Car & Classic Premium Dealer

Fiskens

14 Queens Gate, Place Mews, LONDON

SW7 5BQ

1955 Jaguar D-Type SOLD

Chassis: XKD545
With three consecutive wins at Le Mans and over 150 international victories, the Jaguar D-Type is arguably Britain’s greatest motor racing export. Malcolm Sayer’s aeronautically inspired body, allied to Jaguar’s well-established XK engine, made for a truly inspired package.
Launched in 1954 with a 3. 4-litre straight-six powerplant and distinctive short-nose body, the D-Type displayed enormous potential, with Rolt and Hamilton finishing second at Le Mans despite all three works-entered cars suffering from fuel starvation. Encouraged by the promising performance, Jaguar further developed the D-Type works machines for 1955 by lengthening the nose and, crucially, solving the fuel filter issues which hampered the previous year’s efforts. Now fitted with a 3. 8-litre XK engine, success for the D-Type looked inevitable.
The 1955 season began with the works and Ecurie Ecosse-entered cars claiming the laurels at Sebring, the Nurbürgring and Goodwood. However the D-Type’s job would not be complete until it had taken the chequered flag first at Le Mans.
The ensuing victory at La Sarthe should have capped the D-Type’s season but, in the wake of the 1955 event’s disaster, celebrating Jaguar’s achievement would have been crass. Indeed, the question of whether the British machine would have won at all had Mercedes not retired its surviving fleet is still debated.
The car was vindicated by victories in 1956 and ‘57 for Scottish outfit Ecurie Ecosse, whose D-Types overcame works efforts from Ferrari and Aston Martin to achieve famous outright wins. Soon after, however, changes to sportscar racing’s regulations stipulating an engine limit of 3-litres ended the D-Type’s glory days.
Chassis XKD545 was completed in 1955 as a 3. 4-litre, short-nose customer-spec car and, after 300 miles of factory testing at MIRA, began a transatlantic voyage in December to the New York importer Max Hoffman. XKD545 stayed with Hoffman until it was purchased by its first owner, Jake Kaplan, in March 1956.
Wasting no time in using his example of a now-Le Mans winning car, Kaplan entered the pastel blue XKD545 at the ninth annual 12 Hours of Sebring. Brake problems limited its race to 120 of the eventual 194-lap distance, with a resulting classification of 31st. A second retirement at Montgomery with new owner George Constantine was followed by a third-place place at Thompson Raceway.
Constantine then took XKD545 to an impressive overall win at the 1956 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, securing the D-Type its rightful place in American racing history. He later scored seventh overall at the Nassau Trophy amidst a field that included the likes of Moss, Fitch and Hill, while his wife Mary also campaigned XKD545 in the Bahamas Week Ladies Race.
At this point XKD545 was retired from top-level race meetings and given a sabbatical from motorsport until September 1957. When Constantine sold the car in 1958 it began a life of recreational use while also successfully competing at club events. Active in every decade since, its recent outings have shown XKD545 to be one of the fastest surviving D-Types.
With a colourful period history and offered in a remarkably race-ready condition, XKD545 represents a fantastic opportunity to join the exclusive club of D-Type owners.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

Capots Vintage, a specialist in classic and prestige cars in Lyon, today offers you a very beautiful British Jaguar Coupé: a 1958 XK150 SE (for Special Equipment) Coupé in 3.4L version with 220 hp. The car has passed through the hands of discerning collectors who are perfectionists of detail. The body was completely ...

12,000
22 Feb 2024
France

Auto in perfette condizioni, da collezione, iscritta ASI. Sono il secondo proprietario. Assistenza specializzata Jaguar dimostrabili con fatture. Ultimo intervento meccanico: montaggio batteria nuova nel Gennaio 2023.Kilometri percorsi 57000. Bollo di circa 500 euro pagato fino a Agosto 2024. Colore nero, interni pelle ...

8 Feb 2024
Italy
Private
16
Picture of 1958 Jaguar XK150 DHC. Fully restored and upgraded to 3.8 S. - For Sale

1958 Jaguar XK150 DHC. Presented in white coachwork with red leather interior, black mohair soft top. LHD. Automatic transmission . Upgraded engine to 3.8 S Spec. This car was purchased in the US from a renowned US dealer Hyman Classic Cars for $162,500. They stated that the car had a ground up nut and bolt restoration ...

28 Mar 2024
London
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)

1981 Jaguar XJS 5.3 HE V12 Only 37,000 miles with FSH 2 keepers and Been in our family from new Started Life as a coupe and was professionally converted to a convertible by a specialist company in 1995 at the cost of £7000 which makes it a 4 seater Convertible Strengthened floors and sills Only being sold due ...

37,000
10 Mar 2024
Worcestershire
Private

For Sale: Jaguar XK150 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe Automatic Year 1960 Original delivered in USA, since 2015 on Dutch plates. Very well maintance car, good running order! Beautifull Red color, with a perfect red leather interior. Chrome wirewheels, fitted with new tires. Perfect condition, no work to do and ...

94,933
7 Feb 2024
Netherlands

1978 JAGUAR XJ-S PRE HE FACTORY MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM NEW UK MATCHING NUMBERS JAGUAR TRACE CERTIFICATE WHITE / BLACK LEATHER 309th BUILT OF 352 69,000 MILES UNUSED SINCE 1998 LAST MOT 2007 VERY RARE VEHICLE NEEDS RENOVATION / RECOMMISSIONING SOLID VEHICLE ONE OF THE LAST PRODUCED TOTAL BODY RESTORATION ...

69,000
28 Mar 2024
Gloucestershire

REDUCED! This is a private sale and, the Jaguar is as good as it looks! 1961 Jaguar MkIX, 6 cylinder XK engine of 3781cc, twin S.U. carburettors, manual with overdrive in black. Sheer opulence amongst the light grey leather, wood veneers and carpeting with folding tables built into the back of the front seats. Manual sunroof. ...

39,931
22 Feb 2024
Lincolnshire
Private
20
Picture of 1969 JAGUAR E TYPE S2 4.2 ROADSTER – ULEZ EXEMPT - For Sale

The S2 is so much more developed compared to earlier 3.8s and with a great gearbox but still retaining the delicacy of the 1960s Style. We are delighted to offer this matching numbers Jaguar E-Type Series II Roadster onto the market. 44 PXF is still in its original colour of Silver Grey with Black upholstery and although ...

500
4 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Premium Dealer (see stock)

Capots Vintage, the classic and prestige car specialist in Lyon, is proud to present a true work of art: a Jaguar E2A Evocation, inspired by Jaguar's second "E2A" prototype, which gave birth to the famous E-Type. This unique car, based on the E-Type, was built over 2 years between 2018 and 2020 by the renowned French coachbuilder ...

24,800
7 Feb 2024
France

Jaguar XK140 SE Drophead 1956 Left Hand Drive Totally Restored This very exciting Jaguar XK140 SE Drop head Coupe was supplied new to Mr R.J.Kulm, of Long Island New York. Supplied new in left hand drive format, the car was first painted in Cream with Red trim and a Black hood covering. The car was repatriated back ...

123
28 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)
6
Picture of 1974 Late Model E-Type V12 Roadster - For Sale

A stunning UK supplied vehicle 1974 registered Series 3 Roadster which has been the subject of much recent work. Recent invoices totaling nearly £30,000 demonstrate that no stone has been left unturned with this car. Previously sold by us and due to lack of storage remains in the hands of the current keeper - therefore ...

28 Mar 2024
Sussex
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)

Unfinished project, need the space. No offers, I've spent more than the asking price on it and this one is a lot better than most advertised for more money. Paint is rough, interior is good, needs sills plus other bits probably. Injection system needs sorting to run will need to be trailered away. Started fitting a series ...

83,000
23 Mar 2024
Devon
Private

Jaguar XJ 3. 2 V8 Sport A Stunning Example Finished in Sea Frost Metallic with Full Barley Leather Trim. Supplied New By Hartwell Jaguar on the 11th June 1999 Luxury Throughout with Electric Front Seats, Full Front and Rear Heated Seats, Boot Mounted Multi Disc CD, Wood/ Leather Steering Wheel, New XJR Exhaust Tips ...

79,000
19 Mar 2024
Wales
Private

RARE OPPORTUNITY FILM STAR COMEDY LEGEND TERRY THOMAS THIS BEING THE LAST VEHICLE HE OWNED 1975 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN 3.4 LWB AUTOMATIC BLUE VELOUR INTERIOR PASSED OWNERSHIP OVER TOO HIS NIECE IN 1984 PURCHASED DIRECT FROM HERSELF FULL WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION STORED INSIDE THROUGHOUT FULL SUN ROOF NEEDS RENOVATION ALL ...

90,000
27 Mar 2024
Gloucestershire

This car is practically immaculate inside and out. Sat Nav, Built in Hands Free, ULEZ compliant, electric front seats, Air Con. Just under 1 year MOT, 2 keys, 12 stamped services in the log book. New battery in 2023. Bodywork It had a few age related scratches that have been fixed otherwise bodywork is near ...

125,000
17 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Private

Carmen Red with Red leather, Original UK RHD OTS matching numbers example, Originally supplied by Jaguar Dealer Rossleigh of Scotland to Mr Owen on the 2nd February 1962 and registered 309 WK, This incredible bespoke Semi-Lightweight recreation was built by renowned Jaguar specialist Jim Rothwell of Rothwell Engineering ...

5,000
27 Mar 2024
Sussex
Verified Dealer (see stock)

For sale is a lovely 2002 Jaguar XK8 (X100), in Brooklands Green over Oatmeal, with low miles and low owners, excellent service history and... well, just look at it! The XK8 comes with Jaguar's own AJ-V8 4.0 V8 petrol engine, mated to a ZF 5-speed automatic 'J-gate' gearbox. It is whisper-quiet at idle, yet sounds better ...

84,000
18 Mar 2024
Devon

1971 JAGUAR XJ6 Series I 2.8 Auto *ULEZ EXEMPT* Finished in immaculate Old English White with black hide. Only 2 owners from new, the last a British Airways Captain who had the car in storage since 1982 after using it and maintaining it to a very high standard after purchasing it 1975. Now fully recommissioned and ready ...

60,000
27 Mar 2024
Norfolk