1956 Jaguar D-Type
Specifications |
|
| Stock: | J56-866 |
| Current condition: | SHOW-DRIVER |
| Performance: | 4.2 Jaguar E-Type 6-cyl, Triple Weber carburetors |
| Transmission: | Getrag 5 speed |
| Color exterior: | Blue |
| Color interior: | Blue |
| Features: | RAM coil over shocks, Racing Style Seatbelts |
| Mileage: | 329 (since build) |
| Wheels: | Dunlop Style Racing Wheels with Knock Offs |
| Tires: | 205/60/16 Continental |
| Brakes: | XJ6 Front & Rear Brakes |
| Vin #: | P56260866JA |
| Engine #: | 8L108413-S |
| Other 1: | Body Number: XD-656 |
Description
(SOLD)
History
Designed specifically to win the Le Mans 24-hour race, the slippery D-Type was produced by Jaguar Cars Ltd. between 1954 and 1957. Sharing the straight-6 XK engine and many mechanical components with its C-Type predecessor its structure however was radically different. Innovative monocoque construction and aerodynamic efficiency integrated aviation technology in a sports racing car, some examples including a renowned vertical stabilizer. Engine displacement began at 3.4 litres, was enlarged to 3.8 L in 1957, and reduced to 3.0 L in 1958 when Le Mans rules limited engines for sports racing cars to that maximum. D-Types won Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957. After Jaguar temporarily retired from racing as a factory team, the company offered the remaining unfinished D-Types as XKSS versions whose extra road-going equipment made them eligible for production sports car races in America. In 1957 25 of these cars were in various stages of completion when a factory fire destroyed nine of them. Total production is thought to have included 18 factory team D-Types, 53 customer cars and 16 XKSS versions.