The 1956 Jaguar D-Type Redefined Racing And Stole The Spotlight At Le Mans

The Birth of the Jaguar D-type

The Jaguar D-type was designed with a singular goal in mind – to take overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. It achieved this feat three times, thanks to revolutionary technology derived from the aeronautical world.

Limited Production and Privateer Legacy

Between 1954 and 1957, just 71 D-types were built, with 53 of them going to privateer racers. Among these was XKD 518, one of the rarest examples of the D-type, a car that epitomises the essence of D-Type racing heritage. I got the chance to see it up close at Concours of Elegance 2024.

A Unique and Eye-Catching Design

Dispatched on 29 December 1955 and delivered new to Henleys of Manchester, XKD 518 immediately stood out. Jaguar painted it in a striking red with a matching interior, making it one of very few D-types finished in this colour. Some historians humorously suggest that Jaguar chose this bold livery in hopes of breaking into the Italian privateer racing market. This D-Type was indeed a standout in its design and colour scheme.

Peter Blond and Early Racing Success

Despite the unique paint job, the car remained in England, where racer Peter Blond became its first private owner. He purchased it for £3500 from a certain Bernie Ecclestone, who had taken the car on after Henleys struggled to find a buyer. Blond wasted no time putting Jaguar XKD 518, a classic D-Type, to good use, competing in club racing. In June 1956, he secured second and first place finishes at Snetterton, followed by another first-place finish there in September. Other notable appearances included races at Aintree, Silverstone, Oulton Park, and Goodwood, where Blond finished ninth in the Goodwood Trophy race.

The Sieff and Blond Partnership

In August 1957, Jonathan Sieff purchased the Jaguar from Blond, but continued to race it alongside him. Their best result together came in July 1958, when they finished second at Full Sutton. Following the 1959 racing season, Sieff sold XKD 518 to Monty Mostyn of Speedwell Garage. The D-Type car briefly changed hands before ending up with racer Jean Bloxham.

Jean Bloxham and Goodwood Success

Under Bloxham’s ownership, Jaguar XKD 518 returned to the track, competing at Goodwood in March and April of 1961. Bloxham also raced the D-Type at Silverstone in May, finishing in an impressive third place.

Ownership by Notable Figures

In 1974, XKD 518 was purchased by Peter Grant, the manager of rock band Led Zeppelin. The car then crossed the Atlantic in 1982, entering the collection of American enthusiast George Stauffer. Over the years, the D-Type passed through the hands of several notable American collectors before returning to the UK in 2021.

A Sympathetic Restoration

The current custodian, who has owned various D-types and C-types in the past, decided to undertake a sympathetic restoration of XKD 518. Crucially, there are no known gaps in the D-Type car’s history or ownership records. The car is also documented in authoritative Jaguar texts, including Philip Porter’s Jaguar Sports Racing Cars. You can buy some very cool Jaguar books here, and use our discount code to get yourself 10% off.

Technical Specifications

ENGINE
3442cc / inline-six / naturally aspirated / DOHC

TRANSMISSION
Four-speed manual, RWD

POWER
250bhp

TORQUE
240lb ft

TOP SPEED
162mph

0-60MPH
4.2 seconds

WEIGHT
875kg

What an iconic beauty. I’d so love to have this car for a day and drive it on the track. A legendary motor racing car. This car really caught my attention and made it into my top 10 cars at the 2024 Concours of Elegance. Check out that top 10 here.

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