Stunning C-Type Jaguar 'recreation' heads Shannons Sydney Summer Auction

SYDNEY – Dec 8, 2011: A stunning, period-faithful Jaguar C-Type ‘recreation’ that has covered just 500 shakedown miles since its completion in 2003 is one of the highlight vehicles of Shannons Summer Classic Auction in Sydney on February 20.

Based on exact measurements taken from an original 1953 C-Type that was in New Zealand for restoration some years ago, the one-owner vehicle is the second of seven recreated C-Types built by noted marque restorer Gavin King of Concours Sportscar Restoration in New South Wales.

The tubular steel chassis replicates that of the ‘donor’ 1953 Le Mans car and was fabricated by acknowledged C-Type expert David Brown of Invercargill, New Zealand, while the full alloy bodywork was shaped over bucks taken from the same car by equally renowned ‘Kiwi’ coachbuilder, Barney Tansley of nearby Queenstown.

The vehicle’s faithful homage to the famous factory C-Types that won the Le Mans 24-Hour race in 1951 and 1953 is underscored by its extensive use of original Jaguar, or period parts throughout, wherever possible.

For example, the car runs a 3.4-litre block bored and sleeved to 3.8-litres for improved power and reliability and is fitted with genuine period sand-cast 40DCO side-draft Weber carburettors (alone worth around $15,000). This enables it to produce approximately 300 horsepower (223kW and according to Shannons, its exhaust note is period and perfect.

As with the original C-Type, the engine drives through a Moss four-speed period transmission, with a correct gearbox-driven Plessey pump used to power-assist the Dunlop disc brakes. The wheels are correct 60-spoke wire wheels with alloy rims that have been purpose-built for the vehicle to replicate the original factory wheels, while the electrical system is entirely by Lucas and features such period touches as braided looms.

The interior hosts a range of genuine C-Type equipment, which includes all the instruments, switches and the steering wheel, while the aluminium seats and green leather upholstery were made using original patterns.

The only major item that is not completely original about the car is its aluminium fuel tank, which was made the exact same size as the original bladder tank employed by factory C-Types, which are not legal by today’s standards.

Because of its outstanding original appearance, the C-Type recreation was accepted to take part in the Historic demonstrations at the 2009 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.

“Jaguar C-Type replicas are rare in Australia and few so accurately recreate the original as this one,” said Shannons National Auction Manager, Christophe Boribon. “This vehicle is visually indistinguishable from an original C-Type in all important aspects, except its price tag.

“To build a similar vehicle today would cost more than AUD $250,000.”

Shannons expect the C-Type recreation to sell at the February 20 auction in the AUD $150,000-$200,000 range.

“However we would not be surprised if the price exceeded this estimate,” said Boribon.