Jaguar is marking 80 years of vehicle production with a star-studded entry on this year’s Mille Miglia, which takes place from 14-17 May. Nine of the firm’s most famous models will tackle the 1000-mile charge from Brescia to Rome and back again, with celebrity drivers including David Gandy, James Martin, Jodie Kidd and Charley Boorman all getting behind the wheel.
Sure to eclipse the television stars is five-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, who will be tackling the legendary race for the first time in a Jaguar C-type.
Meanwhile, Jaguar design director Ian Callum – creator of the Callum Mk2 – will be driving ‘RSF 303’, the Long Nose Ecurie Ecosse D-type that finished second at Le Mans in 1957. Callum took part in 2014’s event alongside Jay Leno, and this year will be driving alongside businessman Clive Beecham.
Adventurer Charley Boorman will be partnering Bremont co-founder Giles English in a MkVII, similar to the car driven to victory on the 1956 Rallye Monte-Carlo by Stirling Moss.
Celebrity chef James Martin is expected to share driving duties in the penultimate Long Nose D-type ever built – ‘393 RW’ – with Nick English, while the third D-type in the line up will be piloted by classic car expert Simon Kidston.
Presenter of The Classic Car Show, Jodie Kidd, will pair up with fellow model David Gandy in an XK120, with the final car – an XK140 – being driven by musician Elliot Gleave, who is better known by his moniker Example.
