1963/80 Jaguar C-Type Evocation

Lot details
Registration No: FAS 477
Chassis No: 163053D/N
Mot Expiry: June 2005

An inspection during viewing will confirm for yourself that this Jaguar C Type replica has been very well made indeed. Using a steel chassis constructed by the founder of leading Jag rep specialists Proteus, this well executed re-creation with 1963 registration is the first of two such sportscars which were started in 1980 as part of a project to produce such C Types in ready-built form. Completed for the previous owner by Sullivan Engineering, this particular example was employed as the show model in the company's original sales brochure, a copy of which should be in the documents file.
Unlike so many replicas, which have GRP bodywork, in this case the Proteus chassis has been fitted with panels all of which have been fashioned from aluminium, including the doors, the rear sections braced with alloy stiffeners like the 1953 Le Mans winning C Type and the bonnet, which was renewed in 2004 and fitted with an original Jaguar badge. The inside of both the wings and the bonnet section have been silver painted and treated to minimise stone chips, whilst the exterior was last repainted only last year in period authentic British Racing Green and is described by only the second owner today as being still as new.
Over the last two years, the Monaco resident tells us that the open two-seater has been the subject of an extensive, though at the same time sympathetic renovation, which has involved a complete overhaul, both cosmetic and mechanical. The car has also been rewired with new battery fitted, while
the 3.8-litre engine, sourced from a 1963 E Type, has been stripped, rebuilt and blueprinted. With Burton high-lift camshafts beneath polished cam covers, balanced internals and triple twin-trumpet Weber 45 DCOE9 carburettors on a new alloy inlet manifold, the motor is claimed now to produce an impressive 290bhp, which equates to approximately 250bhp net.
The alloy radiator has been newly built, too, and is claimed to be to exact 1953 Le Mans spec. The gearbox employed is a four-speed all-synchromesh unit with electrically-operated `fifth gear' overdrive, which, along with the engine, are said to have done less than 2500 miles, making them nicely run-in. The rest of the transmission consists of a solid live rear axle and a 3.33 limited slip differential.
Front suspension is Mk2 Jaguar with springs renewed. Dunlop disc brakes all round have been fitted and the pads are said to be carbon-fibre. The 16ins diameter wire wheels are new apparently and have been freshly shod with Avon Turbospeeds. There is an extra centre lamp behind the grille and, in addition to the full-width minimalist windscreen, a tonneau cover is included.
Both handling and performance are said to be excellent and the charismatic 1950s style sports-racer is reportedly able to achieve a zero to 60mph time of under six seconds, whilst on a journey with overdrive deployed fuel economy is claimed to be around 30mpg. The 4990 miles displayed on the
odometer when entered for the sale are declared by the vendor to be the genuine total for the rep since completion.
This well presented and likely to be mechanically sound C Type replica is UK registered and has a current V5. Having had a 1963-dated donor car to start with, FAS 477 is also accepted as an historic vehicle and therefore qualifies for a free tax disc, the latest on the car valid until the end of July. The
current MOT certificate will be valid until June.