Incredible photos of the new Jaguar D-type

The iconic D-type is reborn

Jaguar has announced it's restarting production of the legendary D-type sports car, more than 60 years after the last models were built.

The D-type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race three times in the 1950s and has long been considered a classic of its era. And now it's back.

Here's all you need to know about it – together with some wonderful images of the beautiful car.

Authentic

The new D-types will be meticulously hand-crafted to ensure they closely match the 1955 and 1956 models, with the team at Jaguar Classics using original engineering drawings and records to ensure authenticity.

Unveiled

An engineering prototype of the new D-type will be unveiled later today at Rétromobile Paris, with Jaguar Classic then building 25 fully working vehicles at its factory in Warwickshire.

Two versions

Clients will be able to choose from either the 1955-specification Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose bodywork. 

The model on show at Salon Rétromobile – and pictured here – will be the 1956 Longnose variant, identifiable by its extended bonnet and distinctive fin behind the driver's head.

Engine

Both versions will be powered by a six-cylinder XK engine, just as the original was in the 1950s. That engine had first surfaced in the C-type, although modifications were made to it during the D-type's lifetime.

Legendary

The D-type is one of the most famous of all sports cars, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in successive years from 1955 to 1957. 

Design

It was largely designed by Malcolm Sayer, whose aeronautics background helped him craft the vehicle's then-revolutionary aerodynamic design.

Longnose

The Longnose version was first produced in 1955 and lengthened the car by just over 7 inches. It further improved the already excellent aerodynamics – and its maximum speed too.

Unfinished business

Jaguar had originally planned to build 100 models of the D-type, but had completed only 75 when it temporarily retired from racing in 1956.

It was working to convert the remaining 25 into road-going XKSS models in 1957 when a fire at the production facility destroyed nine of the vehicles and much of the necessary tooling, and effectively ended the chance of any more D-types being produced at that time.

Spectacular

Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said, “The Jaguar D-type is one of the most iconic and beautiful competition cars of all time, with an outstanding record in the world’s toughest motor races. And it’s just as spectacular today.

“The opportunity to continue the D-type’s success story, by completing its planned production run in Coventry, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects that our world-class experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic are proud to fulfil.”

Continuation

The D-type is the third continuation vehicle from Jaguar Classic, following the 2014/15 production of six missing Lightweight E-types and the building of nine XKSSs in 2017-18.

Lessons learned

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 final 25 D-types.

"Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended.”

Pricey

Jaguar hasn't revealed a price tag, but don't expect it to come cheap. Original D-types have sold at auction for as much as £9million in recent years, and with only 25 available collectors will likely snap these up before they're even officially onsale.

Still, we can dream.