Lot 122: 1962 Jaguar C-Type Replica by Lynx

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 competition automobiles. Jaguar built only 54 C-Types and it is worth noting that the first three Formula 1 World Champions - Guiseppe Farina, Alberto Ascari and Juan-Manuel Fangio - all bought them as road cars. It is not hard to understand why: at the time of its introduction the C-Type represented the state-of-the-art in racing car engineering and thus was one of the most advanced road vehicles in the world.

Those multiple Le Mans wins in the 1950s, as well as numerous victories in the other great classic endurance events, coupled with superlative driving qualities that made it so attractive to three of the greatest drivers in history, have ensured a continuing healthy demand for replicas of Jaguar�s rare and exotic sports-racer. An acknowledged master in this highly specialised field is the Sussex-based firm of Lynx Engineering, which enjoys an international reputation for accuracy and quality second to none.

The car we offer today is the very first C-Type replica built by Lynx and comes with a letter signed by company co-founder, Chris Keith-Lucas, who recalls that he personally made the entire chassis and aluminium body. Lynx C-Type chassis number �76-01� was built using a 1954 XK120 (registered �PAC 479� in the UK) as donor car and retains that vehicle�s chassis number, �667252�. The tubular chassis frame was constructed to a jig made off a genuine Jaguar C-Type (�XKC 006�), which was being restored by Lynx at the same time. It is therefore very accurate except that the joints are bronze welded, rather than arc welded like the original, as this was felt to be a stronger method.

The engine and ancillaries are to original C-Type specification, complete with the correct 2� sand-cast SU carburettors, special late C-Type three-piece sump casting, correct radiator and genuine C-Type exhaust manifold. The gearbox is an XK overdrive type with a special C-Type top cover. In his letter, Mr Keith-Lucas recalls that the gearbox was modified to make overdrive available on all gears, effectively giving a choice of two sets of final drive ratios. A section of chassis was cut out to accommodate the larger casing.

Described as �slightly hybrid�, the front suspension uses E-Type torsion bars rather than C-Type, XK150 disc brakes (but the correct upper wishbones) and the very special C-Type steering rack. The rear suspension is accurate apart from the disc brake conversion, while the fuel tank is also an exact copy of the C-Type 45-gallon Le Mans long range tank. Lynx also took pains to ensure that the seats, dashboard, instruments, mirror, steering wheel and so on were completely correct.

The car�s first owner was well known collector, Mr Tony Charnock of London, who owned a number of other interesting cars at that time, including a couple of original D-Types and a beautifully original XK120. Lynx commenced building the car for him around 1974 and finished it in 1976. Mr Charnock kept the C-Type for a number of years and around 1980 it was displayed at the Essen Motor Show where it gained first prize in the coachbuilding competition. In about 1981/82 Lynx sold �76-01� to famous Swiss collector Yves Stotlz of Neuchatel. After Mr Stotlz�s death the car was bought by a garage in the same area and then sold by them in 1999 to well known marque specialist Aldo Vinzio of Jaguar Tradition in Geneva. The current owner fell in love with the C-Type and bought the car having followed it home from the Le Mans Classic in 2006.

Nicely patinated and presented in generally good condition, the C-Type benefits from an engine rebuild carried out by Kallen SA in 2000, since when fewer than 10,000 kilometres have been covered. It is offered with the relevant invoice, the aforementioned correspondence, expired MoT (1982-83), FIVA Identity Card and Swiss Permis de Circulation.




Cette voiture, la toute premi�re Type C replica construite par Lynx, est accompagn�e d�une lettre sign�e de la main du co-fondateur de la firme, Chris Keith-Lucas, attestant qu�il a personnellement construit le ch�ssis et la carrosserie en aluminium. Le ch�ssis Lynx Type C n� 76-01 construit � partir d�une XK 120 de 1954 (immatricul�e PAC 479 au Royaume-Uni) a conserv� le num�ro de ch�ssis de cette voiture, � 667252 �. La ch�ssis tubulaire a �t� fabriqu� sur un gabarit relev� sur une authentique Jaguar Type C (XKC 006) alors en restauration chez Lynx au m�me moment. Il est donc tr�s fid�le � l�original � l�exception des soudures r�alis�es par brasure au bronze au lieu de la soudure � l�arc, ce type d�assemblage �tant consid�r� comme plus r�sistant.

Le moteur et les accessoires sont conformes aux sp�cifications originales de la Type C y compris les carburateurs SU de 2 pouces fondus au sable, le carter d�huile en trois pi�ces sp�cial aux derni�res Type C, le radiateur correct et l��chappement sp�cial Type C. La bo�te est un type XK avec overdrive dot�e du couvercle type C. dans sa lettre, M. Keith-Lucas rappelle que la bo�te a �t� modifi�e pour que l�overdrive fonctionne sur tous les rapports donnant ainsi deux gammes compl�tes de rapports finaux. Une section du ch�ssis fut d�coup�e pour loger le carter plus volumineux.

Qualifi�e de � l�g�rement hybride �, la suspension avant comporte des barres de torsion de Type E au lieu de barres de Type C, des disques de freins avant de XK 150 (mais avec les triangles sup�rieurs corrects) et la cr�maill�re de direction tr�s sp�ciale de Type C. La suspension arri�re est correcte sauf la conversion aux freins � disque, tandis que le r�servoir est identique � celui de 45 gallons des Type C du Mans. Lynx a fait en sorte que les si�ges, planche de bord, instrumentation, r�troviseurs, volant, etc soient conformes � l�original.

Le premier propri�taire fut le tr�s connu collectionneur de Jaguar Tony Charnock de Londres, qui poss�dait � l��poque un certain nombre de voitures int�ressantes dont deux Type D originales et une XK 120. Lynx commen�a pour lui la construction de la voiture vers 1974 et l�acheva en 1976. M. Charnock conserva la Type C quelques ann�es et elle fut expos� en 1980 � l�Essen Motor Show o� elle remporta un premier prix dans le concours de carrosserie. Vers 1981/82, Lynx vendit � 76-01 � au collectionneur suisse Yves Stotlz de Neuch�tel. Apr�s le d�c�s de M. Stotlz, la voiture fut acquise par un garage de la r�gion puis revendue en 1999 au sp�cialiste de la marque Aldo Vinzio de Jaguar Tradition � Gen�ve. L�actuel propri�taire fut s�duit par la Type C et l�acheta apr�s l�avoir suivie sur la route du retour apr�s Le Mans Classic en 2006.

�l�gamment patin�e et pr�sent�e en tr�s bon �tat g�n�ral, la Type C qui a b�n�fici� d�une r�fection du moteur effectu�e par Kallen SA en 2000 a parcouru depuis moins de 10 000 km. Elle est accompagn�e de la facture de ces travaux, de la correspondance cit�e ci-dessus, d�un MoT p�rim� (1982-83), de la carte d�identit� FIVA et du permis de circulation suisse.