1952 "droop snoot" C type
Discussion
Well, Silverstone has come and gone and here are a few photos of the car there. It still isn't quite finished but will be by the end of the month. Things like painting the switches black, fitting the centre bonnet catch and a few other things but most of all sorting out the oil surge that occurred under cornering. We are putting more baffles in the sump to overcome it. Lastly, I got the door autgraphed by Norman Dewis and Sir Stirling and those are being laquered in to save them for posterity.
Nick_F said:
Looks simply lovely, but there's still something odd about that rear registration - must be the photos.
The font and size are exactly as in the day Nick, but the other thing we scratched our head about was the compulsory number plate light.. We then painted the number there so the racing running light can be turned around to illuminate the plate!A good question, but it all come back to Edmund Hilary; "because it was there". As a Jaguar historian and journalist I was intrigued as to why Jaguar won in 1951/3/5/6/7 with a 2nd in 1954 but - 1952? So, seven years back began a search brought on in the beginning by curiosity really and so I discovered the long tail c type of which only three were made and of which none exist. However, the more I researched the more I realised that the car had been damned out of hand for no real reason, especially after talking to Norman Dewis who told me that after a few modifications the car did 6 hours at MIRA with no overheating. Now as a true Brit I support the underdog, and decided to sell one of my Lynx D types to fund the construction of this car, except that this car is a "real" C type with FIA papers, not an E type with a new skin as is a Lynx D type. The car will appear in Octane tested by Tony Dron at the end of September I believe so for an unbiased view read his evaluation of the car but while the "ordinary" C type is the one well known there are things about this car that make it an important car in its own right. It was slippery; it needed 12 less bhp to run at 100mph than a standard C type. It was more economical as a result. Finally, the car in many ways is the "missing link" between the C & D type, just like E1A was the first prototype between the D and E. The mouth, without the grille, is pure short nose D and the headlamp nascelles are from a short nose D too. I could go on about the shape but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if you prefer the standard shell (as I guess most do as well) there are some real Jaguar specialists who took the time to seek me out at Silverstone to shake my hand after seeing the car.
But I make excuses really. It takes nuts like me to take the risk and to go that extra yard just to make ourselves smile, and I was really smiling at Silverstone I can tell you. Roll on next year and Le Mans Classic when we can really test the car!
But if you have to blame someone point the finger at Chris Rea. In 1996 he recreated the Ferrari shark nose F1 car, plans of which existed but not an iota of a real car - but he built one just the same. It was his inspiration that gave me the encouragement to go for it purely by his actions because we have never met or spoken. Here's Stirling at the wheel. I didn't go into this for the money and if history repeats itself (like Chris Rea's car) then I'll have lost a lot of money but hey - we only pass this way once. I've built a house which I designed and now recreated a car, the only existing one of its type in the world; how many people can say they have done that?
But I make excuses really. It takes nuts like me to take the risk and to go that extra yard just to make ourselves smile, and I was really smiling at Silverstone I can tell you. Roll on next year and Le Mans Classic when we can really test the car!
But if you have to blame someone point the finger at Chris Rea. In 1996 he recreated the Ferrari shark nose F1 car, plans of which existed but not an iota of a real car - but he built one just the same. It was his inspiration that gave me the encouragement to go for it purely by his actions because we have never met or spoken. Here's Stirling at the wheel. I didn't go into this for the money and if history repeats itself (like Chris Rea's car) then I'll have lost a lot of money but hey - we only pass this way once. I've built a house which I designed and now recreated a car, the only existing one of its type in the world; how many people can say they have done that?
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 10th August 17:43
Gnostic Ascent said:
The front and the sides are also different to a "normal" C-type....
Then your eyes deceive you somewhat! The car is pure standard C type between the tops of the wheel arches. it is only the tail and nose that are different. If you look at a photo of a standard C type and my cockpit there is not one iota of difference. As regards the doors, well, there is one of the three where we have worked out that there was a passenger door but it had been welded shut since Le Mans regs only required one door! There is another C type like this in existance. No Jaguar never wasted manoey and the car was just a hastily penned and built effort at aerodynamism, pure and simple.
well, if you say so. The car, between the wheelarches is identical in all respects to the standard C type. It is only the front of the bonnet and the tail that differ.Well, in which case you really didn't see Andy's workmanship which is beneath the skin. Andy built the car up to body level and from there on CKL called the shots. Andy is a lovely fellow, no doubt, but even he had no idea of the existence of this car before I showed him the photos. I guess that since this thread had begun those who log in have become a bit blasé about the whole thing, but remember that if we are are 100 here then that leaves a few million who don't know this car has - and does - exist. Andy is a brilliant builder, take it from me.
Supposed to have been easy to handle and very good in action, setting many a fastest time down. Good suspension and brilliant headlamps. Like Goodwood, attracted plenty of stars and highly placed people. Many people couldn't hold a candle in the wind to it apparently. Have no idea if Norma was annoyed by the story of blue underpants like a more modern Norma. Overall, a much missed obsolete model which set many a record in its day.
Great track day at Goodwood and here's a photo of Chris using the car to give a charity ride. Received the call today from Goodwood and am invited to do the parade laps for Stirling's 80th so the car will be on display all three days at Goodwood and seen on the track. All we have to do is change the number to 17 for the event and then back again.
Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 3rd September 15:30
Well, it only remains to say that my flabber is truly ghasted! Today I received a call from Goodwood and Sir Stirling himself is to do several laps with the car on Saturday morning at Goodwood. On Sunday morning the car is to do several laps for charity and I have been asked to drive but I have ceded the right to the man who built it and has driven many a C-type. Perhaps, just perhaps, this car might even be invited to race one day at Goodwood. Now it just remains, since I lost confidence in my ability some years ago when I wrote off the Ferrari, to take lessons again and maybe I'll be there with the glitterati too. What is sure and certain is that I have passes to be in the drivers enclosure with the drivers, the high and mighty. I never thought that this simple replica, which after all it surely is, could lead me to such lengths. I am beyond belief. Photos will be published when I have come back from the moon.
Someone from America sent me this video reference. The only one I know with the #19 in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXoRmzD7jhE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXoRmzD7jhE
Thank you all for your kind comments. To paraphrase Johnny Cash, today is "Monday morning coming down" but I shall have later plenty of photos of Stirling driving, myself doing the parade as well as plenty of stories to recount. My friends had strict instructions! It was a weekend that left me in a daze and memories for the moment are but a haze. I'll need time to recollect my thoughts and get to terms with how what, at the very base of things, is but a replica ended up invited to the most prestigeous classic meeting in the world and was chosen for Stirling to drive. Moreover, how it received such glowing comments from serious members of the racing car fraternity present. Just give me time please.
Coming down and photos are trickling in from friends. The passenger in the above photo said that Stirling started slowly enough but on the third lap was up to 115mph on the Lavant straight but smooth as anything. When he came back in to the paddock his comment made me laugh; "I'd forgotten about double declutching"! More anon.
muppetboy said:
Thought you might like this picture on the thread Lowdrag. Bought at Le mans a few years back and only was only after the Octane I realised what it was.
No, that was my passenger taking the photo. Of all things, especially as I am a photographer, I was astounded at the quality taken with a point and press. I gave my little Fuji F200 to my passenger and just told her to press away. Most were rubbish of course but this in particular was excellent quality. it's a great little camera (I bought it for the wide angle really) except that you only get about 140 shots on a charge. I use it for my paddock shots now rather than carry the D3 and 12/24 or 24/70 - my editors don't seem to complain anyway! But then most of the small pocket size cameras are pretty good now I guess.
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