00:00Is a remarkable racing sports car built by Jaguar between 1951 and 1953.
00:06Known for its racing prowess, the type emerged as a dominant force in motorsport during the
00:11early 1950s.
00:12With a perfect blend of advanced engineering, aerodynamic design, and sheer power, the type
00:18set a new benchmark in the world of racing.
00:21This story delves into the detailed history of the Jaguar type, highlighting its development,
00:26technical specifications, and significant achievements on the race track.
00:31Thank you for joining us on this deep dive into the history of the legendary Jaguar type.
00:36If you enjoyed learning about this iconic racing car and its fascinating journey through the
00:411950s, please give this video a thumbs up and hit the subscribe button.
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00:56In the early 1950s, Jaguar's chief engineer, William Haynes, and his team began conceptualizing
01:03a racing variant of the road-proven Jaguar XK120.
01:07The goal was to create a lightweight, aerodynamic, and powerful sports car capable of competing
01:13at the highest levels of motorsport.
01:15The result was the Jaguar type, with the C standing for competition.
01:19The Jaguar type was equipped with the XK120 S3 4-liter twin-cam, straight-six engine, initially
01:27producing between 160 and 180 bhp 134 kilowatts.
01:34The type version, however, was tuned to around 205 bhp 153 kilowatts, providing a significant
01:42boost in performance.
01:43Ehrlich types featured SU carburetors and drum brakes, while later models, produced from
01:49mid-1953, were fitted with triple-twinch or Quebec carburetors, high-lift camshafts,
01:56and disc brakes on all four wheels.
01:59These improvements increased power to 220 bhp 164 kilowatts and enhanced braking performance.
02:07The lightweight, multitubular, triangulated frame of the type was designed by Hanes.
02:13The aerodynamic aluminium body, developed by Hanes, R.J. Bob Knight, and later refined
02:19by Malcolm Sayer, was crafted in the Barquetta style.
02:23The body was devoid of road-going items such as carpets, weather equipment, and exterior
02:28door handles, emphasizing its racing purpose.
02:31The Jaguar type made a spectacular debut at the 1951 24 hours of Le Mans.
02:37The factory entered three cars, driven by pairs including Sterling Moss and Jack Fairman,
02:43Leslie Johnson and Clemente Biandetti, and Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead.
02:48The Walker-Whitehead car emerged victorious, marking a triumphant entry for the type in its
02:53first major race.
02:54This victory solidified Jaguar's reputation in the racing world and demonstrated the type's
02:59capabilities.
03:00In 1952, Jaguar faced significant challenges at Le Mans.
03:05Concerns about the speed of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL led to modifications in the type's aerodynamics
03:11to increase top speed.
03:13However, these changes resulted in overheating issues, causing all three factory-interred cars
03:19to retire from the race.
03:20Testing by Norman Dewis after the race identified floors in the cooling system, which was subsequently
03:26corrected.
03:26Jaguar returned to Le Mans in 1953 with a revised and improved C-Type.
03:32This time, the car featured a thinner, lighter aluminum body, triple Weber carburetors, and
03:38disc brakes.
03:39The changes paid off, as the C-Type secured first, second, and fourth places in the race.
03:44Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt won the race, achieving an average speed of 105.85 mph 170.35 kmh, the
03:55first
03:56time the race had been won at an average speed of over 100 mph 161 kmh.
04:02The C-Type's final appearance at Le Mans was in 1954, where N.E.
04:07Curie-Frank or Champs entry driven by Roger Leron and Jacques Swatters finished fourth.
04:12This marked the end of the C-Type's illustrious racing career, having established itself as
04:17a formidable competitor in the world of motorsport.
04:20The Jaguar C-Type was instrumental in introducing several technological advancements to the racing world.
04:27Notably, it was one of the first cars to utilize disc brakes, which significantly improved braking
04:33performance.
04:34The success of the C-Type at Le Mans demonstrated the superiority of disc brakes, leading to their
04:39widespread adoption in production cars.
04:42When new, the Jaguar C-Type sold for about $6,000, roughly twice the price of an XK120.
04:49Over the years, the value of a genuine C-Type has soared.
04:52In 2003, the value of a genuine, healthy C-Type was estimated at £400,000, with the 1953 Le Mans
05:01winner valued at around £2 million.
05:04In recent years, C-Type's have fetched astronomical prices at auctions, with an X-C-Curie Eco's
05:10lightweight type selling for 13 dollars 2 million 8 pounds 4 million in 2015 one of the most notable
05:18types was chassis xkc 024 which was sold to alex thompson of denver colorado the car was famously
05:26driven by phil hill to a second place finish in the lone star 200 at bergstrom air force base in
05:311953 over the years xkc 024 passed through various owners participated in numerous races and events
05:40and underwent extensive restorations its storied history and connection to legendary drivers make
05:46it a highly sought-after collector's item the jaguar types legacy is one of innovation triumph
05:52and enduring appeal its combination of advanced engineering aerodynamic design and racing success
05:58set new standards in the world of motorsport from its debut victory at lemans in 1951 to its final
06:05appearance in 1954 the type left an indelible mark on racing history today it remains a cherished
06:12symbol of jaguar's engineering excellence and competitive spirit celebrated by collectors and
06:17enthusiasts worldwide
