After winning the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans outright in 1951 and 1953 with its XK120-derived C-Type sports racers, Jaguar upped the ante with its successor, the brilliant new D-Type, in 1954. Setting entirely new standards with its cutting-edge competition engineering and stunning performance, the D-Type continues to captivate legions of collectors, Jaguar enthusiasts, and vintage racers like no other car of its kind.

Featuring advanced monocoque construction derived from the aerospace industry, the D-Type revolutionized sports-car design principles. A tubular front subframe cradled a dry sump, 3.4-liter XK DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, quite similar in essence to that of Jaguar’s XK120/XK140 road models.

Power was transmitted by a full-synchromesh, four-speed gearbox and underpinnings included unequal-length wishbones and torsion bars up front, with the live rear axle located by trailing links and a torsion bar. Four-wheel disc brakes, pioneered to great effect on the prior C-Type, were yet another advanced D-Type feature helping drivers minimize lap times. Most prominently, the D-Type’s curvaceous, wind-cheating body was designed by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer in short-nose form in 1954 and updated with a longer frontal treatment yielding better air penetration on longer circuits by 1955. Jaguar personnel directly involved in the D-Type program remain enduring legends in the company’s glorious history, including competitions manager Frank Raymond, Wilton “Lofty” England and test driver Norman Dewis.

The D-Type’s maiden outing was at the 1954 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with a four-car works team including the prototype car. The D-Type returned to Le Mans for 1955 with sleek, “long-nose” bodywork and an updated XK power plant, propelling Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb to the overall win. In 1956, while just one of three Jaguar works entries finished, the privateer Ecurie Ecosse team prevailed with Ron Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson finishing in first overall with their D-Type.

Jaguar may have retired from factory-backed racing after the 1956 season, but the Ecurie Ecosse privateer team achieved the D-Type’s crowning glory at Le Mans in 1957, with Jaguar taking five of the top six places, including First and Second Overall achieved by Ron Flockhart and Ivor Bueb, followed by Jock Lawrence and Ninian Sanderson. Despite this illustrious record, the reign of the D-Type was ended not on the track, but by new competition rules enacted for 1958. While best-known for its many European triumphs, the D-Type was a fierce competitor in Australia, Cuba, South America, and American SCCA competition, where John Fitch, Masten Gregory, Walt Hansgen, and eventual Shelby team driver Billy Krause, frequented Victory Lane.

Just 75 examples of the D-Type were built out of a planned 100-car run before a devastating fire destroyed Jaguar’s Browns Lane workshops on February 12, 1957, halting production of the mighty D-Type and its XKSS road-car derivative, with the tragedy only heightening their mystique. However, six decades later, Jaguar Classic decided to fulfill the originally planned production run of the D-Type with 25 Continuation models, engineered and hand-built in Warwickshire to uncompromising standards of authenticity. As in the period, two variations of the D-Type Continuation were offered – the early short-nose and later long-nose body configurations.

The D-Type Continuation made its international debut at the February 2018 Rétromobile show in Paris, with the entire 25-car run already pre-sold by then. The consignor was one of those lucky few buyers, and upon delivery, he placed chassis XKD 811 into his noted private collection. He has not driven the Jaguar, so it remains in pristine condition with only delivery miles from new. Chassis XKD 811 features the definitive long-nose body style with the faired driver’s headrest/stabilizer fin. Handsomely finished in black over a tan leather-trimmed cockpit for two, the Jaguar is powered by a legendary DOHC 3.4-liter XK engine and correct mechanicals down to the finest details. A mounted spare is found inside the rear storage compartment, properly stowed with a leather retaining strap. A fabulous tribute to the original cars of the 1950s, this 1956 Jaguar D-Type Continuation is an electrifying find for Jaguar collectors and a perfect candidate for concours display or vintage motoring events.

*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.