1965 Jaguar 'C-Type' Replica by Proteus (3.5-Litre)

The Jaguar C-Type's (correctly the XK120C) astonishing debut victory in the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour Race and its follow-up win in 1953, established Jaguar's first purpose-built racing sports car as one of the all-time great competition automobiles. Jaguar built only 54 C-Types and it is worth noting that the first three Grand Prix World Champions - Guiseppe Farina, Alberto Ascari and Juan-Manuel Fangio - all bought them as road cars and it's not hard to understand why, as at the time of its introduction, the C-Type represented the state-of-the-art in racing car engineering and thus was one of the most advanced road vehicles in the world.

Those multiple Le Mans wins in the 1950s, as well as numerous victories in the other great classic endurance events, coupled with the superb driving qualities that made it so attractive to three of the greatest drivers in history, have ensured a continuing healthy demand for replicas of Jaguar's rare and exotic sports-racer. An acknowledged master in this highly specialised field is Proteus Sports & Racing Cars Ltd, originally of Silchester, Berkshire, which since its foundation in 1985, has established an unrivalled reputation for building some of the finest Jaguar C-Type recreations available, ultimately focusing entirely on the production of this vehicle.

Built around frame number CC2121, an earlier Proteus C-Type replica chassis, with a lightweight all-aluminium single door 'Le Mans' body, this fabulous example is registered with the DVLA as a 1965 Jaguar, but the build was actually started some 20 years ago. Along with the 4-speed gearbox with overdrive, live rear axle, 16” wire wheels and disc brakes on each corner, the engine, we understand is rather special. The 3.5-litre XK engine, stamped with the numbers 'C7896 C2', is believed to be one of a handful of racing engines built by Jaguar in period.

Under the exacting standards set by Hugh Taylor, its previous owner, the car has authentic exterior trim and lighting, a properly nested side exhaust, clear headlight covers and correctly painted wire wheels. The neatly clustered period instruments sit behind a period-correct wooden steering wheel. Under the 'CMC of Bridgnorth' custom built bonnet, complete with authentic Le Mans 1953 scoop, the engine features prominently with a handmade aluminium airbox, polished cam covers and tubular exhaust manifolds.

The history file contains some £40,000 worth of detailed invoices from Legends Racing of Cheltenham to Mr Taylor. More recent bills dating from 2022 evidence a thorough going over with fuel and brake lines checked along with a suspension overhaul, the Webers tuned and new Blockley tyres fitted.

With an odometer reading of 898 miles at the time of cataloguing, the attention to detail such as the discoloured odometer digits and the hand finished aluminium panels in the cockpit sets this car apart as does its provenance.