Page 137 - Bespoke Issue

Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic engineering manager said: “Recreating the nine D-Type derived XKSSs was hugely satisfying and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-Types, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the nal twenty ve D-Types. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s competition department intended.
The history of the D-Type starts in 1954. Although it shares the basic straight-six XK engine and many of its mechanical components with the C-Type, its aviation industry in uenced structure was radically different. Innovative monocoque construction and an aeronautical
approach to aerodynamic ef ciency brought aviation technology to competition car design.
In 1957 25 of these cars were in various stages of production when a factory re destroyed nine of them. Total D-type production included 18 factory team cars, 53 customers cars and 16 XKSS versions.
The structural design was revolutionary at the time, the ‘Tub’ or cockpit section was this new monoque construction. The aerodynamic bodywork was largely the work of Malcolm Sayer, famous for working on the E-Type as well. The D-Type’s minimal
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