The Jaguar D-Type returns to life 62 years after we bid farewell to the last unit

The beginnings of a brand are worthy of admiration and, over time, so are its first vehicles. A model that meets the criteria of both classic and astonishing is, without a doubt, the Jaguar D-Type. This sports car was born to satisfy the brand’s most demanding customers, which it achieved by creating a car designed to triumph on the track. 62 years later, Jaguar has decided to bring the D-Type back to life, one of the most iconic models of all time.

The Jaguar D-Type debuted in 1954 as the racing version of the XKSS, a sports car that turned heads everywhere. The fame of this model reached its peak with its victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957, making it one of the few cars of its era to win three consecutive times. Without a doubt, the D-Type was a very special model, not only for the victories it recorded, but also for the small number of units produced.

Specifically, Jaguar built 75 units of the D-Type, of which a minority were allocated to professional racing teams and the rest went to private customers. The British firm’s initial plan was to produce 100 units but, for various reasons, this was not possible. 62 years later, Jaguar still has that lingering regret, so they have decided to build 25 more units to finish what was started long ago.

Today, we have technology advanced enough to manufacture any type of product. However, Jaguar’s engineers want to be as faithful as possible to the original D-Type, so its production will be entirely handcrafted. At the same time, the mechanics of the English sports car will also remain intact, and customers will be able to choose between the specifications of the 1955 or 1956 model, known as Shortnose and Longnose respectively.

The current engine will respect the structure of the original, so these 25 Jaguar D-Types will feature a 3.4-litre, six-cylinder inline engine. This setup will be able to revive the 250 CV that powered the British sports car, which will keep its classic essence intact despite being a vehicle built in modern times.

Its official presentation will take place at the Paris Classic Car Show, an event taking place these days. For now, we do not know the official price of this iconic revival, but we can assume it will not be a low figure, considering how the original D-Types are valued. Whatever the amount, we have before us one of the most iconic vehicles in motoring history and, luckily, we will be able to enjoy its presence once again.