Introduced in 1954 and specifically for racing, the Jaguar D-Type went on to become one of the most iconic race cars ever built, scoring no fewer than 164 outright wins in 11 years, including three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Naturally, the cars that triumphed at Le Mans are the most sought-after nowadays, and collectors will have the chance to bid on one such model at RM Sotheby’s auction event in Monterey on August 19-20.
The car in question is the Ecurie Ecosse-liveried D-Type that won the famous race in 1956. Driven by Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart, the blue Jaguar won the event one lap ahead of Stirling Moss’ Aston Martin DB3S. The D-Type also defeated a Ferrari 625LM and a Porsche 55A/4 RS in the process.
Raced between 1955 and 1960, and then again in 1970, chassis no. XKD 501 scored a total of six overall wins. Four came in its first year on the track, the fifth was at Le Mans, and the sixth was at the only event it was entered in for 1970, 15 years after its inception. The car scored another 11 podium finishes throughout its career, making it one of the most successful D-Types. The car was raced at Goodwood, Mille Miglia, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch, among other race tracks in Europe. All but one of its 29 events were raced under the colors of Ecurie Ecosse, known for its signature metallic blue livery with the St. Andrews Cross on the front fenders.
Now offered from its third private owner, the XKD 501 comes with extensive documentation and has been restored to its original Le Mans specification. It has the same 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine (250 horsepower) with three Weber carburetors that is mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The independent front suspension, live rear axle, and four-wheel disc brakes are as authentic as they get, being sourced from Jaguar during the restoration.
Its impressive racing heritage and excellent condition means it won’t change owners for cheap, though. Much like other Le Mans winners, it will fetch big bucks when it crosses the auction block. There’s no official estimate, but it’s safe to assume we’re talking about a few million dollars.
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