Jaguar D Type 1956 Le Mans

Jaguar D Type 1956 Le Mans

The Jaguar D-Type was a sports car produced by Jaguar Cars Ltd between 1954 and 1957 when it was superseded by the legendary E-Type.

Classed as a sports racing car with a roadster body style, it took on many of its mechanical components from the previous C-Type including the basic XK engine.

The futuristic structure, however, was radically different with the innovative monocoque construction comprising sheets of aluminium alloy, bringing aviation technology to competition car design.

The distinctive tailfin added aerodynamic stability and was aimed specifically to gain maximum speed at Le Mans. The long-nose bodywork also complemented the streamlined body to maintain racing speed advantage. The fuel was carried in the tail.

As a result of all these refinements, D-Types did very well in the Le Mans 24-hour race which they won in 1955, 1956 and 1957. The first release on our D-Type Jaguar is a faithful replica of the open-top car as raced by Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb in 1956 when the pair finished in 6th place.

Decorated in British Racing Green, with the black out of white racing number 1 on the nearside door, bonnet front and offside tailfin, another distinctive feature is the one-piece wrap-around windscreen that extends along the sides of the car to the edge of the doors. It is registered with an off road red and white number plate 393 RW, which on the front is situated under the right wing.

The red and white Jaguar badge is printed above the radiator and above the rear number plate. The interior is all black with a silver steering wheel.

Further external detail sees the model with a black chassis and silver wheels.