One to Buy: rare road use from new 1952 Jaguar C-type
Following a series of successful outings with semi-works XK120s in more-or-less standard trim (a programme that most notably yielded victories at the 1950 Dundrod Tourist Trophy and Alpine Rally and nearly produced an unexpected win at Le Mans), Jaguar created the purpose-built C-type racer.
Based around a new lightweight chassis draped with an air-piercing aluminium body, the C-type made its competition debut at the 1951 Le Mans 24 Hours and went on to prove itself as arguably the best off-the-shelf racing car available during the next two-and-a-half seasons.
Fast enough to win at Le Mans (which it did in 1951 and ‘53), the C-type was also sufficiently rugged to contest the kind of gruelling week-long rallies that were popular throughout the 1950s.
Considering this world-beating level of performance and a complete lack of proper weather gear, the majority of the 53 C-types built by Jaguar between 1951 and ‘53 were pressed into competition use.
However, a handful saw service (in generally warmer climates) as the ultimate road cars of their day.
Currently on sale with DK Engineering is just such a car: the United States domiciled chassis 028.
Configured in the handsome and rarely seen colour combination of Silver with Black upholstery, chassis 028 was originally delivered via the Charles Hornburg dealership in Los Angeles during November 1952 and escaped the kind of hard competition life that many C-types were subject to. Accordingly, it remains an extremely correct, highly original and most authentic example of this two-time Le Mans-winning model from the golden age of sports car racing.
Reprinted below is DK Engineering’s description:
Matching Numbers
Remarkably Original Example
Long-term Ownership
This is XKC 028 and when new, was dispatched to Jaguar distributors Charles Hornburg in Los Angeles on 24th November 1952. Its early life primarily saw use as a road car; the merit of which shines through today as this example has remained unusually original. It did race, but not until 1981 in the hands of Joe Egle, a former Jaguar distributor in Kansas City, Missouri.
After fitting seatbelts, as they were not a safety requirement for motorcars in period, 028 made its first public appearance at the Elkhart Lake Vintage Races and Concours. Whilst the car didn’t race, it did win first place in the concours.
Its second outing at Road Atlanta however saw much greater success. Egle and his daughters entered the car at the Vintage Races and Concours run by the SVRA. Whilst they had not planned to race, they found they couldn’t enter the concours without doing so. In a borrowed race suit and helmet, Joe Egle dusted off his racing-skills and entered the car which had sat unused for the best part of fifteen years. He lapped every car on the grid except Bob O’Brien’s XK120 and won the race.
In 1988, the C-type passed to Bob Baker and later, in 1995, to Arizona-based cardiologist Dr. Phillippe Reyens who would keep the car for 20 years. All these drivers used it in US historic racing events but without accident and without losing any significant original parts.
'XKC 028 is a particularly complete and correct C type, indeed I cannot think of a more original example. The condition is excellent and I believe it has had the most sensitive of restorations. I would particularly recommend it as a chance to see just how these cars looked on day one. Perhaps rather counter-intuitively, what is good about XKC 028 is that it actually did not race in period. This has saved it from the typical damage and crude modification that some cars suffered in racing at the time they were at their lowest value. It is absolutely a car to cherish and I would love to own it.'- Chris Keith-Lucas, CKL Developments
Most recently this example has found residence in the United States once more, and is available to view by appointment only.
