2012-11-13 11:29:15 | Pekka T. writes:

D-type replica to be auctioned on Nov. 14th 2012:

auctioneer's description

c.1962 Jaguar D-Type Replica Chassis no. 301299BW Engine no. ZA4083-8
Estimate: £16,000 - 18,000
€20,000 - 22,000
US$ 25,000 - 29,000
Footnotes
'This 190mph technical masterpiece, designed, built and prepared totally within Jaguar, was to achieve a hat-trick of spectacular Le Mans victories in the 1950s.' - Paul Skilleter, Jaguar: The Sporting Heritage.

Jaguar's multiple Le Mans wins in the 1950s - twice with the C-Type and three times with its D-Trype successor - as well as numerous victories in the other great classic endurance events, have ensured a continuing healthy demand for replicas of these rare and exotic sports-racers. This particular replica of Jaguar's legendary Le Mans-winning D-Type uses a body/chassis kit supplied by Realm Engineering, this being the name of the company that developed the highly acclaimed LR Roadsters RAM replicas of the AC Cobra as well as its own versions of the Jaguar C-Type, D-Type and XKSS. Based almost exclusively on Jaguar running gear, unlike some of its rivals, the RAM LM was described by Kit Cars & Specials magazine as having 'undisputed mechanical integrity,' and was reckoned 'one of the most desirable replicas we have yet laid our hands on.' The factory claimed a performance, depending on engine tune, of 0-60mph in approximately 5.9 seconds and a maximum speed in overdrive top approaching 150mph, stunning figures even by today's standards. Constructed around a tubular-steel backbone spaceframe chassis, the LR Roadsters D-Type featured steel-braced glassfibre bodywork in the long nose, long fin, passenger-carrying style with full-width windscreen first seen on the works Le Mans cars in 1955.

Purchased by the current vendor from a deceased's estate around one year ago, '7557 SF' is powered by a 4.2-litre XK six, which is coupled to a Mk2 overdrive gearbox, and takes its identity from a Jaguar MkX. All the mechanical work has been done and the body painted, leaving the electrical wiring and interior trim still to do. The engine has not been run since it was rebuilt at a cost - we are advised - of £5,000. Left uncompleted because of its owner's advancing years, the car is offered with Swansea V5.
Lot heading
c.1962 Jaguar D-Type Replica
Registration no. 7557 SF
Chassis no. 301299BW
Engine no. ZA4083-8