Motoring: A memorable week for Jaguar and the ten best supercars of all time
IT’S been a busy week for Jaguar Land Rover with production anniversaries, major awards, fresh expansion and record half year sales.
Now it’s the turn of some of its classic models to take centre stage, such as the unique 1966 Jaguar XJ13, conceived to continue the marque’s winning ways at the Le Mans 24 Hours but never raced – until now.
The car will finally make its debut at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, 50 years later. A victim of timing and changing regulations, the XJ13 never raced in period despite its incredible pace, so the car’s entry at Le Mans Classic this weekend marks the fitting conclusion to one of Jaguar’s greatest historic cars, on its 50th anniversary.
With a beautiful and now iconic lightweight aerodynamic body penned by Malcolm Sayer – the man behind Le Mans legends like the C-Type and D-Type – and a mid-mounted 5.0-litre V12 engine, the XJ13 had all the ingredients for Le Mans success. Indeed, it set an unofficial closed lap record at Silverstone in 1967 with David Hobbs at the wheel, which stood until the McLaren F1 beat it by just 6mph in 1999.
But in late 1967, with new Le Mans regulations on the way, which limited engine capacity to 3.0 litres, and a profitable XJ6 saloon to develop, Jaguar shelved the XJ13 project and moved the prototype into storage before it ever had the chance to race.
The next time it would turn a wheel would be in 1971 for a publicity shoot at MIRA. With legendary Jaguar test driver, Norman Dewis, at the wheel, the XJ13 was seriously damaged in a crash in which Dewis was thankfully unharmed. It was rebuilt, and made its public debut in 1973 during the British Grand Prix.
Now heading back to the circuit it was created for, the XJ13’s appearance at Le Mans Classic is just one part of a huge Jaguar presence this year, which also includes TV presenter Chris Harris racing the Jaguar Lightweight E-type continuation model (chassis number 15 and owned by Stratstone), a 100-car parade and a world record grid of 65 models competing across five classes in the Jaguar Classic Challenge. The XJ13 will be taking part in the parade, as some of the most legendary Jaguars ever roar around the iconic French circuit.
Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said: “Seeing the Jaguar XJ13 finally on track at Le Mans is going to be a real privilege for me and for everyone in the Jaguar Classic team. We have such an incredible history at this circuit, and it’s just a shame that the XJ13 never had the opportunity to write its own chapter there in period.
“No celebration of Jaguar’s heritage would be complete without the XJ13 and we’re incredibly excited about hearing that incredible mid-mounted V12 flat-out on the Mulsanne straight. Added to that, the record grid of pre-1966 Jaguars participating in the Jaguar Classic Challenge means it’s going to be a truly memorable part of a very special Jaguar presence at Le Mans Classic.”
The only Jaguar XK 140 FHC to race in the 24hs of Le Mans in 1956, and was erroneously black flagged, is also returning to the famous circuit.
This XK140 was privately entered into the race and driven by Roger Walshaw and Peter Bolton in 1956, but it was erroneously disqualified while running in 11th place with 206 laps.
The car, which was recently restored and race-prepared by leading restorer and Jaguar specialist Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC), is being taken back by its current owner Peter Neumark.
It will be competing in the Grid 2 class for cars manufactured between 1949 and 1956 and also in the Jaguar Classic Challenge.
“The opportunity to restore the only Jaguar XK 140 to race in the 24hs of Le Mans 60 years ago was compelling,” said Mr Neumark.
“In 1956 this private entry car astounded the crowds and was running 11th in the 21st hour of the race when it was cruelly and wrongfully black flagged.
“The offer of a free entry from the ACO for the following year’s race was a scant recompense for what would have been at least a top ten finish, but the car never returned until now.”
Nick Goldthorp, managing director of CMC, said: “The car has been completely restored from the chassis up, covering every nut and bolt, and saving as much of the original vehicle as possible due to its prominent racing pedigree.”
Bringing things up to date, the Jaguar XE has continued with its ever-growing trophy haul by being named Auto Express Compact Executive Car of the Year – its 47th major award.
Jeremy Hicks, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover UK, said: “To win for a second year in a row just proves what a special car the XE is. Since it last won, we’ve seen brand new rival models from our competitors, but the XE’s mix of desirable styling, incredibly low running costs and engaging handling has ensured it has come out on top again. It’s really disrupted the premium executive class, not only for awards wins but also for sales both in the UK and across the world.”
The XE’s stablemate, the new F-Pace crossover looks like following in its footsteps after being named both Car of the Year and Compact SUV of the Year in the same awards.
Mr Hicks added: “The response to F-Pace around the world has been absolutely sensational, both in terms of critical acclaim and sales, and for it to be named Car of the Year by the UK’s biggest-selling weekly motoring magazine is a real honour.
“The team behind F-Pace was set on creating a car that was more desirable, great to drive, and better value than anything else in its class – we didn’t want to just be a part of the performance SUV market, we wanted to own it. This award is the proof that we’ve succeeded, and we intend to carry this momentum into all our future products.”
The F-Pace uses Jaguar’s aluminium lightweight architecture to create a light, stiff body structure to enhance dynamic performance. With chassis technology developed for the F-Type sports car, prices for the F-Pace start from £35,020.
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One of the most sought-after early examples of the Jaguar E-Type – recently discovered in the depths of Scotland – is set to be auctioned with a reseve estimate of between £140,000 and £170,000.
The whereabouts of the 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster, chassis #62, one of the first 92 right-hand models produced, had been a mystery to classic car historians for decades. With most of the first 20 cars produced being allocated for competition use, the very first road cars, distinguished by their outside bonnet locks, were supplied in July 1961 to Jaguar dealerships to be used as demonstrators. These early cars are considered to be the ‘Holy Grail’ of E-Types, and arguably of all collector’s cars.
This car was dispatched to Scotland in July 1961 via Henleys of London for use as a demonstrator vehicle in the Edinburgh area. It was expressly forbidden that the car be sold until September of the same year, when the car was purchased by its first owner and registered on September 8, 1961 with its ‘3122 SR’ registration.
Passed from owner to owner over the years, all within the Edinburgh area, the car travelled north, deeper into Scotland. The car was acquired by its fifth and current owner in 2013, resident of the small parish of Deskford, Moray, who was unaware that he was in possession of this ‘Holy Grail’ of cars.
The car is now set to be sold by Silverstone Auctions at the Silverstone Classic on July 30-31.
Speaking ahead of the sale, Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said: “This is a really exciting discovery. Not only was this car believed to be lost, it is one of the most sought after E-Type examples attainable.
“Just like works of art and antiques, it’s the rarest and best quality items that attract collectors and investors. Chassis #62 is just that, and offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the thrill of ownership inherent in one of these special, rare, early cars.
“Not only that, early E-Type prices are soaring and are now achieving six-figure sums once reserved for Italian exotica. Quite simply it’s the right time to buy.”
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Ferrari’s legendary F40 has topped a poll to find out the best 10 supercars of all time.
The poll was carried out by the organisers of The Fast Car Festival – a major new show set to take place at Donington Park, between July 30-31.
The F40, built to commemorate the brand’s 40th anniversary in 1988, was the last model to be signed off by company founder Enzo Ferrari himself before his death. It was, at the time, the fastest car in the world, and was said to be the closest thing possible to an F1 car for the road. It was also a sensational looking machine, and still is.
The F40 claimed 18% of the total vote. The closest runners-up were the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren F1.
The top 10 supercars of all time were:
1. Ferrari F40
2. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
3. Ferrari La Ferrari
4. McLaren F1
5. Koenniggsegg
6. Porsche 911
7. Pagani Zonda
8. Ferrari Enzo
9. Audi R8
10. Jaguar XJ220
