Jaguar’s classics division has announced that it will produce eight more of the curvaceous C-Type, originally produced from 1951 to 1953.
The follow-up cars, which will converge on a special track day in 2022 to celebrate 70 years since their original release, will be the fourth of its kind for the Coventry, England-based company. Jaguar started developing Jaguar Lightweight E-Type and Jaguar XKSS follow-up cars as early as 2014; construction started in 2018 D-Type continued.
Jaguar is far from the only company cashing in on the continued business model, awarding uber-expensive, hyper-restricted new cars to affluent fans of the brand. In 2018 Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc announced that it would make 19 new iterations of its classic DB4 Zagato GT from the 1960s and 25 continuations thereof DB5s famous for Goldfinger. In 2019, Porsche brought back a single 993 – some would say “continued it” – to aid in the launch of a new line of Porsche 911 Turbos. The original 993 line was discontinued in 1998.
The iconic Jaguar C-type won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1951 and 1953.
Source: Jaguar
The (re) birth of the legend
Simply put, a follow-on car is a vehicle that is out of production and then re-produced by the original car manufacturer, usually in extremely stingy quantities. Follow-up cars are not restorations or replicas; they are newly built according to the original standards and engineering plan. (Some, however, contain modern components.) As for numbering – the reality key when it comes to valuing such thin machines – each C-type continuation gets an all-new chassis number and unique characters to show it was built in 2021, rather than following the vintage order.
The continuation’s success as a business model remains unchallenged, although Jaguar and Aston Martin both consistently refuse to specify sales or profit margins. At the time of the D-Type’s launch, Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic’s president, said that the continuations are not hugely lucrative, but “will bring the company money”.
Eight C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a race-inspired owners party event in 2022.
Source: Jaguar
The fully authentic C-Type with disc brakes is built by Jaguar Classic experts at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works factory in Coventry, England.
Source: Jaguar
Virtually every sequel series offered by Aston Martin and Jaguar is sold out before the official announcement, even if the price can range from the top six figures to over $ 2 million.
The consensus among collectors of the originals seems to be that sequels do not tarnish their value in one way or another. Jaguar has built a reputation for making meticulous, exact continuations in extremely low batches, preserving the value of the originals. (Of the 53 Jaguar C-type sports cars built in the 1950s, 43 were sold to private owners.)
With a new online configurator, potential customers and enthusiasts can virtually specify their perfect C-type.
Source: Jaguar
“There was a lot of concern when we made the first lightweight E-Type [in 2014]—That it could affect values - but happened the other way round, ” Hannig said. “Suddenly people were talking about these cars. It promoted the car in itself. It allows us to communicate about the past in a different way and to show what we have as heritage. “
A strong track record
Originally produced between 1951 and 1953, the C-Type earned fame for its cartoon-like bodywork designed by artist Malcolm Sayer. The car won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of seven outright victories for Jaguar in that series. The vehicle featured groundbreaking, innovative disc brake technology in a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop. In 1952 the famous racer Stirling Moss won the Grand Prix of Reims in France with the same system. The C-type won the Le Mans 24 hours again in 1953.
The Jaguar C-Type with number 18 of Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953.
Source: JDHT
Each copy of an upcoming C-Type echoes the specifications of the 1953 Le Mans-winning car, including a 220 horsepower 3.4-liter straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors and disc brakes. Additional options include an FIA-approved harness-style seat belt, as the C-type continuations are eligible for – and expected on – historic race and track days.
The best news yet: According to a Jaguar spokesperson, there are some C-Type continuations for sale. (They usually sell out before their public announcement.) An online configuration tool allows potential buyers to compare color and trim options from 12 body colors and eight available interior colors, and apply optional race lapels and steering wheel badges and hood badges. Prices are expected to start around $ 1.3 million.
Jaguar’s C-type racing team set for the start of the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Stirling Moss at number 17. Moss would finish second with Peter Walker.
Source: JDHT