Jaguar Celebrates Its 1953 Le Mans Victory 70 Years On With Two New C-Type Models

The two new Jaguar C-types are part of a C-type Continuation 70-Edition, with each car in the series designed with a unique colour and trim, alongside hand-crafted silver enamelled badging....
All images credited to Jaguar

In 1953, British drivers Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in one of three Jaguar C-types: they were the first cars to race and win at Le Mans with disc brakes, breaking speed and distance records of the time. 70 years later, the British luxury car brand is honouring this historic victory with two new exclusive C-type models.

The two new Jaguar C-types are part of a C-type Continuation 70-Edition, with each car in the series designed with a unique colour and trim, alongside hand-crafted silver enamelled badging. Fittingly, the C-types have the racing number 70 painted on the front, back and sides of the vehicles, and are adorned with unique 70-Edition stitching and embroidery.

The first C-type possesses a Verbier Silver exterior, coupled with Cranberry Red leather interior: a distinctive, one-of-a-kind combination created to celebrate the C-type’s platinum anniversary.

The second C-type is moreso catered to the 1953 Le Mans victory, featuring a British Racing Green colourway, and a matching Suede Green leather interior that harmonises well together.

Jaguar didn’t take on the task of designing these two beauties alone: they employed the assistance of Deakin & Francis jewellers to silver-enamelled badges and dashboard hardware, ensuring that the speed of the vehicles are complemented by opulence. 

Speaking of speed, let’s look at the engine. The C-type Continuations are powered by a 3.4-litre inline-six engine, promising to exhilarate with 220 horsepower.

Combining function and flair, it should be no surprise that each C-type Continuation takes over 3000 hours to construct, crafted entirely by hand. In fact, each engine takes nine months to assemble, as the trio of Weber 40DC03 carburettors are fitted and installed by a single technician. 

Matthew Bailey, Jaguar Land Rover Classic’s senior manager for strategy and business development, said the spirit of the C-type Continuation is all about celebrating one of the most momentous events in Jaguar history.

“Each C-type Continuation is a rare and special vehicle to grace any collection, but we are delighted to reveal these two exquisite editions to commemorate a landmark year for Jaguar and motorsport,” Bailey said.

“In 1953, the introduction of the disc brake combined with C-type’s clever design and engineering, meant that the vehicle was dominant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“The C-type is a historically significant car with Jaguar pioneering disc-brake technology 70 years ago and we often take for granted the fact that the disc brake remains the industry standard.”

The C-type Continuation series is now available for purchase, retailing at a hefty £1.5 million, which is $2,689,394 AUD for us Aussies. Jaguar is even open to customising each build, but would you really want to alter this piece of history?

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