Masten Gregory C-Type XKC015 - What happened?
Discussion
Like most of the classic racing cars XKC 015 is a bit of a bitsa C Type. Originally delivered to the USA in October 1952, it was extensively damaged in 1953 when it caught fire whilst being campaigned by Marsten Gregory at the Floyd Bennet Races. It was then sold to Tage Hansen in 1953 who rebuilt it. It was then resold in 1958 and 1961. The car was subsequently aquired by Mark Daniels in 1964 who then carried out an extensive renovation using the XKC 034 bonnet and mid body sections. Was then resold in 1984.
Not quite as chequered a history as XKC 016, which failed to make its £800,000 - £1,000,000 reserve at Bonhams Goodwood auction recently. Amazing what one can find in a French barn if one looks hard enough and for that matter long enough.
As for XKC 003. Proteous anyone?
Where is the ROFL smiley when one needs one?
Not quite as chequered a history as XKC 016, which failed to make its £800,000 - £1,000,000 reserve at Bonhams Goodwood auction recently. Amazing what one can find in a French barn if one looks hard enough and for that matter long enough.
As for XKC 003. Proteous anyone?
Where is the ROFL smiley when one needs one?
Well Freddie, I've written an article about XKC 003 but to give you a clue as to my conclusions the editor threw it out because it was a bit - ahem - litigeous, shall we say. but then I am a doubting Thomas by nature, and the car is clearly shown in all my Jaguar annals as being dismantled in 1952. However, in the defence of the car, it was imported from Switzerland to France in January 1961 and the french Carte grise (V5) clearly states that this is chassis XKC 003 - I hope you can read the copy I've attached here:-
Additionally, the owner states that while the car has a 3.8 litre engine in at the present time he has the correct original engine to be sold with the car. So the whole thing is interesting, but for me why is he trying to sell it on the usual sites with ordinary cars, and has contacted various people world-wide to ask where to advertise it, if it is that important? Surely the only place would be an important auction house and a suitable upmarket auction.
I've looked at various photos of the car and while it is in no way definitive, the brakes and wheels aren't right and nor is the bonnet, but then they could have been changed anytime, like any racing car. Time will tell - I believe that certain Jaguar experts have demanded to scrutinise the car.
Anyway, it isn't the oldest C-type - I have the 1952 droop snoot here which is XKC 002
Additionally, the owner states that while the car has a 3.8 litre engine in at the present time he has the correct original engine to be sold with the car. So the whole thing is interesting, but for me why is he trying to sell it on the usual sites with ordinary cars, and has contacted various people world-wide to ask where to advertise it, if it is that important? Surely the only place would be an important auction house and a suitable upmarket auction.
I've looked at various photos of the car and while it is in no way definitive, the brakes and wheels aren't right and nor is the bonnet, but then they could have been changed anytime, like any racing car. Time will tell - I believe that certain Jaguar experts have demanded to scrutinise the car.
Anyway, it isn't the oldest C-type - I have the 1952 droop snoot here which is XKC 002
Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 4th November 07:58
That's not an import document Ken, but the french equivalent of our V5 and is issued by the préfecture where you live. You'll note that the car was registered as XKC 003 on 1/1/61, so it isn't a recently "found" car. Only time, with the input of people far more knowledgeable than me, will tell if this is actually a car that was thought to have been dismantled but actually wan't. From what I have heard it was partly disassembled but put back together again in Switzerland before being sold to France in 1961. Truth of fiction? one day we'll find out, but the majority opinion is on the negative side at the moment.
lowdrag said:
but for me why is he trying to sell it on the usual sites with ordinary cars, and has contacted various people world-wide to ask where to advertise it, if it is that important? Surely the only place would be an important auction house and a suitable upmarket auction.
To be devil's advocate for a moment, maybe he doesn't want 25% plus extracted by the auction house by the time they have their Buyer's premium and Selling Commission.Lowdrag - any views on XKC015?
The basic question one must ask oneself is "has the car provenance"? This car has this in spades with a continuous history from the day it was built to date. Yes, it had a bad accident and caught fire, but then how many racing cars are completely original? As I asked one contestant in a concours when he complained about me deducting points, where did he find the 1961 air to pump up the tyres?
The problem with the sale of this car is that it would seem that the reserve price was set too high. A C-type was sold at auction earlier this year for £1.5 million, but curiously it seems that today people don't like to be seen to "splash the cash" at auction, and cars on sale by private treaty are fetching more than at auction. So to answer your question, it is the original XKC 015 without doubt. As to what the value is, well, it is what the market will stand and it certainly, in this case anyway, wouldn't stand what the vendor was asking.
The problem with the sale of this car is that it would seem that the reserve price was set too high. A C-type was sold at auction earlier this year for £1.5 million, but curiously it seems that today people don't like to be seen to "splash the cash" at auction, and cars on sale by private treaty are fetching more than at auction. So to answer your question, it is the original XKC 015 without doubt. As to what the value is, well, it is what the market will stand and it certainly, in this case anyway, wouldn't stand what the vendor was asking.
heh heh heh 
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