Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
1993 Jaguar XJ13 Re-creation by Proteus
Estimate
£140, 000 - £160, 000
Registration No: PBT 55
Chassis No: 726352DN
MOT: January 2026
Jaguar V12 engine, six Weber carburettors, Rob Beere cylinder heads all mated to a 5-speed ZF gearbox
Known ownership history including our very own Mr John Markey
Driven around Goodwood and used on a number of tours in France
Fitted with aluminium and glassfibre bodywork
Professionally built evocation of Jaguar's legendary one-off sports prototype
“So beautifully put together that it almost hurts to think of it as a replica…”
Complete Car, September 1994
Created between 1965 and 1966, the original XJ13 sports prototype was designed to enable a return to Le Mans by the factory where both the works team and private entries had enjoyed five victories during the 1950s. Sadly, development of the design took longer than expected and by the time it was ready in March 1967, the opposition had moved on. Extensively tested at the MIRA proving ground, the XJ13 achieved a speed of 161. 6mph – then the highest lap speed ever recorded at an enclosed British circuit. Subsequently put into storage at the factory, the car re-emerged in 1971 to take part in filming, again at MIRA, to help publicise the launch of the new V12-engined Series III E-Type. Driven by Jaguar's legendary test driver Norman Dewis, rear wheel issue caused the car to crash heavily, thankfully without serious injury to its driver who was saved by the strength of the monocoque chassis. Subsequently rebuilt by Abbey Panels, the car would remain with Jaguar following completion in 1973, leaving unanswered questions of what might have been if the ill-fated programme had come to fruition sooner.
It is of no surprise therefore that the seed was sown in the mind of Jim Marland of Proteus fame to construct a replica of the fabled original and a small number were to be produced in the early 1990s. Ex-racing driver and H&H consultant, John Markey, then sales manager at Colbornes Garage in Surrey, was a friend of Marland’s and already had a Proteus C-Type as a fun road car and having seen the stunning results of the 13 in the metal he decided he had to build one to race. Unfortunately, the planned racing series for mid-engined replicas never materialised and so John, along with business partner Peter Colborne-Baber, got together with Proteus to develop a limited production design which featured part alloy, part-GRP bodywork, part space-frame and part monocoque chassis and mechanicals sourced from a donor car but just a handful would be produced.
Completed in 1992, PBT 55 was one such example whose specification included a Jaguar V12 engine stroked to 6. 3-litres and developing some 350 bhp, six Weber carburettors, Rob Beere cylinder heads and 5-speed heavy-duty ZF transaxle as per the original car. The car was to be retained by Colbornes on completion and featured in a number of magazine articles at the time including a memorable 1993 run down to Goodwood in company with a Proteus C and D-Type where it was put through its paces by Willie Green. With a lightweight chassis weighing in at just 1120kg, performance was indeed impressive as was the care taken in the execution of the project and the high quality of the finished article. Resplendent in British Racing Green with correct style five spoke pattern wheels it could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
Having been with the vendor since 1997, who thought nothing of driving the car down to central France and competing in the Ralley des Ramparts at Angouleme, this stunning example is accompanied by a collection of invoices which include over £5, 000 spent on cylinder head work with CMC in 2019. A listing by date of mileage covered along with any notable work carried out is also present as is a current MOT. As a professionally built homage to Jaguar's one-off sports prototype it represents a rare and exciting opportunity to acquire not just a breathtaking piece of bespoke machinery but also the chance to experience the sensation of driving a faithful evocation of a true legend in Jaguar’s illustrious competition history.
