Vehicle Description
1993 Jaguar XJ220C TWR Works Le Mans GT Class Winner
In 1953, Jaguar scored their second Le Mans win with the XK120C so
it was appropriate that 40 years on they should return with the
XJ220C.
In January 1993, the Auto Sports International Show at the
Birmingham NEC saw the public launch of the competition version of
the Jaguar XJ220 designated the XJ220C.� The car was developed by
TWR and Jaguar Sport for GT racing.� Examples of the XJ220C were to
be made available for sale with a price tag of �380,000.�
The twin turbo charged 3.5 litre V6 engine has been developed to
produce a reputed 850+ bhp on maximum boost.� With a weight of
approximately 2,300lbs this car has a 0-60 mph time of about 2.9
seconds and a top speed of 220+ mph. It is believed that a total of
four XJ220C's were constructed by TWR and a further six XJ220S road
going variants were built.��
The XJ220C's first competition experience was in the Italian Group
N series, when two cars were entered and in May the XJ220C made a
UK debut at Silverstone.� The event was the BRDC National Sports GT
Challenge race and driven by Win Percy the XJ220C easily beat the
Porsche and Aston Martin opposition.� Despite having less power
than the Porsche, Win Percy attributed the win to a modern design
and better developed braking and cornering capabilities - ground
effect technology was well developed in this car.
Three works cars were entered in Category 4 (GT Class) for the 1993
Le Mans 24 Hour Race.� This car No. 50 was driven by John Nielsen,
David Braham & David Coulthard.
Two of the XJ220Cs had retired by the early hours of Sunday
morning.� A fuel leak in car 50 took 73 minutes to repair but once
repaired the car overhauled and regained the GT lead from the
Barth/Dypuy/Gouhier Porsche.� Car 50 finished having completed 306
laps (averaging 173 Km/h: 102 mph) and was the first car in its
class to take the chequered flag.�
Despite being the winner on the road, the car was disqualified
several weeks later for an alleged technical infringement relating
to the lack of catalytic converters during the race.� An appeal by
TWR was not accepted on the grounds that it had been lodged out of
time.
This car was sold by TWR after it had finished its professional
career to the Sultan Of Brunei who never actually took delivery of
it. TWR then brokered the sale of the car to it's previous
collector owner of 18 years who in turn, lent it to Jaguar to
complete the Jaguar Heritage display of important Jaguar cars at
various venues.�
The car also appeared in Germany and was part of the Jaguar display
before the British GP, driven by (inter alia) David Brabham at the
Goodwood Festival of Speed. In 2011 this car was on show again at
the Goodwood Festival of Speed and has been exhibited at Goodwood
and Le Mans Classic.
A once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a class winning works
entered Le Mans Jaguar presented exactly as it last raced in 1993
with the option to be UK road registered on behalf of the new
owner. Please contact us for more details.�
