Lot 220: Jaguar C-Type Replica

The XK120C’s astonishing debut victory in the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour Race and its follow-up win in ’53 established Jaguar’s first purpose-built racing sports car as one of the all-time great sporting automobiles and paved the way for the even more successful D-Type. These multiple Le Mans wins in the 1950s, as well as numerous victories in the other great classic endurance events, have ensured a continuing healthy demand for replicas of Jaguar’s rare and exotic works sports-racers. Acknowledged master in this highly specialised field is Brian Wingfield, who constructed this exacting replica some 20 years ago at the behest of the current owner. Its multi-tubular spaceframe chassis is clothed in aluminium alloy coachwork by Classic Autos of Kings Langley (Aubrey Finburgh) modelled from that of Paul Grist’s works example to a degree of accuracy such that it will fit straight on to any factory car. The suspension follows the original C-Type pattern with wishbones at the front and live axle at the rear, sprung by torsion bars. The 3.4-litre engine is XK140SE to C-Type specification but fitted with a straight-port cylinder head, triple Weber 45DCO carburettors and ‘D’ camshafts. Modifications include a non-standard (more reliable) fuel pump, non-original steering rack, Kenlowe electric fan and larger XK150 radiator for improved cooling. A specially constructed Safety Devices removable roll cage is included with the car. All work and maintenance has been carried out by experienced Jaguar enthusiast Brian Cracknell of Station Garage, Troston, Suffolk. The car has been raced and hill-climbed occasionally in ‘8’ Club and AMOC events, wining its class at Valance hill climb and finishing second at Gurston. Some 14,500 miles have been covered since its construction. Without question one of the most accurate C-Type replicas around, ‘DFL 766’ is offered with current road fund licence/MoT certificate and Swansea V5 registration document.