Jaguar reveals new C-Type Continuation cars

Jaguar Classic has announced a new and exclusive ’70-Edition’ version of their C-Type Continuation car, styled in honour of the original C-Type’s achievements 70 years ago and offered in two different finishes.

For the 1953 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jaguar entered four new C-Type Works racers, backing up from their victory with an earlier iteration of the car in 1951. The new cars’ slippery, race-ready body, lightweight chassis, XK120-based engine and running gear were all familiar, but what was new for ’53 was the incorporation of disc brakes all round, which proved pivotal in the Works C-Types not only completing the 24 Hour, but finishing in first, second, fourth and ninth. 

“With Jaguar pioneering disc-brake technology seventy years ago, the C-type is an historically significant car,” said Matthew Bailey of Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

That 1953 win saw the pairing of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton cover over 2,500 miles at an average speed of 105.85mph, breaking the previous Le Mans race record and in the process becoming the first winners with an average speed over 100mph.

In honour of this success, the C-Type Continuation 70-Edition will be offered in two forms, each featuring silver-enamelled badging and painted roundels with ‘70’ numbers outside, plus special 70-Edition stitching and embroidery inside.

The first of the two features a one-off colour of Verbier Silver with a Cranberry Red leather interior, inspired by the C-type’s Platinum Anniversary. The second is a tribute to the 1953 Le Mans winner, finished in the Works Team colours of British Racing Green with a suede green leather interior.

Each 70-Edition will also include a bespoke key housing and dashboard plaque crafted by British jewellers, Deakin & Francis.

“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 added.

Priced at £1.5 million (AU$2.6 million approx.), each C-Type Continuation 70-Edition is handbuilt to the same specification as the 1953 Works C-Types. Each unit requires around 3,000 hours of attention from the specialty team at Jaguar Classic Works in the UK.