Jaguar Cars

Jaguar D-Type

The D-Type was built with one race in mind: Le Mans, in France. But it wasn't as if Jaguar had been without success, as their XK 120C MkII, otherwise known as I he C-Type, had been successful in the early 1950s and had been clocked doing 180mph (289km/h) on a closed Belgian highway.

To make the Jaguar D-Type as light and advanced as possible, the D-Type used a center moonquake section with separate front subframe, where most cars were using ladder frames. There was still a live axle at I he rear, but up front were double wishbones and longitudinal torsion bar springs. The engine was a version of Jaguar's famous XK unit, featuring an iron block and ally head with twin high-lift camshafts, bigger inlet valves and three twin Weber carbs. It used dry sump lubrication to remain reliable in racing. Later, fuel injection gave 304bhp (227kW). The rear fin was for high-speed stability.

Jaguar Cars

Jaguar Cars

Jaguar Mk2

One of Britain's most evocative cars, the Jaguar Mk2 is an all-time classic. Beloved of bank managers and bank robbers alike, the Mk2 combined top levels of luxury with excellent performance and inspired roadholding. Not only was it a great car to drive and be driven in, but it looked stunning, too.

The unique curvy body was beautiful from any angle, while the distinctive oval radiator grille established itself as a Jaguar trademark. AH Mk2s were great cars to drive, but the model most cherished by enthusiasts was the 3.8-liter with manual transmission, which had performance to match the finest sports cars of the era. The Mk 2 also spawned a Daimler offshoot, following Jaguar's acquisition of its rival manufacturer in 1960. The 250 V8 had the engine from the Daimler Dart Roadster and more luxurious trim.

Jaguar XJ220

It was top Jaguar engineer Jim Randle who came up with the idea for a 542 bhp (403 kW) supercar. A Concept was built for the British Motor Show in 1988, but it wasn't until Ford took over Jaguar the following year that the go ahead for production was given. Jaguar with a VI2 and four-wheel drive, the car eventually debuted at the track with a twin-turbo V6 and two-wheel drive, plus it was 9.8 inches (250mm) shorter than the concept.

The Sport got the job of building it and while the concept was shown, debut car crushed the track record at the famous 14-mile (22-km) Nurburgring circuit, Germany, and reached test speeds of 213 mph (340 km/h). This resulted in a final model in 1992 which went into production, taking 12 days to make each one of the 275 built. Each one cost $400,000 and, at the time, it was the fastest production car ever.

Classic Cars