Jaguar C Types?
Discussion
So what is there to choose between the various C type replicas/recreations (Proteus, Lynx, Racing Green, Suffolk, CJR, TWR etc)? Most of them claim to be dimensionally perfect; suspension and engine options vary, but which a) the most historically accurate, and b) the one to have (for someone to whom FIA acceptance isn't a consideration)?
I don't think there is likely to be a "Racing Green" C-Type anymore. Peter and Chris aren't there any more. The ads for Racing Green in the rags seem to have less and less classics on there days. Whether Peter could source one for you from Oz where they came from (much of it built in NZ) I don't know. They setup on there own as Winspeed Motor Sport.
http://www.winspeedmotorsport.com/home.php
http://www.winspeedmotorsport.com/home.php
I don't think anyone has updated this website in a long time. Peterh is Peter Hugo and he left Racing Green Cars at the tail end of last year. He is now sales@winspeedmotorsport.com I haven't spoken to him for a few weeks, or seen them since Chris helped me so much down at Goodwood sorting the brakes on my XK150.
Lowdrag is the expert on C-Type recreation.
Lowdrag is the expert on C-Type recreation.
Bad pennies and all that..........;)
Now really I could write a book on all the options available, but it really comes down to the price you have in mind, but nowadays it seems that any old plastic C-type replica second hand starts at around £45,000.
Suffolk build a nice car and with Roger you'll know it has been properly built and bits won't fall off. For me the only downside is that it is fibre, not alloy, but then you gets what you pays for, as they say.
Not far from the price of a Suffolk you can get a full alloy car, like an Enduro or a Proteus of the old school, although prices are really moving up at a gallop, not a crawl. See my thread on "has the market peaked". Personally I prefer all alloy because it feels right, but then I am somewhat of a purist and really, when you come down to it, it doesn't really matter. after all, parked up at the pub who's to know?
Once you get into the realms of the top echelon of replicas, which include Proteus and Lynx, both in their old and new incarnations, you are moving into serious money. £85,000 buys you a new Proteus C-type but while there may still be a car around on Webers or SU's in future they will all be fuel injected. Not my cup of tea.
Lynx in it's old form made but five C-types, and they, despite not really being a proper C-type underneath, sell for around £120,000 due to the name and rarity. Maybe more now the way the market is moving. The new Lynx C-type is the Andy Thomas technology when he ran Classic Chassis, and it's a shame more didn't order from him in those days because a fully FIA papered car was available at just £95,000, but now it is far dearer at Lynx - £135,000.
Coming down to earth, are you gifted mechanically? Could you build one yourself? Then why not have a look here:-
http://www.realmengineering.com/c-type.html
They'll build it for you if not. Really, I could go on and on, but the Proteus is a quality alloy car but at a price. the Lynx even more so, but we all have to cut our coat according to our cloth, don't we? Me? I'd probably look around for a decent Proteus of the Jim Marland era in alloy. Enduro cars (Proteus under a different name) turn up too:-
http://www.beaulieugarage.co.uk/stock/enduro/index...
Of course, if you are feeling like pushing the boat out you could make me an offer for mine
Seriously, there is a conflict in your post. Historically accurate means a new Lynx or a car like mine. Let's be clear that many C-type are not dimensionally accurate because they use a Mk2 rear axle which is 2" too wide. Nearly all have independant rear suspension too. But, if I was asked to choose, I'd buy a car that would have aficionados nodding that you have chosen wisely. If it isn't a new Proteus then I'd go for history. Look no further than here:-
http://www.oldracingcar.co.uk/products/proteus-c-t...
Edit:- The Racing Green cars were around £90,000 and are built by David Brown in NZ. Shows how much I am out of the loop over here because I had no idea Peter had left Racing Green.
Now really I could write a book on all the options available, but it really comes down to the price you have in mind, but nowadays it seems that any old plastic C-type replica second hand starts at around £45,000.
Suffolk build a nice car and with Roger you'll know it has been properly built and bits won't fall off. For me the only downside is that it is fibre, not alloy, but then you gets what you pays for, as they say.
Not far from the price of a Suffolk you can get a full alloy car, like an Enduro or a Proteus of the old school, although prices are really moving up at a gallop, not a crawl. See my thread on "has the market peaked". Personally I prefer all alloy because it feels right, but then I am somewhat of a purist and really, when you come down to it, it doesn't really matter. after all, parked up at the pub who's to know?
Once you get into the realms of the top echelon of replicas, which include Proteus and Lynx, both in their old and new incarnations, you are moving into serious money. £85,000 buys you a new Proteus C-type but while there may still be a car around on Webers or SU's in future they will all be fuel injected. Not my cup of tea.
Lynx in it's old form made but five C-types, and they, despite not really being a proper C-type underneath, sell for around £120,000 due to the name and rarity. Maybe more now the way the market is moving. The new Lynx C-type is the Andy Thomas technology when he ran Classic Chassis, and it's a shame more didn't order from him in those days because a fully FIA papered car was available at just £95,000, but now it is far dearer at Lynx - £135,000.
Coming down to earth, are you gifted mechanically? Could you build one yourself? Then why not have a look here:-
http://www.realmengineering.com/c-type.html
They'll build it for you if not. Really, I could go on and on, but the Proteus is a quality alloy car but at a price. the Lynx even more so, but we all have to cut our coat according to our cloth, don't we? Me? I'd probably look around for a decent Proteus of the Jim Marland era in alloy. Enduro cars (Proteus under a different name) turn up too:-
http://www.beaulieugarage.co.uk/stock/enduro/index...
Of course, if you are feeling like pushing the boat out you could make me an offer for mine
Seriously, there is a conflict in your post. Historically accurate means a new Lynx or a car like mine. Let's be clear that many C-type are not dimensionally accurate because they use a Mk2 rear axle which is 2" too wide. Nearly all have independant rear suspension too. But, if I was asked to choose, I'd buy a car that would have aficionados nodding that you have chosen wisely. If it isn't a new Proteus then I'd go for history. Look no further than here:-
http://www.oldracingcar.co.uk/products/proteus-c-t...
Edit:- The Racing Green cars were around £90,000 and are built by David Brown in NZ. Shows how much I am out of the loop over here because I had no idea Peter had left Racing Green.
Edited by lowdrag on Sunday 4th July 09:11
Thanks Tony. The self-build option is one worth considering, but I thought that the kit options available were all too far from original, dimensionally. Period authenticity isn't most important, but it has to look right. Getting a self-built one registered in France could also prove troublesome...
I had a customer interested in the Demo car which I tested,it was bloody awful.I found out Williams and his numpties had bought an old jim marlin car on one of his NZ jaunts and stripped it without noting any of the geometry settings etc. I offered to set it up for them.
Some months later he phoned me to say he had sorted it himself, buy cutting/shortening and re welding the uprights
fk me that is dangerous, so dangerous infact I suggested the client didn`t bother.Wiliams is still doing it.Obviously he knows more than Jim Marlin does.I`ve seen one of the new Polish Lynx D which is getting there but...............
Realm, Andrian Cocking has been around for years. Its a tough market but his cars available are good as home re builds.He doesn`t take risks .
Some months later he phoned me to say he had sorted it himself, buy cutting/shortening and re welding the uprights
fk me that is dangerous, so dangerous infact I suggested the client didn`t bother.Wiliams is still doing it.Obviously he knows more than Jim Marlin does.I`ve seen one of the new Polish Lynx D which is getting there but...............
Realm, Andrian Cocking has been around for years. Its a tough market but his cars available are good as home re builds.He doesn`t take risks .
Sorry to hammer home the point Paul, but the Polish cars are Proteus, not Lynx. They would be the first to admit that the first shells that came through weren't very good, but under Jim Marland's expert eye they are, as you say, now getting there. The Lynx cars, a completely different kettle of fish, will be completely built in England. It'll be interesting to see in a few years how values stack up between the new and the old.
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 5th July 12:49
Doofus said:
So this is defunct?
a8hex said:
I don't think anyone has updated this website in a long time. Peterh is Peter Hugo and he left Racing Green Cars at the tail end of last year. He is now sales@winspeedmotorsport.com I haven't spoken to him for a few weeks, or seen them since Chris helped me so much down at Goodwood sorting the brakes on my XK150.
Lowdrag is the expert on C-Type recreation.
I've just had a chat with Peter while calling to discuss brakes with Chris and Peter would be more than happy to talk about C-Types. Lowdrag is the expert on C-Type recreation.
naturals said:
Does anyone know of any build diaries of these online? Aside lowdrag's that is...
I have just finished building a Realm C-Type. Its cost me £16,000 so far and its almost finished. It is GRP but when you consider that an aluminium C-Type bonnet is £9,000 its doesnt look too bad! I have a photographic build and can email you the pics if you like.Here are a few to go on with:
Edited by Lax Power on Tuesday 20th July 16:39
Edited by Lax Power on Tuesday 20th July 17:41
Lax Power said:
naturals said:
Does anyone know of any build diaries of these online? Aside lowdrag's that is...
I have just finished building a Realm C-Type. Its cost me £16,000 so far and its almost finished. It is GRP but when you consider that an aluminium C-Type bonnet is £9,000 its doesnt look too bad! I have a photographic build and can email you the pics if you like.Here are a few to go on with:
Edited by Lax Power on Tuesday 20th July 16:39
Edited by Lax Power on Tuesday 20th July 17:41
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