VIN: the ex-Jean-Marie Brussin Jaguar D-type chassis XKD 513
History of chassis XKD 513
Chassis XKD 513 was one of 71 D-types originally built.
Constructed in 1955 and painted French Racing Blue, it was supplied by the Parisian Jaguar dealer, Charles Delecroix, to Henri Peignaux, a prominent motor trader and Jaguar specialist from Lyon.
Issued with the Rhone license plate, 6478 AT 69, Peignaux kept the car for a while before selling it to Jean-Marie Brussin.
Brussin was a manufacturer of industrial diamonds and also from Lyon. He purchased XKD 513 to contest the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1957. To that end, the car was sent back to the Jaguar factory for race preparation. Upon completion, Norman Dewis tested XKD 513 car at MIRA, after which it was dispatched to France for the big event.
XKD 513 ran at Le Mans under an Equipe Los Amigos entry and Brussin was co-driven by Jean Lucas.
In an unprecedented clean sweep, privateer D-types finished first through fourth. Brussin and Lucas placed an impressive third overall behind the Ecurie Ecosse cars that took first and second.
Brussin also entered XKD 513 for Le Mans in 1958 and, once again, had his car race-prepared by the factory. As per the new regulations, a three-litre engine was installed.
This time, Brussin was co-driven by Andre Guelfi and the Jaguar ran under a Henri Peignaux entry.
Unfortunately, the race ended in disaster.
Shortly before 11pm, Brussin crashed in atrocious weather. Travelling through the notoriously fast section at Tertre Rouge, he collided with Bruce Kessler’s NART Ferrari 250 TR.
Brussin was thrown from his Jaguar and died instantly while Kessler survived with severe burns.
The damaged remains of XKD 513 sat in storage until 1960 when they were acquired by Giovanni Michelotti who had recently opened his own design studio.
Michelotti fabricated an elegant Coupe body for the D-type and, in this configuration, the now light blue metallic car was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1963.
Later that decade, XKD 513 was purchased by Richard Carter of Georgia and exported to the USA.
In the early 1970s, it returned to the UK where the Michelotti body was removed and mounted onto a modified E-type chassis. XKD 513 was then put back to D-type configuration by Lynx Motors.
Notable History
French Racing Blue
Supplied via Charles Delecroix, Paris to Henri Peignaux, Lyon
Registered 6478 AT 69
Later sold to Jean-Marie Brussin, Lyon
Returned to the factory to be prepared for Le Mans
Equipe Los Amigos entry
22-23/06/1957 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (J. Lucas / J.M. Brussin) 3rd oa, 3rd S5.0 class (#17)
Returned to the factory to be prepared for Le Mans (3-litre engine fitted)
Henri Peignaux entry
21-22/06/1958 WSC Le Mans 24 Hours (J.M. Brussin / A. Guelfi) DNF (#11)
Damaged in Brussin’s fatal accident at Le Mans
1960 remains sold to Giovanni Michelotti, Turin
Re-bodied as a Coupe and painted Light Metallic Blue
03/1963 Geneva Salon
Later sold to Richard Carter, Georgia
Early 1970s returned to the UK and restored by Lynx Motors to original D-type configuration
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Michelotti Design
