VIN: the M. Exel Glans Jaguar C-type chassis XKC 016
History of chassis XKC 016
Chassis XKC 016 was built on August 20th 1952. It was dispatched to France on 18th December and delivered to the Parisian Jaguar distributor, Charles Delecroix.
Delecroix in turn supplied it to Henri Peignaux, a prominent motor trader and Jaguar specialist from Lyon.
The pale blue over red C-type was sold to Lyon resident, M. Exel Glans, and registered 2731 AC 69.
Exel Glans entered 016 for his friend, Luc Descollanges, to drive on the Rallye Soleil-Cannes held from March 29th to April 2nd. Descollanges was co-driven by Pierre Ugnon, but the Jaguar failed to finish owing to a broken rear trailing arm.
It next appeared on April 12th at the Coupes de Vitesse, a 20 lap race at Montlhery where Descollanges finished fourth and posted fastest lap.
016 was then entered for Descollanges and Ugnon to contest the Mille Miglia.
Unfortunately, not long into the race, Descollanges lost control at a poorly marked level crossing in Fossanova San Marco near Ferrara. The Jaguar hit a kerb, barrel rolled into a field and both occupants were thrown from the cockpit.
Pierre Ugnon died in hospital later that morning. Luc Descollanges was seriously injured, but eventually recovered.
The damaged remains were sold back to Henri Peignaux who stripped it of salvageable parts like the engine and gearbox. The bare chassis then languished in Peignaux’s yard for many years.
In the early 1970s, it was sold via M. Chemin to Parisian Jaguar collector, Philippe Renault, who reputedly acquired an XK SS at the same time.
Renault preserved the damaged chassis until 1985 when he had it rebuilt by John Harper in the UK.
Notable History
Blue / Red
Sold to M. Exel Glans, Lyon
Registered 2731 AC 69
29/03/1953 IND Rallye Soleil-Cannes (L. Descollanges / P. Ugnon) DNF (#558)
12/04/1953 IND Coupes de Vitesse, Montlhery (L. Descollanges) 4th oa, 4th S2.0+ class (#11)
26/04/1953 WSC Mille Miglia (L. Descollanges / P. Ugnon) DNF (#601)
Dismantled after Pierre Ugnon’s fatal accident at the Mille Miglia
Chassis later reputedly sold via M. Chemin to Philippe Renault, Paris
1985 restored by John Harper
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
