Jaguar C-Type Works Racer
Officially designated the XK120-C ('C' for Competition), the Jaguar C-Type was purpose-built to win the Le Mans 24 Hours — and it succeeded brilliantly, winning in 1951 and 1953. The C-Type was the brainchild of Jaguar's chief engineer William Heynes and aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, who created the sleek, aerodynamically efficient body using mathematical formulas rather than styling intuition. Underneath sat a tubular steel spaceframe chassis — far more advanced than the XK120's separate chassis — with the proven XK twin-cam engine tuned to produce 200 hp in initial form (later 220 hp with Weber carburetors and higher-lift cams). The C-Type's most significant contribution to automotive history came in 1953, when it became the first car to win Le Mans using disc brakes, developed in partnership with Dunlop. The technology proved transformative — the C-Types could brake later and harder than drum-braked rivals without fade, and their domination of Le Mans convinced the entire industry to adopt disc brakes. Only 53 C-Types were built — three prototype/works cars and 50 production examples sold to privateer racers and wealthy enthusiasts. Today they are among the most valuable and historically significant racing cars ever made.
With only 53 built and values in the millions, provenance and authenticity are everything. Every C-Type is documented. Competition history adds enormous value. Verify tubular frame integrity. Watch for replicas — many exist.
Three works prototypes built in 1951. 50 production cars built 1952-53 for private customers. 1953 works cars had Weber carbs, lightened body, and pioneering Dunlop disc brakes.