Vehicle Description
1954 Jaguar C-Type re-creation constructed by Hawker Racing in
Suffolk, UK. Built in the early 2010's, it lived in a prominent
collection on Long Island, New York.
Featuring aluminum bodywork finished in black over a steel tube
frame, the car is powered by a 3.4-liter Jaguar XK inline-six that
breathes through twin SU carburetors. Additional features include a
four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drum brakes, independent
front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, 16"" wire wheels,
side-pipe exhaust, and red leather upholstery over two-place
seating.
This C-Type re-creation is now offered with invoices from the last
two years and a New Jersey title describing it as a 1954 Jaguar.
Jaguar developed the aluminum-bodied, tube-frame C-Type as a
competition variant of the XK120 after the latter showed promise
racing in the hands of privateers. Approximately 50 examples of the
original C-Type were built, among them the 1951 and 1953 24 Hours
of Le Mans winners.
This car is said to be among a limited run of re-creations built
with hand-formed aluminum bodywork by Hawker Racing, which was
formed as an offshoot of vintage aircraft restoration outfit Hawker
Restorations.The body is finished in black with number 54 roundels
on the hood, sides, and tail section. A paint correction is said to
have been performed in 2022. Exterior details include faired-in
Lucas tri-bar headlights, leather hood-retention straps,
Brooklands-style windscreens behind a fixed full-width windshield,
dual side mirrors, a Monza-style fuel filler, and side-pipe exhaust
with dual outlets .Chrome wire wheels are secured by two-eared
knock-offs and are wrapped in 6.00H16 Avon Turbospeed Mk 4 tires.
Stopping is handled by drum brakes at each corner, while steering
is via rack and pinion. The brake fluid reservoir was replaced in
2022, at which time the fluid was flushed.The right-hand-drive
cockpit houses a pair of fixed-back bucket seats trimmed in red
leather, while silver upholstery covers the center tunnel.
Additional features include a door-pull strap wrapped in red
leather, a polished shift knob, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, and
a passenger-side grab handle.The three-spoke steering wheel sits
ahead of Smiths instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a
reverse-sweep tachometer, and gauges monitoring amperage, fuel
level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit
odometer shows 360 miles.The 3.4-liter XK inline-six features
dual-overhead camshafts, twin SU carburetors, a cold-air intake
box, twin Lucas coils, and three-into-one exhaust headers. Service
in 2022 included cleaning of the carburetors, repairs to the
radiator, flushing of the fuel system, and fluid changes.
I was fortunate enough to speak with someone who has substantial
knowledge of these cars and has provided the following
information.
The body was built by Clive Smart at Shapecraft in North Hampton
Uk. Clive has made over 250 bodies in his career and built the
bodies for Nick and David Gilmore of Pink Floyd as well.
The car is equipped with the correct torsion bar suspension. This
is a very important detail. Very few recreations have torsion bar
suspension.
The exhaust manifolds are correct, cast manifold. They are not from
any other production car.
The brackets holding on the dual coils are very unusual to see but
absolutely correct and accurate.
The rear suspension is correct, Blade type lower control arm with
upper, Side link and pan hard rod.
The front suspension is Mark 7 upper control arms as original with
recreation, lower control, arms, torsion blocks and steering
knuckles.
The car is fitted with a correct steering rack. (To buy a
replacement rack is about $7,000 ).
The chassis comes from Classic Chassis Services in the UK who is a
very reputable supplier.
