The Jaguar Leaper’s 21st Century C-Type Continuation, Proudly Reviving Its Victorious Racing Years

70 years after its first race to victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours, Jaguar Classic has brought to life a limited edition of its iconic model, the new C-type Continuation.

These iconic models are hand-built at Jaguar Classic Works in Coventry, and the first example made its debut at the prestigious Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace last September 3.

Jaguar Classic’s director Dan Pink said, “The C-type is one of the most iconic cars in Jaguar’s illustrious racing history, driven by some of the most admired drivers in history. The C-type Continuation keeps Malcolm Sayers’ iconic and advanced design alive thanks to the first application of 3D CAD drawings by Jaguar Classic, marrying design and motorsport heritage with the latest engineering tools.”

Through modern technology and engineering expertise, Jaguar Classic based the Continuation’s specifications on the 1953 ‘works’ C-types that dominated that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

As such, in creating the C-type Continuation, a deep-dive into the C-type’s history and heritage was required to inform the way in which it should be built, its specification and its racing prowess.

Before the physical development could begin, almost two years of data compilation were acquired and pieced together to build this iconic car in the 21st century.

Norman Dewis OBE, a former test driver and engineer for Jaguar Cars, also provided invaluable guidance on the build process.

Furthermore, the team also had access to an example C-type and photographs along with legendary Jaguar Cars designer, Malcolm Sayer’s notes for the sleek body, which finally resulted in a ‘Car Zero’.

The conclusion of all these constructed a 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model, the first time a Jaguar Classic Continuation whole vehicle was created in this way.

It began with the major elements of the body and overall structure to provide key visuals to the engineers and ensure everything matched up to the original information that was available.

By using the modern methodology and state-of-the-art tools that Jaguar Cars has in its arsenal today, it helped validate the authenticity and ingenuity of the original C-type.

Owing to that, the first C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022.

Each example will harbour a hand-built 3.4-litre DOHC in-line 6-cylinder engine with a fully refurbished triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors, producing 220 bhp at 5,800 rpm.

Said mill is then married to a 4-speed manual transmission with the period-specific Plessey hydraulic pump fitted to the gearbox that pumps hydraulic fluid into the brakes.

Besides that, complementing the 16-inch, 60-spoke wire wheels are the groundbreaking disc brakes that contributed to the record-breaking triumph at the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Moreover, Jaguar’s attention to detail extends to elements such as the brake fluid reservoir, which on the original cars featured brackets that were designed for application in another vehicle.

Even though they serve no purpose for the new C-Type, all Continuation cars will still retain this original anomaly nonetheless.

Similarly, the 1953 specification C-types featured a different Lucas fuse box cover than of the previous C-types from 1951 and 1952.

All new Continuation cars feature reconditioned original versions of the correct design along with the original Lucas rear-view mirrors.

Just one was available at the start of the process, but Jaguar Classic sourced this particular element to complement the three-quarter Brooklands race screen and Smiths clocks in the cockpit.

Speaking of which, the original-spec clocks and gauges fitted are an illustration of the hours of craftsmanship that go into creating a C-type Continuation.

Plus, the ignition switch on the new Continuations embodies this method as well, and the intricately reproduced rev counter that revs counter-clockwise also emphasises authenticity and originality.

For all new Continuations, materials for the interior are akin to the original, effortlessly blending old with new, ensuring authenticity while also providing a high quality and reliable finish.

Hardura trim is used for the cockpit, retrimmed to a new level that’s better than the original C-type, but still in silver to evoke the period item.

Furthermore, the Rexine finish on the dashboard and side panels of the Continuation cars is from the last roll of this material type, in which it portrays the same type of finish from 70 years ago.

The seats, upholstered by Bridge of WeirTM, are finished in a choice of eight leather hues and are complemented with racing harnesses fitted to a newly built component behind the rear bulkhead.

Also fitted is a Bluemel steering wheel that is true to the original with no roundel affixed to the centre. However, customers can specify the iconic Jaguar badging if they desire.

Notably, all new Continuations are FIA-approved and can partake in historic race championships, e.g., the Jaguar Classic Challenge, which races at Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone.

Additionally, to comply with regulations, the C-type Continuations are fitted with FIA-approved Harness Retention System and rollover protection, effectively integrated into the rear bulkhead.

Other FIA-required fitments include a fire extinguisher with engine and footwell extinguishers, neatly controlled by in-period additional toggle switches in the cockpit.

12 exterior colours are offered, e.g., Suede Green, Cream, Pastel Blue and British Racing Green. The meticulous paint process takes one week to complete using modern water-based paint.

Interestingly, to enhance the exterior to their own specification, optional door roundels finished in White or Old English White are also offered along with optional personalised Jaguar badging.

Overall, since its debut in 1951, the year it won Le Mans, the original C-type was a pioneering race car, and now the new hand-built C-Type Continuations is reliving that reputation proudly.