Jaguar C-Type (XK 120-C)

Historical significance of the model

Historical significance of the model: The Jaguar C-Type is still one of the most important racing cars of the early 1950s and probably the most important milestone in Jaguar motorsport. Specially designed for use in Le Mans, the first C-Type clinched the first overall victory for the British brand at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. In 1952, the C-Type was the first racing car to be fitted with the then revolutionary Dunlop disc brakes, which immediately enabled Stirling Moss to win the Reims Grand Prix. Another overall victory at Le Mans followed in 1953 with drivers Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton. Second and fourth place also went to C-Type cars. With its favourable aerodynamics, a lightweight tubular frame with aluminium bodywork and over 200 hp, it was clearly superior to its competitors. Of these only 53 originals built, 46 still exist today.

This motor car

This C-Type example is one of them and it is one of the 43 vehicles that were sold with a road approval. According to the available Jaguar Heritage Certificate, it was completed at the factory in Coventry on 12 August 1952 and delivered to the importer Max Hoffman in New York on 7 October. It was the fifth example to reach the USA. It was delivered in cream paintwork with green suede seats. The first owner was Commander John "Jack" Rutherford in Florida, who was one of the most ambitious private drivers on the US racing scene. The C-Type was probably only used by Rutherford in 1953 at the NASCAR Speed Week in Daytona Beach in a one-mile sprint race, which he won at a speed of 134.07 miles per hour (approx. 226 kph). Historic photos (see above) show Rutherford with starting number 11 and his victory was mentioned in the magazines "Car World" and "Car Life" at the time. Rutherford also used his Jaguar D-Type (successor to the C-Type), Porsche 356, Austin Healey Silverstone and Ferrari 375 MM for racing. Despite this fleet of significantly faster and "newer" racing cars, he kept the C-Type until 1960. 

As the second owner, David S. Burtner in Buffalo, New York, acquired the road-going race car and entered it in four SCCA races: In 1961, he competed at a track in Mansfield, Texas, on 3 September and at the SCCA Regional Muskogee in Oklahoma on 29 October, finishing first in his class in each. In 1962, Burtner again finished first in his class on 27 May at the SCCA National Stuttgart in Arkansas and tenth overall. He became also fourth in his class on 8 July at Lake Garnett Raceway in Kansas (starting number 78). This was followed on 9 September by his participation in the Road America 500-mile race (start number 34), where Burtner finished on place 15 overall and fourth in his class. The Jaguar, now ten years old, was no longer technologically up to date and had therefore been fitted with a Chrysler/Plymouth Valiant-Slant six-cylinder engine and Borg Warner gearbox as well as a GM Positration rear axle. A measure that was quite common for a racing sports car at the time. It can be assumed that the original Jaguar straight-six engine and matching gearbox were kept together with the car to enable a return to its original condition. The car and its original components were then sold in the mid-1960s to Ralph Steiger in Hamilton, Ohio, who kept the C-Type for around 20 years. He ensured that the authenticity of the car was preserved as it was only slightly overhauled it but not irreversibly modified. In 1986, the C-Type came to Europe to an owner (name known) in Germany. In 1988, he commissioned Peter Jaye Engineering in Wooton together with RS Panels in Nuneaton (both in England) to carry out a comprehensive restoration. 

The original engine and gearbox were reinstalled and the bodywork was revised. Jaye is a recognised C-Type specialist. His memories are recorded in the reference book "The Complete Register of Jaguar C-Type, D-Type and Lightweight E-Types" (published by Herridge & Sons). Therein he describes this C-Type as "a fine original car with matching engine and most factory parts, including bodywork, requiring only minor chassis repairs, mainly to reinstall the original engine and gearbox". As part of the restoration, the car was repainted in a stylish British Racing Green colour and the interior was fitted with green leather seats. In August 1990, the car was registered in the UK to the German owner, who used it at many events over the next twelve years. The C-Type was then sold back to the USA in 2002 to a collector (name known) in Connecticut, who kept the car until 2006. This was followed by three more collectors (all names known) in the USA before the rare racing sports car returned to Europe. In January 2015, it was acquired by the penultimate owner in the UK and was once again given a British registration. Almost three years later, it was sold to the current owner in October 2017 and the car remained in the UK. A special feature of this C-Type is the originality of the bodywork, which has been replaced on many other vehicles over the course of time. Generally speaking, there is a conflict of objectives with motorsport vehicles between the most original condition and at the same time the most favourable racing career. 

This is because the more often and harder a racing car was used to win, the more inevitable accidents and engine damage were, which jeopardised its later originality. This C-Type has a modest racing history with few entries and no serious accidents. Its bodywork even includes the original matching-numbers bonnet – a feature that is extremely rare due to its vulnerability in racing. For this very reason, there is hardly a second example that is still in such outstandingly well-preserved and original condition. Then as now, a Jaguar C-Type is characterised by its great driving characteristics: relatively easy and safe to drive, yet comfortable and reliable at the same time. With its tried-and-tested and durable six-cylinder in-line engine, it was (and still is) a perfect all-rounder among the racing sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. This is why C-Types were successfully entered at Le Mans and Goodwood, the Mille Miglia, the Monaco Grand Prix, Waktins Glen, Laguna Seca, Sebring and even the Carrera Panamericana. Due to the significant racing participation of C-Type models, this example is one of the best tickets for high-ranking historic competition events such as the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco, Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Goodwood and Mille Miglia. This Jaguar C-Type with complete history offers a rare opportunity to acquire a highly original and high-quality motorsport icon from Jaguar that will add significant value to any high-calibre racing car collection.