Skip to main content

Jaguar Relives Its Seven Le Mans Victories with these Iconic Race Car Tributes

This weekend, manufacturer race teams will gather in Le Mans, France to compete in the oldest (running) endurance race on the planet. In the 85 years since the race’s origin, a few select automakers have hoarded victories.

Porsche and Audi have been dominant forces, especially in recent years, but there was a time when Jaguar was unstoppable. To celebrate its seven wins over five decades, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works – a new facility dedicated to owners and enthusiasts of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles – has revealed tributes to three of the brand’s racing icons: the C-type, D-type, and XJR-9. All three of these cars are part of the Jaguar Heritage Trust’s collection, stored at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon.

Recommended Videos

“The Le Mans 24-Hours race holds a special place in the hearts of all Jaguar fans – it’s a test of endurance that Jaguar is proud to have won seven times,” said Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, Tim Hannig. “It’s only right that we celebrate those successes at the opening of Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works, 60 years since the outstanding performances of the D-type cars in 1957.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Each of these tribute vehicles left a mark on the race. 64 years ago, Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt earned Jaguar its second Le Mans win in the works C-Type. This was the first car to win Le Mans with disc brakes. Soon after, Jaguar road cars embraced the same technology.

Four years later, in 1957, Jaguar took every podium spot (along with fourth and sixth places) with its new D-Type race car. In years prior, no other manufacturer had achieved so many top place finishes.

It was 31 years before Jaguar would win Le Mans again, when three incredible drivers (Andy Wallace, Johnny Dumfries and Jan Lammers) piloted the Group C XJR-9 race car to a victory in 1988. Andy Wallace is now Jaguar Land Rover Classic’s Chief Test Driver.

To keep the celebration going this summer, five D-type cars will journey from Classic Works to the Concours d’Elegance at Hampton Court Place. The tour, which will include some of the 1957 Le Mans winning cars, will stop at Silverstone and at the home facility of the Panasonic Jaguar Racing Formula E team.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Mercedes-Benz reveals Concept AMG GT XX high-performance EV platform front runner
Mercedes concept boasts 1,3421 horsepower and 223 mph top speed
Mercedes-AMG Concept AMG GT XX left front three-quarter view.

The dramatically orange vehicle photos accompanying this article represent the future of Mercedes-Benz's performance EVs. Mercedes-AMG introduces the Concept AMG GT XX four-door sports car as the "first series-production model" of Mercedes's comprehensive AMG.EA high-performance architecture.

Mercedes-AMG did not reveal a price or production date, but didn't hold back on performance numbers. The Concept AMG GT XX has a combined 1,341 horsepower from three axial flux electric motors, 223 mph top speed, and the capability of charging 248 miles of range in about five minutes.
The tech behind the performance numbers

Read more
Summer heat killers: EVs with the least range loss
Recurrent tracked the effect of summer heat on more than 29,700 electric vehicles.
Ford Mustang Mach-E

Suppose you are considering an EV purchase or lease this summer and are concerned about battery range during heat waves. In that case, the results of a new study published by EV analytics firm Recurrent Auto can provide valuable guidance. Recurrent calls out the winners and losers in EV range hot temperature-sensitivity.

It's safe to say that EV battery range is affected by extremes in temperature, both hot and cold. As is the case with most general statements, that one, too, is subject to multiple "buts" and "howevers." Most studies of the effects of extreme cold on EV battery range or how hot temperatures can hamper your travel plans report on average EV travel range differences collected across a wide variety of EV brands and models. Some compile results from thousands of EVs of the same brand.

Read more
Indigenous designer Jeremy Arviso creates limited-edition Indian Motorcycle streetwear line
Arivso blends Indian Motorcycle DNA and indigenous visual elements
The Jeremy Arviso limited indigenous streetwear collection for Indian Motorcycle.

Indian Motorcycle announced a collaboration with well-known indigenous streetwear designer Jeremy Arviso. This limited-edition collection brings together Arviso’s bold style and the adventurous spirit of Indian Motorcycle. The nine-piece lineup celebrates a deep connection to land, community, and tradition.
Why Arviso created the collection

"Creating such a meaningful, modern expression of Native American style with a legendary brand like Indian Motorcycle, is both an honor and a  privilege,” Arviso said. “For this collection, I drew inspiration from the brand DNA of Indian Motorcycle, while carefully integrating vibrant color and  indigenous visual elements that symbolize movement and direction throughout the collection. Adorned with arrow motifs, each piece embodies a deep connection to land, community, and heritage.”

Read more