FROM CMC’S WEBSITE:
PROJECT CAR – CMC SPECIAL
We were approached in the summer of 2004 by a Jaguar enthusiast to build a car in the idiom of the golden age of sports racing cars of the 1950s/ early 1960s. This client was not interested in a high-priced replica or a pastiche of previous models but commissioned a one-off in the spirit of cars available in period to a gentleman racer and produced by small companies such as HWM, Cooper, Alta, etc.
The car was to be based on period Jaguar running gear – engine, transmission, suspension, non-servo disc brakes, period instruments and so on. It was designed for road use and track days.
CMC’s experience in the restoration and repair of many significant cars from this period (C-type, D-type, Cooper-Jaguar and HWM) meant we were uniquely qualified to undertake this project.
The project started with the purchase of a Reynard-designed tubular chassis which could take the required Jaguar mechanics. The rest was down to CMC.
THE CAR’S FILE CONTAINS A SHEET WHICH SAYS THE FOLLOWING:
CONCEPT
A car in the idiom of the 1950's/60's sports racers that would have been produced in that period by specialist companies such as HWM, Cooper, Alta and so on.
In this era cars were often driven to and from the race meetings they participated in. The car was to be Jaguar based and use all period components and construction methods.
DESIGN
Classic Motor Cars (CMC) of Bridgnorth were chosen to build the car as they had extensive experience with genuine 50's and 60's racers and the restoration of several significant Jaguars including Cooper Jaguar, HWM, C and D types.
It was decided at the outset to use a tubular chassis and the best available was seen to be a modified Reynard chassis, similar to those used on the Revival C and D-Type race cars. A chassis was sourced and modified to suit ease of maintenance and construction.
After much discussion a series of preliminary design sketches were produced by CMC, these sketches were inspired by several period sports/racers including the Maserati 300, Aston Martin DB3 and the XKSS, not to mention the offerings of Tojeiro, Lister, Cooper and the like.
· The XK engine was rebuilt, bored to 4.7 litres and upgraded considerably; being fitted with D-type rocker covers incorporating breathers leading to a separate catch tank. Triple Weber carburettors are fitted.
· The suspension is all Jaguar with the rear using Jaguar independent suspension modified to single sided spring and dampers. The dampers were custom made for the car
· The brakes are un-servoed discs.
· The gearbox is a five speed Tremec and the car has a limited slip differential.
Construction on the bodywork commenced with the making of wooden bucks and then forming the panels on an English wheel.
In order to give strength to the windscreen structure, the screen pillars were fabricated from steel tube welded directly to the chassis frame. A substantial scuttle hoop was also incorporated onto the chassis.
As the body neared completion details of the interior including seat construction and dashboard layout were finalized. Several interior designs were mocked up using scrap vinyl and foam. The final version uses fixed seats with adjustable pedals.
The instrumentation and switchgear is all original Jaguar taken from the donor car and supplemented by a period Smiths aircraft 8 day clock and other ancillary items.
The original speedometer was rebuilt and recalibrated with a 180 mph face.
There were surprisingly few teething problems and the only alterations that were made were to the spring and damper rates as the ride was initially found to be rather firm for road use.
TODAY:
The car is coming from a small private collection of 40’s/50’s/60’s and 70’s exotica and been kept in a heated garage. It has been maintained in perfect working order having done about five hundred miles in the last year.
It is being regretfully offered for sale purely to make room for something else.
It comes with specially parts to modify the drivers seat for a shorter driver, the steering wheel that was fitted from new, the current owner preferring a leather rim example, the tonneau cover, hood and sticks, original body bucks.
The history file includes copies of Jagaur Driver, Jaguar Enthusiast, a Telegraph Motoring section and Classic and Sportscar in which there are articles on the car itself.