Equipment
RHD. Dunlop alloy knockoff wheels, full width wraparound windshield, head fairing. Looks a lot like a D type until the independent rear suspension and raised rear deck to complement the required tall, full width windshield is noticed. Chipped, worn and as raced except for an old repaint by Jaguar 40 years ago before going to the present owners. Drilled for various accoutrements and drivers preferences, the wheel may still have McLarens D in its grain but the car has lost the head fairing fin it had when famously raced for Briggs Cunningham. DNF at Le Mans in 1960 driven by Dan Gurney and Walt Hansgen. Driven by Hansgen to a win at Bridgehampton and second at Elkhart Lake, then by Jack Brabham at Riverside in the Times GP and by Bruce McLaren at Lagu Seca where it didnt exactly shine. Later used by Jaguar without the fin to disguise testing of the XJ 13. Acquired by the selling Griffiths family 40 years ago. Supplied as resprayed by Jaguar then, with a 3.8 liter competition engine and accompanied by a supremely rare 3 liter aluminum engine EE1301 10 as raced at Le Mans. An amazingly preserved piece of Jaguar and racing history.
Market commentary
Opened at $2 million. Quickly to $3 million, then by $100k bumps from $3.8 million. There was abundant talk of a $7 million bogey for this Jag, a number that was at once both foolish and clever in setting the expectations of potential bidders. At this price, comfortably below the floated rumor, it seems almost a bargain and responsible. It is, however a Jaguar world record, for a car with only limited racing success and is an astutely maged marketing success. its also probably the lone Jaguar prototype in private hands, and that carries a lot of value. Theres no fluff or ego satisfaction in this price, just good value for a very important car.