
Lot 254 - 1985 12947 D-Type Recreation
Lot Number | 254 |
Registration | AHJ 208C |
Chassis Number | SABTVR03598183074 |
Odometer reading | 4,183 miles |
Estimate | £32,000 - £38,000 |
Result | Sold - £34,720 |
The 190 mph technical masterpiece, the Jaguar D-Type, has a
special place within motoring history. It was built for a specific
purpose; that being a Le Mans racing car. If a manufacturer
succeeded at Le Mans, it meant success in the world markets and
Jaguar succeeded with three wins in a row at Le Mans in 1955, 1956
and 1957. The original D-Types being are now much beyond the pocket
of most and this has led to an industry for replica D-Types being
manufactured with many choices of engines and gearboxes.
The D-Type offered today is a short nose recreation built and
developed as a race car and campaigned with much success securing
13 outright wins. Originally built as a RAM LM D-Type, the car was
reconstructed three times, each time becoming lighter and faster
with this final version being a completely bespoke D-Type weighing
in at approximately 965 kgs. The centre section tub, doors and fin
have been hand formed in aluminium with the rest of the bodywork,
including the bonnet made in glass fibre. The technical
specification is huge with five files of drawings, technical data
and invoices included. Power is supplied by a race tuned, 4.2 big
valve head, 3.8 litre Jaguar engine fuelled by Triple Weber
carburettors. Fuel is carried within an aluminium foam filled fuel
tank at the rear. Sparks are provided via a Lumenition programmable
ignition system. The engine is mated to a GETRAG five speed gearbox
with a Cambridge Motorsport race clutch with the final drive via a
Jaguar 3.5:4 Power Lok differential with uprated drive shafts. An
adjustable bias braking system has Hi-Spec Monster RR four pot
calipers at the front and Superlite calipers to the rear. The
handling is aided by uprated wishbones and AVO coil over shock
absorbers (aluminium lightweight) and springs.
This D-Type is UK registered and has had SVA approval in 2000.
Importantly it is recorded on the V5 registration document as a RAM
Kit LM D-Type however, it is currently in race trim with a race
seat and it does not have a functioning handbrake. Works are
therefore required to put it back to road format. An interior set
of seat trims comes with the car so two occupants may be
re-instated for road use. Note - the passenger area is covered by
an aluminium tonneau when in single seat trim. A road clutch and
engine oil sump is also included in the sale (it is recommended
that the race sump is not used for road use).
This massively specified D-Type bespoke recreation certainly looks
the part. Finished in black and sitting on Dunlop style alloy
wheels with new road tyres, the D-Type has a definite period feel
to it and with prices of the originals fetching stratospheric
prices; this must represent an ideal opportunity for the true
Jaguar enthusiasts especially given the build costs in relation to
the low estimate.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.