The story of the Jaguar C-type that won the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours.
This glorious book tells the story of the celebrated lightweight Jaguar C-type, chassis number XKC 051, that Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt drove to victory in the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours.
The car went on to have a busy post-works racing career, first with Ecurie Ecosse, then with privateer drivers Bill Smith and Geoffrey Allison. Among its small number of collector custodians in later years, the names Briggs Cunningham in America and Adrian Hamilton (son of Duncan) in the UK stand out.
The development of the C-type is described, focusing on the three lightweights of 1953 with thinner-gauge aluminum bodies, pioneering disc brakes, and aircraft-style fuel tanks.
All this is covered in fascinating detail, supported by interviews with drivers and mechanics, a fine collection of period images and studio photographs.
About the Author
Philip Porter has written about 18 motoring books, twice winning the Montagu Trophy for best motoring book of the year. A lifelong motor racing enthusiast, that enthusiasm was largely fired by one Stirling Moss. Like so many young boys in the fifties, he was Philip’s absolute hero. As a consequence, Philip began successfully competing in motor sport while still at school. He began acquiring classic sports cars long before it became a boom and owns 9600 HP, the oldest E-type in existence. This led to some motoring journalism amongst his busy business career.
He later satisfied his competitive spirit with flying hot air balloons and airships, winning the silver medal at the 1991 European Airship Championships. In 1992 he became the first person ever to fly an airship in Africa. He is Chairman of the Sherlock Holmes Society and an active member of the Jerome K. Jerome Society. In 1997 he and his wife Julie founded the International Jaguar XK Club and in 2004 they started the Jaguar E-type Club. Philip edits both monthly magazines and Sir Stirling is Patron of the XK Club. Philip and Julie live in a Tudor farmhouse in Worcestershire and have their offices in an adjoining thatched barn.
Chas Parker is a motorsport writer who started his working life in the field of astronomy, as press officer for the Royal Greenwich Observatory. During this time he obtained a degree in mathematics and physics from the Open University. He has contributed to the Philips Encyclopaedia of Astronomy and Patrick Moore’s Yearbook of Astronomy. His main interest, however, is motor racing, and he spent many years taking photographs at different racing circuits around the UK, amassing a collection of many thousands of color transparencies. For some time he has worked as a sub-editor for Motorsport News, and he also reports on events such as the Goodwood Revival meeting and Festival of Spee
