C-Type (United Kingdom, 1951)

From 1951 to 1953 Jaguar produced an endurance racing version of its XK120 model, which was named C-Type, although it is also known as the XK120C. Contrary to what one might think, that was no A- or B-Type Jaguar models before – the “C” on this model’s name stands for “Competition”. Jaguar produced the C-Type until they came up with a better racing model (D-Type) to succeed it.

The Jaguar C-Type, also called XK120 C, was launched in 1951 to compete and start Jaguar’s racing program at that year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The C-Type is actually the endurance racing version of the XK120 model and the “C” on both of the car’s accepted names stand for Competition.   The revised later C-Type copies benefitted from an increase in power, an improvement in the braking system and a decrease in weight, which resulted on better performance cars. Jaguar stopped producing the C-Type in 1953, with a total of 52 copies built, in order to give room to its successor, the D-Type.

The Jaguar C-Type has a front-mounted 3.4-liter engine that produces 205 hp and allows for a top speed of 140 mi/h (225 km/h). The C-Type takes about 8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mi/h, assisted by a rear-wheel drive system and a 4-speed manual transmission.

Lightweight, multi-tubular and triangulated frame designed by Bob Knight   Platform
  Suspension Front wishbones with torsion-bar springs and hydraulic shock absorbers; rear rigid axle with torsion bars.   Steering Rack and pinion.   Brakes Early cars had all-round drum brakes but later revised models were given all-round discs.

The Jaguar C-Type is a roadster model and that is the only body style in which the company had this car available. Designer Malcom Sayer styled the C-Type’s aerodynamic bodywork.

A Jaguar C-Type car was entered at the 24 Hours Le Mans for the first time in 1951 and it actually ended up as the winner of the race, thanks to drivers Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead.   A new victory was accomplished by a C-Type, driven by Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt, at the 1953 season of the Le Mans. Then in 1954, it was drivers Roger Laurent and Jacques Swaters who drove the Jaguar C-Type that won that year’s Le Mans season.