2005 Le Mans D-Type 3.4-Litre Replica, Registration no. A636 XTL Chassis no. SABTVRO3425221537

Odometer reading: 60,146
MOT: 11/11/2022

*Six-year build
*Completed in 2005
*Two owners

"This 190mph technical masterpiece, designed, built and prepared totally within Jaguar, was to achieve a hat-trick of spectacular Le Mans victories in the 1950s." - Paul Skilleter, Jaguar: The Sporting Heritage.
The Jaguar C-Type had won the prestigious Le Mans 24-Hour Race twice (in 1951 and 1953) and was still competitive when Chief Engineer Bill Heynes and his team set about designing its successor. Moving the game on, Heynes abandoned the C-Type's tubular spaceframe chassis, adopting instead an aluminium monocoque body tub to which the front sub-frame carrying the suspension and the 3.4-litre six-cylinder XK engine was welded. As ever, victory at Le Mans was Jaguar's first priority and so a great deal of attention was paid to getting the aerodynamics right. Aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer duly came up with an efficient, wind-cheating shape that enabled the D-Type to outrun the opposition despite having a deficit of over 100 horsepower on occasions. In so doing he also created one of the most beautiful racing sports cars ever made. As well as building cars for the works team, Jaguar also undertook a limited production run for sale to privateers and between 1954 and 1957 some 87 in total of all variants were produced at Jaguar's Coventry factory.
Said to drive amazingly well, this D-Type replica has had two owners and comes with invoices and photographs of its six-year build, which was completed in 2005. The car has been ceramic coated and the carburettors have been balanced recently ready for MoT (now valid until November 2022). Offered with a V5C document.

Vendor Score Total: 75 /100

Bidders should note that the automated 100-point Seller's Assessment is provided by each Seller at the point of consignment using the guidelines below, and is not provided, assessed or verified by Bonhams MPH. Accordingly Customers (Bidders) are on notice that each vehicle is offered "as is / as seen" subject to the Conditions of Sale for the auction, and Customers (Bidders) are strongly recommended to view the Lot(s) being offered, before bidding, in order to satisfy themselves as to their condition; Bonhams MPH will not entertain disputes over Sellers' Assessments.

Key for sellers' assessments:
1/5 POOR. A project vehicle | Requires urgent attention | Damaged | Parts missing
2/5 AVERAGE. Useable condition | Requires some attention | Light damage
3/5 GOOD. Drive away | Presents well | Good history file | Drives well
4/5 VERY GOOD. Well restored | Running and driving with no noticeable faults | Sound throughout
5/5 EXCELLENT. Concours condition | Beautifully presented | Driving very well

EXTERIOR TOTAL: 18 /25
Body Work: 4
Paint: 3
Glass: 4
Chrome/Plastics/Trim: 3
Wheels/Tyres: 4

RUNNING GEAR TOTAL: 16 /20
Gearbox/Clutch: 4
Axles: 4
Suspension: 4
Brakes: 4

INTERIOR TOTAL: 14 /20
Seats: 3
Dashboard/Door cards/Carpets: 3
Headlining: 5
Trim: 3

ELECTRICAL TOTAL: 8 /10
Main components: 4
Ancillary components: 4

ENGINE TOTAL: 16 /20
Starting: 4
Running: 4
Under Bonnet: 4
Mechanical components: 4

Car History File: 3