Jaguar C-Type joins Classic Continuation family

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

The C-type Continuation programme allows historic racing enthusiasts to purchase new factory built examples of the ultimate 1953 disc-braked works C-type direct from Jaguar for the first time.

The C-type which was originally built between 1951 and 1953 was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won 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 at the Reims Grand Prix in France and contesting the 1000-mile Mille Miglia.

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 brake cars with twin SU carburettors and 200hp, in the style of the 1951 works cars.

Eight new C-type continuation cars will be built 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, including 3.4-litre straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DC03 carburettors for 220bhp and disc brakes.

Building on the experience gained with previous Jaguar Classic Continuation programmes for the lightweight E-type, XKSS and D-type, Jaguar Classic engineers have consulted Jaguar’s archives 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.

Exclusive access to original engineering drawings and company records created by the original C-type development team ensure the authentic 1953 specifications are accurately maintained.

Additional options available to C-type Continuation customers include an FIA approved Harness Retention system or rollover protection. Not just for show, these authentic new C-types will be eligible for historic racing, track and closed-road use.