Jaguar C-Type (XK 120-C)
Highlights
Data & Facts
This Automobile
This C-Type example is one of them and it is one of the 43 vehicles that were sold with a road approval. According to the available Jaguar Heritage Certificate, it was completed at the factory in Coventry on 12 August 1952 and delivered to the importer Max Hoffman in New York on 7 October. It was the fifth example to reach the USA. It was delivered in cream paintwork with green suede seats. The first owner was Commander John "Jack" Rutherford in Florida, who was one of the most ambitious private drivers on the US racing scene. The C-Type was probably only used by Rutherford in 1953 at the NASCAR Speed Week in Daytona Beach in a one-mile sprint race, which he won at a speed of 134.07 miles per hour (approx. 226 kph). Historic photos (see above) show Rutherford with starting number 11 and his victory was mentioned in the magazines "Car World" and "Car Life" at the time. Rutherford also used his Jaguar D-Type (successor to the C-Type), Porsche 356, Austin Healey Silverstone and Ferrari 375 MM for racing. Despite this fleet of significantly faster and "newer" racing cars, he kept the C-Type until 1960.
As the second owner, David S. Burtner in Buffalo, New York, acquired the road-going race car and entered it in four SCCA races: In 1961, he competed at a track in Mansfield, Texas, on 3 September and at the SCCA Regional Muskogee in Oklahoma on 29 October, finishing first in his class in each. In 1962, Burtner again finished first in his class on 27 May at the SCCA National Stuttgart in Arkansas and tenth overall. He became also fourth in his class on 8 July at Lake Garnett Raceway in Kansas (starting number 78). This was followed on 9 September by his participation in the Road America 500-mile race (start number 34), where Burtner finished on place 15 overall and fourth in his class.
The car and some original components were then sold in the mid-1960s to Ralph Steiger in Hamilton, Ohio, who kept the C-Type for around 20 years. He ensured that the authenticity of the car was preserved as it was only slightly overhauled it but not irreversibly modified.
In 1986, the C-Type came to Europe to an owner (name known) in Germany. In 1988, he commissioned Peter Jaye Engineering in Wooton together with RS Panels in Nuneaton (both in England) to carry out a comprehensive restoration. The original engine and gearbox were reinstalled and the bodywork was revised. Jaye is a recognised C-Type specialist. His memories are recorded in the reference book "The Complete Register of Jaguar C-Type, D-Type and Lightweight E-Types" (published by Herridge & Sons). Therein he describes this C-Type as "a fine original car with matching engine and most factory parts, including bodywork, requiring only minor chassis repairs, mainly to reinstall the original engine and gearbox". As part of the restoration, the car was repainted and the interior was fitted with green leather seats. In August 1990, the car was registered in the UK to the German owner, who used it at many events over the next twelve years.
The C-Type was then sold back to the USA in 2002 to a collector (name known) in Connecticut, who kept the car until 2006. This was followed by three more collectors (all names known) in the USA before the rare racing sports car returned to Europe. In January 2015, it was acquired by the next owner in the UK and was once again given a British registration. Almost three years later, it was sold to the penultimate owner (name known) in October 2017. The current owner acquired the car in the summer of 2024.
A special feature of this C-Type is the originality of the bodywork, which has been replaced on many other vehicles over the course of time. Generally speaking, there is a conflict of objectives with motorsport vehicles between the most original condition and at the same time the most favourable racing career. This is because the more often and harder a racing car was used to win, the more inevitable accidents and engine damage were, which jeopardised its later originality. This C-Type has a modest racing history with few entries and no serious accidents. Its bodywork even includes the original matching-numbers bonnet – a feature that is extremely rare due to its vulnerability in racing. For this very reason, there is hardly a second example that is still in such outstandingly well-preserved and original condition. Recently, the C-Type was repainted in its original delivery colour of a light cream-white.
Then as now, a Jaguar C-Type is characterised by its great driving characteristics: relatively easy and safe to drive, yet comfortable and reliable at the same time. With its tried-and-tested and durable six-cylinder in-line engine, it was (and still is) a perfect all-rounder among the racing sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. This is why C-Types were successfully entered at Le Mans and Goodwood, the Mille Miglia, the Monaco Grand Prix, Waktins Glen, Laguna Seca, Sebring and even the Carrera Panamericana. Due to the significant racing participation of C-Type models, this example is one of the best tickets for high-ranking historic competition events such as the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco, Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Goodwood and Mille Miglia.
This Jaguar C-Type with complete history offers a rare opportunity to acquire a highly original and high-quality motorsport icon from Jaguar that will add significant value to any high-calibre racing car collection.
Model History
The origin of the Jaguar C-Type, officially called XK 120-C (C for Competition), goes back to the standard XK 120, which was presented as early as 1948. This sports car was extremely successful as an Open Two Seater (OTS) and coupé, with just under 10,000 units being produced until 1954. The designation "120" stands for the top speed of 120 miles per hour (just under 200 km/h).
Motorsport was enormously important for the sale of sporty vehicles as a reputation and so the XK 120 was regularly involved in racing. In 1950, a total of six XK 120s were entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of them came third after 21 hours and two others finished 12th and 15th overall. These solid successes showed the potential of the sports car. Jaguar founder and chief executive William Lyons then decided to build a special racing sports car for Le Mans based on the XK 120, which was to be as light and aerodynamic as possible and entered in the following year, 1951.
Malcolm Sayer, who had relevant experience as an aircraft engineer, was responsible for the development of the XK 120-C. Its aerodynamically optimised aluminium body was based on a tubular trellis frame. Some mechanical components as well as the basic principle of the front suspension and the engine were adopted from the XK 120.
Overall, however, the C-Type was more of a new construction around a modified XK 120 engine, whose blocks, crankshafts and cylinder heads were used from the series. Enlarged exhaust valves, optimised camshafts and higher compression resulted in a better output of initially 200 hp, which was later increased to up to 230 hp. Initially fitted with special Lockheed drum brakes, in 1952 the C-Type was the first racing car to be equipped with Dunlop disc brakes, which were revolutionary at the time.
The C-Type was an immediate success in motorsport. In its very first year in 1951, it clinched the first overall victory for the British brand at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drivers Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won with a nine-lap lead over strong competition. In 1952, the innovative disc brakes ensured a victory for Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix. Another overall victory at Le Mans came in 1953 with drivers Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton, who achieved an average speed of 170 km/h over the 24 hours. Second and fourth places were also won by C-Type cars with the teams Moss / Walker and Whitehead / Stewart. By 1954, only 53 Jaguar XK 120-C had been built, 43 of which were road-legal versions.
This Automobile
This C-Type example is one of them and it is one of the 43 vehicles that were sold with a road approval. According to the available Jaguar Heritage Certificate, it was completed at the factory in Coventry on 12 August 1952 and delivered to the importer Max Hoffman in New York on 7 October. It was the fifth example to reach the USA. It was delivered in cream paintwork with green suede seats. The first owner was Commander John "Jack" Rutherford in Florida, who was one of the most ambitious private drivers on the US racing scene. The C-Type was probably only used by Rutherford in 1953 at the NASCAR Speed Week in Daytona Beach in a one-mile sprint race, which he won at a speed of 134.07 miles per hour (approx. 226 kph). Historic photos (see above) show Rutherford with starting number 11 and his victory was mentioned in the magazines "Car World" and "Car Life" at the time. Rutherford also used his Jaguar D-Type (successor to the C-Type), Porsche 356, Austin Healey Silverstone and Ferrari 375 MM for racing. Despite this fleet of significantly faster and "newer" racing cars, he kept the C-Type until 1960.
As the second owner, David S. Burtner in Buffalo, New York, acquired the road-going race car and entered it in four SCCA races: In 1961, he competed at a track in Mansfield, Texas, on 3 September and at the SCCA Regional Muskogee in Oklahoma on 29 October, finishing first in his class in each. In 1962, Burtner again finished first in his class on 27 May at the SCCA National Stuttgart in Arkansas and tenth overall. He became also fourth in his class on 8 July at Lake Garnett Raceway in Kansas (starting number 78). This was followed on 9 September by his participation in the Road America 500-mile race (start number 34), where Burtner finished on place 15 overall and fourth in his class.
The car and some original components were then sold in the mid-1960s to Ralph Steiger in Hamilton, Ohio, who kept the C-Type for around 20 years. He ensured that the authenticity of the car was preserved as it was only slightly overhauled it but not irreversibly modified.
In 1986, the C-Type came to Europe to an owner (name known) in Germany. In 1988, he commissioned Peter Jaye Engineering in Wooton together with RS Panels in Nuneaton (both in England) to carry out a comprehensive restoration. The original engine and gearbox were reinstalled and the bodywork was revised. Jaye is a recognised C-Type specialist. His memories are recorded in the reference book "The Complete Register of Jaguar C-Type, D-Type and Lightweight E-Types" (published by Herridge & Sons). Therein he describes this C-Type as "a fine original car with matching engine and most factory parts, including bodywork, requiring only minor chassis repairs, mainly to reinstall the original engine and gearbox". As part of the restoration, the car was repainted and the interior was fitted with green leather seats. In August 1990, the car was registered in the UK to the German owner, who used it at many events over the next twelve years.
The C-Type was then sold back to the USA in 2002 to a collector (name known) in Connecticut, who kept the car until 2006. This was followed by three more collectors (all names known) in the USA before the rare racing sports car returned to Europe. In January 2015, it was acquired by the next owner in the UK and was once again given a British registration. Almost three years later, it was sold to the penultimate owner (name known) in October 2017. The current owner acquired the car in the summer of 2024.
A special feature of this C-Type is the originality of the bodywork, which has been replaced on many other vehicles over the course of time. Generally speaking, there is a conflict of objectives with motorsport vehicles between the most original condition and at the same time the most favourable racing career. This is because the more often and harder a racing car was used to win, the more inevitable accidents and engine damage were, which jeopardised its later originality. This C-Type has a modest racing history with few entries and no serious accidents. Its bodywork even includes the original matching-numbers bonnet – a feature that is extremely rare due to its vulnerability in racing. For this very reason, there is hardly a second example that is still in such outstandingly well-preserved and original condition. Recently, the C-Type was repainted in its original delivery colour of a light cream-white.
Then as now, a Jaguar C-Type is characterised by its great driving characteristics: relatively easy and safe to drive, yet comfortable and reliable at the same time. With its tried-and-tested and durable six-cylinder in-line engine, it was (and still is) a perfect all-rounder among the racing sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s. This is why C-Types were successfully entered at Le Mans and Goodwood, the Mille Miglia, the Monaco Grand Prix, Waktins Glen, Laguna Seca, Sebring and even the Carrera Panamericana. Due to the significant racing participation of C-Type models, this example is one of the best tickets for high-ranking historic competition events such as the Grand Prix Historique de Monaco, Le Mans Classic, Tour Auto, Goodwood and Mille Miglia.
This Jaguar C-Type with complete history offers a rare opportunity to acquire a highly original and high-quality motorsport icon from Jaguar that will add significant value to any high-calibre racing car collection.
Model History
The origin of the Jaguar C-Type, officially called XK 120-C (C for Competition), goes back to the standard XK 120, which was presented as early as 1948. This sports car was extremely successful as an Open Two Seater (OTS) and coupé, with just under 10,000 units being produced until 1954. The designation "120" stands for the top speed of 120 miles per hour (just under 200 km/h).
Motorsport was enormously important for the sale of sporty vehicles as a reputation and so the XK 120 was regularly involved in racing. In 1950, a total of six XK 120s were entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. One of them came third after 21 hours and two others finished 12th and 15th overall. These solid successes showed the potential of the sports car. Jaguar founder and chief executive William Lyons then decided to build a special racing sports car for Le Mans based on the XK 120, which was to be as light and aerodynamic as possible and entered in the following year, 1951.
Malcolm Sayer, who had relevant experience as an aircraft engineer, was responsible for the development of the XK 120-C. Its aerodynamically optimised aluminium body was based on a tubular trellis frame. Some mechanical components as well as the basic principle of the front suspension and the engine were adopted from the XK 120. Overall, however, the C-Type was more of a new construction around a modified XK 120 engine, whose blocks, crankshafts and cylinder heads were used from the series. Enlarged exhaust valves, optimised camshafts and higher compression resulted in a better output of initially 200 hp, which was later increased to up to 230 hp. Initially fitted with special Lockheed drum brakes, in 1952 the C-Type was the first racing car to be equipped with Dunlop disc brakes, which were revolutionary at the time.
The C-Type was an immediate success in motorsport. In its very first year in 1951, it clinched the first overall victory for the British brand at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drivers Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won with a nine-lap lead over strong competition. In 1952, the innovative disc brakes ensured a victory for Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix. Another overall victory at Le Mans came in 1953 with drivers Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton, who achieved an average speed of 170 km/h over the 24 hours. Second and fourth places were also won by C-Type cars with the teams Moss / Walker and Whitehead / Stewart. By 1954, only 53 Jaguar XK 120-C had been built, 43 of which were road-legal versions.