Jaguar
C-type (XK120C)

Why it matters

The C-type was Jaguar's first purpose-built sports-racer, combining the XK engine with a lightweight tubular space frame and aerodynamic body. It won Le Mans on its 1951 debut, the first British victory there in almost 20 years, and won again in 1953; only 53 were built.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Three factory cars were built first for the works team and debuted at Le Mans in June 1951, where Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead won outright. Jaguar then built approximately 43 customer cars. The cars used a 3.4-litre XK engine with a new cylinder head, high-lift camshafts and racing pistons, clothed in a body by Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won Le Mans again in 1953.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Originals have an all-new lightweight tubular space frame and the elliptical grille, and carry XKC chassis numbers with matching engine (E-series), gearbox and body numbers recorded by the factory; the catalogued XKC 007, for example, has engine E 1009-8 and body K 1009.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1953 Jaguar C-type (NDU 289) Level A Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust

   • of the 53 cars built, 43 were sold to private owners
   • still fitted with SU carburettors and drum brakes
   • Using the XK120’s proven engine, transmission and front suspension
   • the rear suspension now used transverse torsion bars

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   RM Sotheby's lot catalogue: 1952 Jaguar C-Type XKC 007 (New York 2017) Level B

   • 53 examples built (3 initial works cars, c.43 customer cars)

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1952 Jaguar C-Type – New York ICONS 2017 Level B RM Sotheby's

   • 3.4-liter engine
   • develop a formidable 200 hp
   • all-new lightweight tubular space frame

   Accessed 2026-11-11