Skip advert
Advertisement

Jaguar D-Type

Built between: 1955-1956, number sold: 87, cool cat factor: 5/5

Jaguar

For many enthusiasts, the D-Type is the most famous racing Jaguar of all-time. It sealed a hat-trick of Le Mans victories in 1957 and like the C-Type before it, was campaigned by the factory and sold to customers.

Built around an all-aluminium monocoque, it came in long and short nose bodystyles. The famous tailfin was a last-minute addition to improve high-speed stability, and the D-Type also featured advanced disc brakes from the outset, as well as Dunlop alloy wheels. The latter were stronger than the wire rims fitted to the earlier C-Type.

Other innovations included a synchromesh gearbox, improved cooling and, from 1956 onwards, Lucas-developed fuel injection. With 250bhp and a slippery shape, the D-Type was built for the long straights of Le Mans and gained a reputation for tricky handling on tighter tracks. Even today, this 54-year-old car is very fast. It instantly feels more of a racer than the C-Type, thanks to stronger brakes and livelier responses.

The long-nosed car pictured won the 1956 Reims 12 Hours enduro and finished sixth at Le Mans in the same year, after its experimental fuel injection caused a misfire. Now fitted with the carburettors it used at Reims, it’s a near priceless classic.

Only 87 D-Types were produced, and 16 of these were converted into road spec and became the XK-SS. But success on the track is what places the D-Type so high in our final ranking (see back page). The Jaguar factory withdrew from racing in 1956, but the car’s job had been done. It had established the firm’s racing pedigree and contributed to the look of the legendary E-Type. Some legacy...

Details

WHY: D-Type successor is A Le Mans legend, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,595
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £12,300
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025