Jaguar Brings Back the C-Type for its 70th Anniversary

8 Classic Continuation examples of the legendary C-Type will be built to celebrate Jaguar’s 70^th Anniversary.

As far as iconic British racing cars go, the Jaguar C-Type is one of the granddaddies. For a history briefing, here’s our Editor In Chief, Doug Stokes:

The C-Type Jaguar was one of the most beautiful, and successful, racing cars ever. It was also one of the first to use a new technology derived from aircraft practice: disc brakes. 

For years, previous pure racing cars like Ferraris and Maseratis had hewn to the conventional drum-type brake configuration and increasing stopping power by building ever-larger, ever wider and more elaborate drum brakes that were "better" but that were still prone to being dodgy in wet conditions and well-nigh impossible to get through long 12 and 24-hour races without suffering brake fade, and many times complete failure.  

Jaguar's strong, reliable, double overhead cam inline 6 engine, aerodynamic (and quite fetching) coachwork, and Dunlop disc brakes on the sleek C-Type were a winning combination. For its first time out at Le Mans in 1951, the great Stirling Moss led the British team from Coventry to victory.  

Now, you might have a chance to get a continuation model. Jaguar will build these examples by hand in Coventry, England for customers in 2022. The accuracy of these recreations will be incredibly detailed. Under the hood, a 220hp 3.4-liter inline-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburetors restores the roar of the past, and disc brakes make a return.

The only problem? Jaguar is only making 8 of them, and there’s no word on the price yet, but they won’t be cheap.

However, if you want to dream about purchasing one of these Continuation Classics, Jaguar has an online configurator for you to play around with.

Continuation models are a fantastic option for folks who want to experience the glory of the past, without paying the ridiculous price for originals.