Autoblog

Jaguar launching factory-backed heritage racing team

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Jaguar

Although Jaguar may not be racing all that much these days, motorsport competition was an integral part to forming its identity decades ago. And it's that legacy that Jaguar aims to tap into with its latest development.

The British auto marque has of late been participating in numerous classic racing events, but is now intensifying and organizing its efforts under the Jaguar Heritage Racing banner. Managed for the factory by specialist firm JD Classics of Essex, the program will see the C-Type and D-Type (click on the image above to enlarge the two classic cats) challenging revival events at venues as varied as Goodwood, the Nürburgring and the Mille Miglia, where the initiative will make its first appearance this May.

Although limited in scope to classic racing events, the renewed effort will see the factory getting back onto the track in an arguably more substantial way than it has with the Jaguar RSR XKR GT2, retapping the racing spirit not seen in Coventry since winning Le Mans with the XJR-12 in 1990 and selling its F1 team in 2004 - but which could, if recent rumors come to fruition, resurface again with a new LMP1 in the near future. In the meantime you can read more about the Jaguar Heritage Racing program in the press release below.

Continue reading Jaguar launching factory-backed heritage racing team

Jaguar launching factory-backed heritage racing team originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jaguar green-lights the C-Type sportscar, nixes the XJ coupe

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Jaguar, Luxury

1952 Jaguar C-Type - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lovers of Jaguar sports-coupes - of which there are more than a few here at Autoblog - have only had the XK to subsist on for quite some time now. And a silken cat it is, to be sure, but soon it'll have company. According to a report from Inside Line, Coventry is proceeding with preparations to launch an oft-rumored and long-speculated new sportscar.

Tentatively dubbed "C-Type" and (unimaginatively) referred to internally as the "small sports car," the new vehicle will reportedly be based on a new aluminum monocoque chassis. IL indicates that the engine bay will be big enough to accommodate the company's 5.0-liter V8 (supercharged C-Type R, anyone?), but power is is initially expected to come from a turbocharged V6, developed in-house off the V8's architecture. Both coupe and soft-top convertible bodystyles are expected to form part of the formula when the new sportscar arrives to take on the likes of the Mercedes SLK, BMW Z4 and Audi TT within the next two years.

While we eagerly anticipate the C-Type's arrival, our compatriots at IL also report that the rumored XJ coupe - targeting the likes of the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes CL-Class - is not currently in the running. But given the choice between a small, lightweight sportscar and an oversized coupe, we'll gladly take the former.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Jaguar green-lights the C-Type sportscar, nixes the XJ coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Auctions, Jaguar

Phil Hill's 1952 Jaguar C-Type - Click above for high-res image gallery

The upcoming auctions at Pebble Beach are shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Which should come as no big surprise as legends are exactly what will be up for grabs. In addition to the highly anticipated launch of the new "Grand Bentley" amidst the field of lust-worthy machinery on display, auctioneers will be putting such notable classics on the block as Ettore Buggati's own Type 57C, the one-of-a-kind Miller V16 racing car, and this historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type.

The first C-Type Jaguar to be imported into the United States, model XKC-007 was sent straight to the race track where it was driven by no less a talent than the legendary Phil Hill. The World-Champion-to-be took this particular C-Type to three victories at Elkhart Lake, Torrey Pines and Watkins Glen, the former scoring as the first victory for the iconic C-Type in its storied history. After being retired from active duty, XKC-007 passed through several collections before undergoing a full restoration in 1986, after which it won numerous awards on the vintage concours circuit - including a reunion date with Phil Hill to commemorate Jaguar's 50th anniversary in 2002. XKC-007 will be up for auction at RM's three-day Sports & Classics of Monterey event from August 13-15. Details in the press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.

Gallery: 1952 Jaguar C-Type #XKC-007 ex-Phil Hill

[Source: RM Auctions]

Continue reading Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach

Phil Hill's race-winning Jaguar C-Type on the block at Pebble Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Jaguar C-Type draws its claws

Noah Joseph — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Jaguar, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

Jaguar's owner Ratan Tata has made it clear that he wants to expand Jag's sportscar offerings beyond the scope of the current XK, and this is what the British rumormill has cooked. Dubbed the C-Type, the renderings depict a compact two-door roadster to rival the likes of Porsche's Boxster, BMW's Z4, Mercedes' SLK and Nissan's 370Z. With a lightweight aluminum chassis and powertrain options to potentially include a 235hp V6, 380hp V8 and 3.0-liter turbodiesel, the C-Type could offer exciting performance in a compact package, like Aston's Vantage, but at a fraction of the price. Although in the present climate Jaguar would do well to take things one step at a time, the report speculates that the diminutive C-Type could come in addition to a 911-rivaling E-Type successor and an R8-battling supercar. Likely? Not quite. Exciting? Most definitely. Hat tip to Mo for the news!

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: Jaguar C-Type draws its claws originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar to headline this year's Mille Miglia

Noah Joseph — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Jaguar

1953 Jaguar D-Type (above), 2009 Jaguar XKR and XFR (below right) - Click on either image to view in high resolution

The Mille Miglia is one of those iconic races that, even though it's not run anymore as a contemporary competitive race, is still celebrated every year with a retrospective historic rally along the original route through the Italian countryside. Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis typically make up a healthy portion of the field, but this year Jaguar will be out in full force with a factory-backed contingent.

The Jaguar Heritage Trust is bringing out a fleet of some of its most iconic classics, including a long-nose D-Type (pictured above), the C-Type which raced the 1953 Mille Miglia, plus three more vintage C-Types and a Mark VII saloon. Jaguar will also be sending a fleet of new XKRs and XFRs (pictured right) to support the event, but classic Jag racing lovers will undoubtedly be looking forward just as much to seeing Norman Dewis, the legendary Jaguar factory test driver who co-drove with Sterling Moss at the event in 1952. Altogether an impressive array of classic Jaguar workhorses to celebrate the marque's heritage.

[Source: Octane]

Jaguar to headline this year's Mille Miglia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recently acquired Proteus to debut Jaguar C-Type Coupe replica

John Neff — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Jaguar

Proteus is a well respected manufacturer of replica sports cars based in the U.K. It currently offers convertible versions of the Jaguar C-Type (pictured at right) and D-Type that are near spot-on doppelgangers of the originals. Much has been happening in Proteus' world lately, as the company was recently acquired by its rival, Enduro Cars. This should be a good thing for Proteus, especially considering that Enduro Cars has made significant inroads in establishing a presence in the U.S., building a retail and service center in Irvine, California and new offices in Litchfield, Connecticut.

What's of more interest is news that Proteus may build a coupe version of its Jaguar C-Type replica, as shown in the rendering above. A scale model of the coupe will be shown at Race Retro during the 2007 International Historic Motorsport Show in Coventry, England this weekend. The show is somewhat of a relaunch for the Proteus brand under the stewardship of Enduro Cars, and if the public reacts favorably to the C-Type Coupe model it will likely get the go ahead for sale.

Press release after the jump

[Source: Proteus]

Gallery: Proteus C-Type

Continue reading Recently acquired Proteus to debut Jaguar C-Type Coupe replica

Recently acquired Proteus to debut Jaguar C-Type Coupe replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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