Classic Car of the Week: 1952 Jaguar C-Type ‘XKC 011’

The Jaguar C-Type ‘XKC 011’ was built as a new specialist project for the Jaguar Works racing team in 1952. After its first outing at Silverstone, driven by pre-war racing star Peter Walker, the bodywork was elongated at the nose and the tail to make the car more aerodynamic for the Le Mans 24-Hour race, where it was co-driven by Peter Walker and none other than racing legend Sir Stirling Moss. After failing to finish at Le Mans, the car reverted back to its original, beautiful body style before entering into the Goodwood 9-Hours race where it placed a respectable 5th.

In 1953, this unique C-Type was piloted again by Moss in the gruelling 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race around Italy and by Tommy Wisdom in the Sicilian Targa Florio. Climbing the ranks over the years, the car’s time with the Jaguar Works team culminated with Moss finishing 2nd in heat and 4th overall in the final of the 1953 British Empire Trophy race at Douglas on the Isle of Man.

The following year the car was loaned to Belgian racing outfit Ecurie Francorchamps before being sold. Following its sale, the car became one of the best-known racing C-Types on the British Club-racing scene before it made its last move to a private owner in 1963, where it’s been maintained in running order ever since.

This car will be offered at auction by Bonhams at the Monaco Sale on May 13 2016, to coincide with the Monaco Grand Prix Historique. Click here for more information.

Guide Price: £5,000,000