The D-Type was Jaguar's Ultimate Racecar

[@ryanvannoord7060]

I think that the engineering begind this car made it one of the best cars of its time, and the history behind it makes it even cooler to learn about!

[@letsdriveit_]

It really is an awesome car with great history behind it!

[@1969JohnnyM]

i know people talk about the beauty of the E-Type but to me both the C and the D-type were up in the top 5 of the World's Most Beautiful Cars, both were not just beautiful but fast.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Yes I totally agree ,I even prefer the xks 120 to the e type

[@retrocar7761]

Gorgeous cars, i saw an original example at Jaguar's heritage collection a few years ago.

[@thesoultwins72]

One of the most successful race cars ever created. Originally powered by a 3.4L iteration of the legendary straight-six XK engine, which established its pedigree in the D-types' predecessor - the gorgeous C-type. However, the 3.4L version was later increased to 3.8L but then reduced back to 3.0L to conform with Le Mans engine limitation rules. The D-types' beautifully 'slippery' aerodynamic design was the creation of aviation aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer, utilising a revolutionary monocoque construction, with equally ground-breaking all-round disc brakes [developed by Jaguar in conjunction with Dunlop] allied to the immensely powerful straight-6 XK engine. Its only real competitor during the period was the Mercedes-Benz - but in truth, they were no match for the D-type. Indeed, D-types won Le Mans in 1955, '56 and '57 [D-types actually came 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th in the 1957 race - an absolutely stunning feat and testimony to the car's dominance and reliability]. However, they should have won a fourth consecutive Le Mans - but controversially, were forced to retire due to 'fuel issues'. In those days, the fuel for all the race cars was supplied by the Le Mans organisers. Jaguar racing team have always claimed that they were given 'contaminated' fuel by the organisers - which led to carburettor problems, loss of power and ultimately retirement. It cannot be proven, but some think that the Le Mans race organisers deliberately 'sabotaged' Jaguar's fuel in retribution for the horrific events of the 1955 race [the 'Le Mans disaster'] where Mercedes-Benz driver Pierre Levegh and 83 spectators were killed and more than 120 others were injured. This tragic incident was largely blamed on Jaguar works driver Mike Hawthorn, who suddenly and without any warning, veered across the finishing straight of the track and directly in front of Lance Macklin's Healey 100S. As the D-types were equipped with disc-brakes they had much better stopping power which caused Macklin to swerve out from behind Hawthorn and into the direct path of a fast-approaching Pierre Levegh. [Levegh was travelling at approx 120mph and Macklin at under 100mph]. The Healey 1004/100S has a pronounced sloping tail, and this literally acted as a 'ramp' for Levegh's Mercedes, launching it into the air, where it then struck a concrete pillar and disintegrated into a ball of fire and molten metal. [this was actually captured from all angles on newsreel film - and is a truly horrifying sight]. Levegh's body was never recovered, but his car continued in its path in the form of razor-sharp shards of metal that scythed through the crowd of spectators. [eyewitness accounts state that amputated legs, arms and heads were flying everywhere!] The 'Le Mans 'Disaster' is still the worst ever motor-racing accident and led to major reforms in the sport.

[@jpkatz1435]

Supurb discription of a horrendous accident.

[@ChasingDifferentAdventures]

Wow a beautiful Jaguar D-Type I had the Pleasure to view Steve McQueen's Jaguar XKSS, which he used to race James Dean with down Mulholland Drive. It's footage at the Petersen Automotive Museum at least that's where it was. I have in my Automotive PlayList interactive 360VR. Thanks for sharing such an awesome car 👦🏻👍🏻🏎🏎🏁🏁 at least you were lucky to have been able to sit on it 👦🏻👍🏻

[@letsdriveit_]

The Petersen Museum is great and I loved seeing Steve McQueen's XKSS too! Glad you enjoyed the video and I can't wait to make more!

[@jeramiebradford1]

Just checking in, trying to help you with the algorithm. This channel should be bigger.

[@letsdriveit_]

I appreciate the kind words! Thank you for the loyalty and hopefully the channel will continue to grow!

[@visheshsux]

such a majestic machine

[@TheHelado36]

What a beauty !

[@letsdriveit_]

One of the most beautiful cars ever made!

[@MrABD_YT]

Honestly!

[@buddhavskungfu]

holy dang... that sounded amazing

[@letsdriveit_]

Gotta love the sound of a straight-piped Jag

[@artamverk]

Good job 👍

[@angelnotsocial9001]

here frm tiktok💪🏽 had to sub

[@juanoliverojr3433]

So beautiful....

[@scottthomas5999]

Coolest of the cool!!!

[@christianmichael1970]

That poor car is a caged tiger in that little parking lot in the end shots. Those little runs were enough just to p*ss it off lol

[@beancan1751]

"Jaguar" not "Jagwuarrr"

[@robertmcfarland620]

The truth is Mercedes was wiping Jaguar out until they have the awful accident and then Mercedes just left the race. The d-type Jaguar is a fabulous but it never compared to the 1955 Mercedes race cara.

[@pjohnbaldridge]

thats a c type not a d type

[@mbeamer823]

From the philly area?

[@jagitmax]

Original ? STEWART WARNER (American) gauges, I think Jaguar would have been using SMITHS gauges

[@jpkatz1435]

The S. W. guages must be a story them selves.