Following Leslie Johnson’s competitive outing at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Jaguar XK 120 S, Jaguar management approved the development of a new XK-based racing model, initially dubbed the XK 120 C and later known as the C-Type.

Starting with an all-new lightweight tubular space frame, Jaguar’s experimental department redesigned the XK’s rear suspension with additional positioning links and the 3.4-litre engine was upgraded with a new cylinder head, high-lift camshafts, racing pistons and an un-muffled dual exhaust system, combining to develop a formidable 200 horsepower.

The robust engineering was clothed in the beautiful aerodynamic coachwork penned by stylist, Malcolm Sayers, combining sensuous curves with traditional marque cues such as the classic elliptical grille.

Three factory C-Types were initially built for works team use, making their debut at the Circuit de le Sarthe, in Le Mans in France, in June 1951.

Two of the three cars were forced to retire early, but the c...