The 1950’s were overwhelmingly successful years for Jaguar. The brand rode to numerous successes in international motorsport racing throughout the entire decade, dominating with the C and DType:

– 1949 one-two finish in Silverstone with the XK 120
– Six victories at Le Mans with the C and D-Type
– 1956 victory in the Monte Carlo Rally (Mark VII)
– 1963 and 1984 victory at the European Touring Car Championship

Jaguar developed a beautiful “special version” for Le Mans, the XK 120, and the XK 120 C (also known as the C-Type) for higher performance competition. This model won at Le Mans in 1951 and ‘53. Following production of 53 vehicles, the C-Type was succeeded in 1954 by the Jaguar D-Type. The D-Type clocked up outstanding wins at Le Mans between 1955 and 1957. 1957 saw victories in positions one to four and six.

Fitted with a fabric roof, bumpers and luggage rack, a few examples were also sold as the Jaguar XK-SS to American customers. A total of only 87 vehicles were produced.

Today, Jaguar concentrates exclusively on the production of “normal road vehicles”. A brief appearance was recorded in 2000 when Ford tried to establish the brand in Formula One. Jaguar Racing was taken over by Red Bull in 2004.