline-Six engine capable of devouring 0-100km/h in an all 5 senses hammering 8 seconds.

Number 5 of just 7 cars hand built in aluminium to exacting standards by artisans and classic Jaguar specialists Concours Sportscar Restorations, Sydney with its engine refined by master technician Graeme Lord, available here is perhaps the finest and most historically accurate Australian made recreation of the 1953 Le Mans winning C-Type.

Breathtakingly well built in 2008 and covering a mere 6,400 miles, this C-Type is as close as one can get to experiencing the electrifying drive of the now 10 million-dollars-plus original. Finished in the correct shade of BRG this car looks, feels and drives exactly as Jaguar intended.

Painstakingly correct, right down to the Lucas Junction boxes, cotton braided wiring loom cover, Triple Webber 40 DCOE carburettors, Dunlop disc brakes, Smiths instrumentation, 4 Speed close ratio Moss Box and handmade aluminium rimmed 16 inch wire wheels this C-Type is something incredibly special.

Power is derived from a massaged, balanced and blueprinted period correct 3.4 litre engine with C-Type cam shafts producing a thumping 205 horsepower.

Inside the cockpit the Connolly leather covered bucket seats sit nice and low, the handmade pedals feel as though they’re cut from one piece and the entire arrangement is intrinsically driver-centric, as the factory imagined.

Most importantly, the drive is on point and phenomenally engaging. Over the last 3 to 4 years this C-Type has received Jaguar specialist maintenance ensuring it runs at its optimal performance including engine, brake and suspension works and much more.

With mountains of torque combined with its agile handling, attacking corners and firing the throttle early to generate a glorious old fashioned power-slide, hanging on to the wheel of this C-Type is the best thing since sliced bread.

Offering a rare opportunity to own and drive a significant slice of Jaguar’s racing history, this C-Type is your one way ticket to feeling like Stirling Moss as you thread mountain weekend roads, or even pop down to the local coffee shop and with spring just around the corner, what could be better?