Following Leslie Johnson’s competitive outing at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Jaguar XK 120 S, Jaguar management approved the development of a new XK-based racing model, initially dubbed the XK 120 C and later known as the C-type. Starting with an all-new lightweight tubular space frame, Jaguar’s experimental department redesigned the XK’s rear suspension with additional positioning links and the 3.4-litre engine was upgraded with a new cylinder head, high-lift camshafts, racing pistons and an un-muffled dual exhaust system, combining to develop a formidable 200 horsepower.  The robust engineering was clothed in the beautiful aerodynamic coachwork penned by stylist, Malcolm Sayers, combining sensuous curves with traditional marque cues such as the classic elliptical grille. 

This is XKC 028 and when new, was dispatched to Jaguar distributors Charles Hornburg in Los Angeles LA on 24th November 1952. Its early life primarily saw use as a road car; the merit of which shines through today as this example has remained unusually original. It did race, but not until 1981 in the hands of Joe Egle, a former Jagaur distributor is Kansas City, Missouri.

After fitting seatbelts(!) 028 made its first public appearance at the Elkhart Lake Vintage Races and Concours. Whilst the car didn’t race, it did win first place in the concours. Its second outing at Road Atlanta however saw much greater success. Egle and his daughters entered the car at the Vintage Races and Concours run by the SVRA. Whilst they had not planned to race, they found they couldn’t enter the concours without doing so. In a borrowed race suit and helmet, Joe Egle dusted off his racing-skills and entered the car which had sat unused for the best part of fifteen years. He lapped every car on the grid except Bob O’Brien’s XK120 and won the race.

In 1988, the C-type passed to Bob Baker and later, in 1995, to Arizona-based cardiologist Phillippe Reyens who would keep the car for 20 years. All these drivers used it in US historic racing events but without accident and without losing any significant original parts.

'XKC 028 is a particularly complete and correct C type, indeed I cannot think of a more original example. The condition is excellent and I believe it has had the most sensitive of restorations. I would particularly recommend it as a chance to see just how these cars looked on day one. Perhaps rather counter-intuitively, what is good about XKC 028 is that it actually did not race in period. This has saved it from the typical damage and crude modification that some cars suffered in racing at the time they were at their lowest value. It is absolutely a car to cherish and I would love to own it.'- Chris Keith-Lucas, CKL Developments

 Most recently this example has found residence in the United States once more, and is available to view by appointment only. 

Please refer to our main website www.dke.co.uk for full details, additional photos, our terms of sale and accurate pricing as some websites may use out of date currency exchange rates: https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/1670/blue_chip_competition_cars/jaguar_c_type.html