Jaguar C-Type: The Autobiography of XKC 051 (Great Cars)

Jaguar C-Type: The Autobiography of XKC 051 (Great Cars) by Book

Jaguar C-Type, The Autobiography of XKC051
Weight 2.5kg by Chas Parker & Philip Porter
Probably the most famous of the C Type Jaguars, XKC051 was one of three lightweight factory race cars and took victory at Le Mans in 1953 in the hands of Rolt and Hamilton. All three of these cars then passed to Ecurie Ecosse and our subject was registered LSF 420, racing extensively during the 1954 season. From 1955 there were a succession of private owners, young Bill Smith the first of these who had the car painted red and scored a surprise victory on the Dundrod TT. More owners and more colour changes followed. The car finding its way to America and used there for road and competition work. In the 1980s, it was reunited with the Hamilton family and has subsequently been restored to original works Le Mans specifications. The various owners and drivers all feature here and as usual for this excellent series of books, there is a fantastic selection of period images, some familiar, others not previously published.