Beschreibung:

1956 JAGUAR D-TYPE SPORTS RACING CAR Chassis No. XKD 537 Engine No. E2047-9 British Racing Green with brown leather upholstery Engine: six-cylinder, twin overhead camshaft, 3,444cc, 275bhp at 6,000rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Brakes: four wheel disc; Suspension: independent front suspension by torsion bars and unequal length wishbones, rear, live axle suspended on trailing links and one-piece torsion bar. Right hand drive. Jaguar's magnificent legend was built at Le Mans during the 1950s where their initial C-type specialised roadsters first won the 24 Hour Grand Prix d'Endurance race in both 1951 and 1953. For 1954 a far more sophisticated sports racing car was developed and became known as the D-type. Entered as factory team cars, the first D-types were only narrowly beaten by a much larger engined (4,954cc) Ferrari V12 at Le Mans in 1954. The winning speed average at Le Mans was 105.1 mph but Jaguar quickly got their revenge a few weeks later when the D-types came in first and second at the 12 Hours of Rheims at an average speed of 104.55 mph. In the 1955 Le Mans race the works team won the 24 Hours classic and this was repeated twice more when entered by the private Ecurie Ecosse team from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1956-57. This D-type hat-trick of GP d'Endurance victories against the strongest opposition sealed the Jaguar marque's charismatic image, and these handsome machines have been acknowledged ever since as one of the greatest classic sports racing cars. Whilst the Le Mans race attracts the greatest attention the D-type was highly successful both as a works entry, and in the hands of private owners in innumerable races throughout the world. In addition to its outstanding competition record and capabilities, the D-type can also be used as a remarkably docile yet extremely exhilarating road car. Perhaps this is why these cars continue to be so sought after today. In the eyes of many, the sleek lines and beautiful proportion of the D-type make it the best looking sports racing car of the post-war period. Although developed from the successful Jaguar C-type it was a major progression of design from both a mechancical and technical standpoint. Under the direction of the superb engineer, William Heynes and his mechanical team an almost entirely new car evolved. The most significant feature retained from the victorious 1953 "Lightweight" C-type Jaguars was of course the wonderfully reliable six-cylinder twin overhead camshaft production XK engine. Heynes continued his development of this engine and his experience gained from the last works C-types ensured the continued use of the triple Weber twin choke carburetors. With new competition valve timing, revised cylinder head and other modification some further 30 bhp was attained. At the same time the engine was importantly fitted with a dry-sump lubrication system which ensured an abundant supply of oil at the right temperature without surge or air bubbles. The water cooling system was much improved with a Marston aircraft-style alloy radiator and revised water routing, like the C-type no fan was employed and efficient cooling was vital. The Borg & Beck triple plate clutch and flywheel assembly was revised and greatly assisted acceleration while providing the strength required for long distance events. The gearbox was also improved and strengthened and significantly was Jaguar's first all-synchromesh gearbox. The suspension was similar to that of its predecessor, yet again was much updated and improved. The superior disc brakes were again those supplied by Dunlop on the successful 1953 works cars with improved efficiency. Undoubtedly the most innovative feature of the D-type was the revolutionary use of a central monocoque. Under the design direction of Malcolm Sayer, who strongly utlized his aircraft background the center of the car was built on a stressed skin principle. Built with light aluminum in a series of bulkheads it produced a very lightweight structure wi