Built between 2005 and 2007, this tool room D-Type was built to the exact period
specification of Jaguar’s production D-Type. This specification was developed by the
factory with their prototype, which, completed by May 1954 travelled to France for a
Le Mans test session where Jaguar works driver Tony Rolt broke the lap record by five
seconds. Three D-Types were built that year for Le Mans, featuring the early ‘short
nose’ shape but with the addition of the iconic tailfin behind the headrest fairing.
Once completed, this car became the first ever tool room D-Type to receive an FIA
Technical passport. Built by Jerry Booen of D Type Developments Ltd. using his
collection of factory engineering drawings, the car was constructed in collaboration
with David Duffy, who had been a competitor for many years and previously owned
XKD 544.
The car was built to the exact factory specification for an early ‘short nose’ production
D-Type. The car uses a correct 3.4 litre XK engine built to early D-Type specification,
with dry sump and triple sandcast 45-DCO3 side-draught carburettors. The Dunlop disc
brakes use six-pot front calipers and four-pot rear calipers, powered by a Plessey
pump, exactly as in period.
It’s accuracy was further confirmed when it became part of the Jaguar Heritage
collection, which also owns other original D-Types. The car was used for JLR press and
promotional work including driving experience days.
In 2018 Jaguar Classic embarked on their D-Type Continuation project to create 25 allnew,
period correct sports cars. As they owned VTK 705, it was likely used as a
reference standard for the new project, and was sometimes (incorrectly) referred to in
the press as a Jaguar Classic continuation car. Jaguar themselves referred to a ‘Car
Zero’ as the pre-production prototype for the project, and the first Jaguar Classic
production Continuation Car as ‘Car Number One’ - a short-nose car finished in
Sherwood Green with Suede Green leather seats. Car Number One is now for sale with
Jaguar for £1,750,000. Eventually, Jaguar Classic built a total of nine Continuation Cars
in the early short-nose configuration, and sixteen in the later long-nose configuration.
Once Jaguar Classic had completed their D-Type Continuation series, VTK 705 was no
longer required. The car was quietly sold at auction, understandably with no reference
to its JLR history. In fact, since its creation the car has been part of several important
collections, including the James Hull Collection, Jaguar Heritage, and John Burton.
After recent preparation at CKL, it is now ready for it’s next owner. As the only tool
room copy D-Type to have been owned by Jaguar, the first to obtain an FIA HTP, and
with the benefit of being currently road registered - this car presents its new owner
with the opportunity to relive the glory days of 1950s sports car racing on both road
and track.