Jaguar D Type – Automobiles Review

Classic Jaguar Models Take Place at the 2015 Mille Miglia Event

Jaguar customers and fans will have the chance to see the 1,000-mile loop in Italy with some of the brand’s iconic models. There will be three C-types, three D-types, one XK120, one Xk140 and MK VII sallon. Held from May 14-17, 2015, the Mille Migia will offer challenges and tests for both vehicles and drivers. The event itself will begin and end in Brecia, but it will go through numerous Italian cities, including Rome.

The C-type models

The first C-type vehicle is already familiar with the Mille Miglia road, as it competed 62 years ago in the original race back in 1953 and it was driven by Mario Tadini and Franco Cortese. This is one of three models, that together form the Jaguar Heritage Trust and will be driven by Jaguar Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer Mike Cross.

The second C-type wears the unique “KSF 182” registration number and it was the same vehicle, that Jimmy Stewart and Sir Jackie Steward were using during 1952 to 1955. Now it will be driven by the five-time winner of the le Mans 24-hour, three-time Daytona 24-hour winner and veteran Derek Bell. In fact, Bell is a guest of art collector and classic car enthusiast Adam Lindemann.

The last C-type is really a special one. It comes with registration number “PUG 676” and it took place in races in the post-World-War II era and now it will be driven by its owner, Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee Chairman, Ben Cussons.

The D-type models

When we talk about Jaguar, the participation will not be complete without the one and only D-type. This year’s Mille Miglia will meet the “NVC 260”, that competed in not just one Mille Miglias competition back in the ’80s. But the car also took place in races back in 1956 and 1957 and now it will be driven by its owner, one of the world’s most respected experts, when it comes to classic cars, Simon Kidston.

Other D-type models, that will take place in the event are the “RSF 303” and the “393 RW”, that took place in numerous races in the ’50s. The Ecurie Ecosse D-type “RSF 303” was especially created for the 1957 le Mans race, but took part in Mille Miglia events in the same year and the next one. Now, it will be driven by Jaguar Design Director, Ian Callum.

The other model, the “393 RW” made 1956 a really special year for Jaguar by winning the 12-hour of Reims and finished in the sixth place and even setting the fastest lap at le Mans in the same year. This well-known machine and veteran will be driven by host of the hugely popular BBC One show, Saturday Kitchen and well-known chef, James Martin.

And there is good news for customers. They will be given the chance to drive C-type, D-type or E-type especially at Jaguar’s test facility at Fen end in West Midlands. Fans can choose between one-hour test drives, a half-day Le Mans race-themed special event or a full-day “Grace and Pace” programme.

The XK120 and XK140 models

Despite the fact Jaguar brand doesn’t offer test drive for the MK VII saloon, customers will still be given chance to see for themselves why this is one of the most remarkable cars of one entire era via jaguar’s social media platform. The legendary vehicle will be driven by adventurer Charley Boorman.

And with a bit of additional glamour, the 2015 Mille Miglia challenge will include also the TV presenter and current host of Channel 5’s The Classic Car Show Jodie Kidd, who will drive the stunning “Betsey”: the Jaguar “OOF 748”, just as he did in the 2014 trial. But this time she will be partnering with the classic car enthusiast David Gandy.

There is one more car, that will take part in 2015 Mille Miglia. This is the Jaguar XK140, which came in 1954 as a heir to the XK120. The car was owned by the successful British racer David Hobbs and back in 2006 it was completely restored by Trevor Groom and now, in 2015 it will be driven by Elliot Gleave.

Source: Jaguar

May 14, 2015

Jaguar D-Type Leads the Parade at 2014 Goodwood Revival

Jaguar’s presence at the 2014 Goodwood Revival will feature one of company’s most amazing models including the Lightweight E-type which is making its European debut there, the F-TYPE Project 7 and more importantly the 60th anniversary of the legendary Jaguar D-type. The last car will be featured in the Lavant Cup race, which will be dedicated to the D-type with more than 20 examples of this legendary competition model. What is more, the ex-Jaguar Le Mans winner Andy Wallace will be competing in a 1955 ‘long-nose’ D-type.

Parade of D-types will take place around the Goodwood circuit on Revival Friday and Sunday. In fact, this event makes a record number of examples of the racing Jaguar gathered in one place. Furthermore, the Lightweight E-type continuation model will make its European debut at the Goodwood Revival

The next car to be seen at the event is the F-TYPE Project 7 designed and constructed by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. The vehicle will be exhibited within the popular Earls Court Motor Show at the Revival. Another car that will be on display there is the Jaguar F-TYPE R Coupe.

Over the Revival weekend, there will be another 25 plus Jaguars and Jaguar-powered cars, which will be competing at the Goodwood motor circuit. For instance, there will be seen models sucha s C-types and E-types, plus Mark I and Mark VII saloons and more. In addition, various historic Jaguar models will be present at Goodwood too, like examples of almost every classic Jaguar model.

Source: Jaguar

September 2, 2014

Some of the most wanted and expensive collectible cars from the past

Have you ever wondered which are some of the most desirable cars from the past? “Which models collectors are crazy for?” is the question asked here. And there goes the answer, including five of the most wanted and expensive cars made in the past.

The first car to be mentioned here is the 1931 Bentley 4 1/2-Liter model. This particular vehicle has only 49 similar to it, which means that there were only 50 ever produced. Hence, the immediate consequence is that the price of the model is very high. For example, sever years ago, such vehicle was sold for the amount of $ 4 510 000. In details, the car includes 2/3-passanger boat-tail body. Bentley 4½ Liter however, is a heavy car, with a total weight of 1 625 kg (3 580 lb). And although it included a manual transmission, one had to be very skillful to operate with the four gears, due to their unsynchronization. The engine contributed for the overall heavy weight of the model, because it was a heavy cast iron inline-four engine. The engine, modern for that particular period, included two double carburetors and dual ignition with Bosch magnetos. Thus it was possible for it to produce the impressive 130 hp (97 kW) at that time. Therefore, you can imagine how easy it was for this model to race in competitions.

Next comes the 1935 Dusenberg SJ model, which will surprise you in many ways. First of all, it has the whole 320 hp (239 kW)! Can you believe a car that fast in the 30’s of the last century? It included 3-Speed Manual transmission, but due to the heavy weight of 2 608 kg / 5 750 lbs, it accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in more than 10 seconds. Secondly, there are only two vehicles of this particular model, built in the 1935. Another interesting fact about it is that one of them belonged to the famous actor Gary Cooper and the other – to Clark Gable. The model was equipped by two special carburetors and inlet ports of special shape named “ram’s horn”.

In 1937 the luxury brand came out with the Mercedes-Benz 540K model, which now is considered to be one of the most expensive Mercedes-Benz road-going cars. A model of it was a few years ago sold for the amount of $8 235 112. In the late 30’s this model was a development of the Mercedes SSK, and was offered not only as a two seater cabriolet, but also as a four seater coupé or seven seater limousine. The 540K has the unique for that time straight 8-cylinder engine increased to 5n401 cubic centimeters. It was aspirated by twin pressurized updraft carburetors. This made possible for the vehicle to develop 115 hp (86 kW). Moreover it included four-speed or five speed manual gearbox, which had synchromesh on the top three gears. The hydraulic brakes were also vacuum-assisted. What is interesting here, is that people such as Jack Warner (from the Warner Brothers) were owners of this model.

1955 Jaguar D Type is a factory-built race car, which has 3.8 liters engine. Beside the engines it includes some of the most important innovations achieved at this time of the 20th century. What I have in mind here are the use of disc brakes and the monocoque chassis. The latter was the first type of aircraft-style engineering which was featured in a race-car design. This special monocoque technology is made using some basic principles typical for it. First the cabin and the part where the driver sat, was made from alluminium allow sheets, to which was mounted an aluminium tubing subframe. The latter par carries the bonnet, the engine, the front suspension, and the steering assembly. Eventually the rear suspension and final drive were mounted straightly to the monocoque. Another innovation included in this model, is that the fuel was carried in deformable bags inside cells within the monocoque. As you can see, another aspect of this car is the highly aerodynamic body, which was stabilized through large vertical stabilizer mounted behind the head of the driver. This D Type from 1955 has in addition larger valves (than the models in the years before) which were accommodated through a cylinder head with asymmetrical design. D-Type served its purpose well, and won a lot of top places at racing competitions. At last, probably you know the iconic Jaguar E-Type. What you might miss here is that the D Type is the actual predecessor of the aforementioned icon.

I am sure you have already wondered where the Ferrari model in this article is. Well, here comes the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California, which is an evolution of the 250 GT Tour de France and includes 12-cylinders engine which achieves the whole 280 hp (209 kW) and has three carburetors. On this model were also introduced for the first time disc brakes. A replica of this particular model was also featured in the movie from the 1986 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. What is particularly interesting here is that few years ago a black Ferrari of the model was sold for nearly 11 million dollars.

February 11, 2012