In The Begining

Despite the relative competitive success of the Jaguar XK120, winning Silverstone production races two years running and running second for some time during the 1950 Le Mans.  The young, 48 year old proprietor and managing director, Mr. William Lyons, was still not satisfied that his Jaguars were being taken entirely seriously.  The race in 1950 proved to Lyons that a Jaguar Le Mans victory could well be attainable. The grueling 24 hour race was the most famous in Europe and had also received recognition across the Atlantic, in the New World of America.

Clearly, the requirement was for a car with the XK’s proven main units  -  engine, transmission and front suspension  -  in a more  aerodynamic, lighter frame.  Heynes, the chief engineer and Baily the chief designer chose a triangulated tubular frame with an exceptionally stiff scuttle which was further strengthened with the use of stressed aluminium sheet.  Rack and pinion steering replaced the XK120’s steering box whilst the front suspension remained largely unaltered.  Rearward, the frame ended just behind the driver, the live rear axle was secured by two pairs of trailing arms.  The bottom pair being anchored to a transverse torsion bar. 

The jewel in the crown, the superb XK twin overhead camshaft ‘six’ engine was placed at the  C-Type’s heart.  Slight modifications to increase the total available BHP to 200 included, an increase in compression ratio to 8.5 to 1, timing adjustments and development to improve gas flow.  A new cast, six branch exhaust manifold was developed to aid the latter.

The XK’s weakest link had always been its brakes.  The C-Type was provided with the latest self-adjusting Lockheed drum brakes at the front which were designed to avoid long pedal travel by automatically adjusting according to shoe wear.  Alloy rimmed, centre lock wire wheels reduced the un-sprung weight and cooled the brakes better that the XK’s steel wheels.

The appearance of the new Jaguars at Le Mans was a big surprise and the opposition was probably shaken when, even before practice, Peter Walker put in a lap of 104mph in the dark, beating the 1950 lap record.  Within hours of the 16.00hr start, the Jaguars were lying one-two-three and it began to look as if a Jaguar white-wash was on the cards.  Sadly, disaster struck as first one and then the second Jaguar retired with oil pressure failure both due to a vibration induced oil pipe fracture.  But would the same happen to the third car - luck held and secured victory for Jaguar and Peter Walker with an average speed of 93.49mph, finishing 67 miles in front of the second placed Talbot.

The impact of the win was far greater than anyone at Jaguar could have hoped for and congratulations poured in from all over the world, with the North Americans amongst the most enthusiastic.  There were two more appearances for the C-Type in 1951 with Stirling Moss winning the Tourist Trophy at Dunrod and two races at Goodwood.

Jaguar should also have won in 1952 but a rare mis-judgement by Jaguar provoked by ill-founded reports of astonishing speeds from a new Mercedes 300SL prompted the Coventry based team to hurriedly give the C-Types a ‘nose job’ and new tail sections, both designed to improve aerodynamics.  Sadly, this lead to difficulties with engine cooling and all three cars retired within one hour of the start of the race.

Fully Assembled Factory Built Cars

Witin every Nostalgia C Type is something unique and totally rewarding, forged from an understanding of what a true hand built sports car should be, combined with simple innovation and Jaguar inspired track and road success.  As always every owner is encouraged to take an active part in the final  specification of their Nostalgia C Type. We believe in building a life long relationship with both our customers and each of our cars.

As the C Type is & always was a serious race car,  interior trim options are limited, however we do build in as much comfort as is possible within the business like cockpit.

All Jaguar XK engine sizes are available to be installed to your Nostalgia C Type from 3.4 to 4.2 in a number of tuned stages using various carburretor options.

Warranties

The Design Specification

Chassis

Body

As the original C Type, the body is hand rolled and assembled onto the chassis by skilled craftsmen working to the highest standard. Both single door as the original or two door are available, we can also produce single door left hand drive.
The Nostalgia Cars C-Type body is also available in glass reinforced plastic, hand laid by experienced laminators.

C-Type Specification

Engine:                         Any Jaguar XK six cylinder unit with twin overhead camshaft  2.8ltr  – 4.2ltr

Transmission:              Jaguar 4 speed manual with or without overdrive. 5 speed manual or automatic.

Steering:                      Rack & pinion (non-power) with impact absorbing folding column.

Front Suspension:       Independent, Jaguar double wishbone with ‘built-in’ anti-dive characteristics supported by coil springs over adjustable shock absorbers.

Rear Suspension:        Jaguar Mk II live axle with ‘A’ frame and double radius arms supported by coil springs over adjustable shock absorbers.

Or                                Jaguar independent, single wishbone with coil springs and fully adjustable shock absorbers

Brakes:                       Servo assisted, dual circuit system operating Jaguar or ‘after market’ hydraulic calipers.

Chassis:                      18gws Steel tube, replica space frame, powder coated and fully paneled.

On The Road Prices From

       Net                 Vat                  Total

C-Type    XK 160/180bhp   Aluminium Body             £  53,000.00      £  8,925.00       £  59,925.00
 

C-Type    XK 160/180bhp   GRP Body                       £  40,800.00      £  7,140.00       £  47,940.00
 

Final cost depends on specification.

Click here to download the brochure & Price Lists.

For more information please contact us:   Details listed below

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