HISTORY IN THE MAKING
In 1950 William Lyons recruited engineering prodigy Malcolm Sayer to work on a pioneering new race car. Six months later, C-type would make its Le Mans debut.
LE MANS 1951: A FITTING DEBUT
The first C-types took on the Le Mans racecourse in the spring of 1951. Success was instant. Driver Stirling Moss broke the lap record by an impressive six seconds, while drivers Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won the day with an imposing nine-lap lead – the first of many Jaguar motorsport victories. C-type would prove itself to be one of the most important cars in Jaguar’s racing history.
PIONEERING DISC BRAKE TECHNOLOGY
Despite instant success at Le Mans in 1951 with the drum brake-equipped C-type, a braking system more resistant to fade was clearly required for racing at increased speed and distance. Over the winter months of 1951 and 1952, Jaguar collaborated with Dunlop on pioneering disc brake development.
On the 29th of June 1952, Stirling Moss drove C-type to victory at Reims, at an average speed of 98,18mph. This was the first time an international motor race had been won by a car fitted with disc brakes. Enhanced by Dunlop’s critical development of pads thick enough to last the entire 24-hour race, and paired with a revised lighter body, C-type was ready for Le Mans 1953.
LE MANS 1953: LIGHTER, FASTER, STRONGER
THE CHEQUERED FLAG
Taking on the might of Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, the Jaguar Racing C-type established itself as a truly formidable force, claiming the Le Mans crown for the second time in first, second and fourth place
THE HISTORY MAKERS
Covering over 2.500 miles at an average speed of 105,85mph, Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt’s race winning C-type smashed the previous 1952 record of 96,7mph, becoming the first winners to take the title with an average speed of more than 100mph.
THE EXPERT DRIVERS
Behind Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt’s victorious car 18, Stirling Moss and Peter Walker took second place in car 17. Fourth position was secured by Peter Whitehead and Ian Stewart in car 19.
THE ROYAL APPROVAL
C-type’s second Le Mans triumph turned heads in the highest of places. A telegram from Her Majesty the Queen arrived at Jaguar’s Coventry Headquarters upon the team’s return
OWN THE LEGEND
Create your perfect C-type vision with our digital configurator. Choose from a range of exterior heritage colours, trims, steering wheel, Jaguar badging and race roundel packs.
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