Jaguar C-Type/D-Type/XKSS
C-Type:-
To meet the challenge offered by the Ferraris and the Cunninghams in sports car racing Jaguar came up with a light weight racing machine with a sleek aluminum body, that was powered by a tuned XK engine. It was originally called the XK120 C (C for Competition), but was commonly known as the C-Type.
The C-type used a stiff tubular steel structure to form the centre of the car, with a lightweight subframe carrying the wishbone front suspension and the 200 bhp twin carburettor engine. The live rear axle was suspended by torsion bars and braking was by big drums on the front and the rear. This car made its debut at the Le Mans in 1951. Though it won convincingly, the low-drag bodywork led to engine overheating which put the C-Types out of the race. But with the debut of disc brakes in 1953, Jaguar was back with its C-Types standing 1st, 2nd and 4th at the Le Mans.
D-Type:-
This car was readied for 1954. It had a stiff tubular structure like the C-Type but instead of the tubular frame it had a stressed-skin monocoque similar to aircraft design concepts. The familiar XK engine were mounted at the front, but with dry-sump lubrication to reduce height of the tall unit and improve oil feed to the bearings in race conditions.
Here are some specifications of the D-Type:-
Engine:-
3422cc, in line four.
Bore and Stroke:-
83 X 106mm.
Valve Gear:-
Twinchain-driven overhead camshafts.
Fuel System:-
Three twin-choke Weber carburettors.
Power:-
285 bhp at 5750 rpm.
Suspension:-
Wishbones and torsion bars (Front)
Live axle with trailing arms and torsion bars (Rear).
Wheels:-
6.50-16in alloy.
Brakes:-
Hydraulic disc brakes all round.
Top Speed:-
176 mph (283 kmph).
XKSS:-
The XKSS was intended to be the ultimate Jaguar road car and also a useful tool for American production sports car racing. But a major fire at the Jaguar's Conventry factory ended the career of this road-going derivative of the D-type.
It had a full windscreen, tiny bumpers, indicators and a rudimentary hood. 16 were built before the factory was destroyed by fire.
The C-Type and the D-Type Jaguars are one of the best-loved classic competition cars and they command enormous sums when they come up for sale.