1967 Jaguar D-Type Evocation

The triple Le Mans winning Jaguar D-type will need little introduction. Following on from the C-type's victories in 1951 and 1953, the D-type, with its then state of the art chassis encompassing a central monocoque section, improved rear suspension and a more powerful XK engine, handsomely won the Vingt Quatre Heures du Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957. Among the most desirable of collectors' cars worldwide today even the "customer" cars - let alone the factory works cars - nowadays fetch millions and for most of us therefore the only alternative is to acquire or commission a replica. Today, given that there is no shortage of poorly turned out amateur built copies of the original D-types (many with doubtful papers), Silverstone Auctions are particularly pleased to offer a rarity of impeccable provenance. This brand new motor car with only 600 miles was completed on the instructions of the previous owner - who has now purchased a racing lightweight E -type - and was constructed to special order by the respected Revival Motorsport/Tunnicliffe Engineering company to the identical specification as their renowned 2003 race cars but commissioned for more refined fast road/track day use. It is considered that only little adaption would be needed to convert to full race spec if one so desired. The chassis is an Adrian Reynard designed powder coated multi tubular space frame carrying a composite and Kevlar fire retardant lightweight shell. The famous Jaguar XK straight six twin overhead camshaft engine, developed in this case by the famous Jaguar racing engine guru Rob Beere, produces some 285bhp even without the racier Webers fitted to competition cars. This fabulous unit is mated to a bomb proof Tremec 5-speed close ratio gearbox and ultimately to all independent rear suspension with Salisbury/Jaguar LSD rear axle and road friendly 3.54:1 ratio. This faithful reconstruction by Tunnicliffe Engineering for Revival Motorsport of the world famous Le Mans winning D-Type is the racing precursor to the iconic E-Type. This fine new motorcar is a unique, factory built road version of a short series of full race cars which were manufactured to the most exacting standards in 2003.

Excellently engineered and developed, PLB 789E is also tremendously strong and offered in road-ready guise. Its UK V5C shows it to have been built on the basis of a 1967 donor and is described as "Jaguar Sports. Historic 4.2". A non age-related registration number can be arranged by separate negotiation with the Vendor.

The owner states: "I have owned a number of C-type and D-type replicas over the years and, whilst I have loved them all, I am just incredibly impressed with this particular car. It is as exciting on the road as you might expect from its specification, tremendous urge in every gear (and the engine yet to be fully run in) and the most wonderful exhaust noise at higher revs. The pure race versions in 2003 claimed a top speed approaching 190 mph and 0 - 60 in 4.5 secs. This more sane version will not be very far off. Gear ratios are just right and fall to hand easily and, amazingly, there is no sign of the usual rattles and shakes (no roll either for that matter!). Obviously the car has tremendous presence - and that's even without the engine running or the car moving. Sadly I have not had time to rally or "track day" the car but I hope someone will have that pleasure soon."

Don't hesitate to own and enjoy such a motor car.