By Bill Buys - Community Newspaper Group motoring editor
JAGUAR’s C-Type is considered by many followers of the snarling cat to be the sexiest puss of them all – and such an animal will be one of the highlight vehicles of Shannons Summer Classic Auction in Sydney on February 20.
Based on 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 C-Types re-created by noted marque restorer Gavin King, of Concours Sportscar Restoration in NSW.
The period-faithful C-Type re-creation has covered just 500 shakedown miles (800km) since its completion in 2003.
The tubular steel chassis replicates that of the ‘donor’ 1953 Le Mans car, and its 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, wherever possible.
The car runs a 3.4litre block bored and sleeved to 3.8litres for improved power and reliability and is fitted with genuine period sand-cast 40DCO side-draft Weber carburetters allowing it to produce about 225kW. And Shannons say its exhaust note is period and perfect.
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.
It runs on correct 60-spoke wire wheels with alloy rims and the Lucas electrical system has period touches as braided looms.
The interior hosts genuine C-Type instruments, switches and the steering wheel, while the aluminium seats and green leather upholstery were made using original patterns.
“This vehicle is indistinguishable from an original C-Type in all important aspects, except its price tag,” Shannons’ Christophe Boribon said.
“To build a similar vehicle today would cost more than AUD $250,000.”
Shannons expect the C-Type re-creation to sell at the February 20 auction in the $150,000 to $200,000 range.
“But we would not be surprised if it exceeded this estimate,” Boribon said.