Car & Classic Premium Dealer

Classic Motor Hub

By Appointment Gloucestershire

1956 Jaguar D-Type For Sale

1956 Jaguar D-Type – XKD 526
The only D-Type to have been raced with a hard-top roof in period
Retains its original period hard top
Restored by marque experts CKL developments ltd in 2019
Delivered new to Australia where it was extensively and successfully campaigned in 1956 – 1962
The subject of a dedicated Porter Press book on the car
Eligible for Mille Miglia, Goodwood, Classic Le Mans and so much more
MODEL HISTORY
Although Jaguar can trace its roots back to the early 1920s, its sporting foundations were really established with its run of success at Le Mans during the 1950s. Having won the 24-hour endurance classic in 1951 and 1953 with its C-type, Jaguar then scored a hat-trick of victories in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with the iconic D-type.

But while those landmark results at La Sarthe are still rightly feted more than 60 years later, the D-type won all over the world – from Sebring and Reims to Nassau and Ardmore. It was driven by the greatest racers of the time, such as Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn, as well as by talented privateers, and achieved its success despite fierce opposition from rivals such as Mercedes-Benz, Maserati and Ferrari. It’s not surprising that it has become one of the most coveted of all sports-racing cars.

The D-type’s story begins in the early post-war years, when Jaguar’s small engineering team came up with a 3441cc, twin-overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine that was originally intended for use in a range of saloon cars. When it first appeared at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, however, it was fitted into a brand-new sports car that caused an absolute sensation – the XK 120.

This ground-breaking model became an international success story and was particularly instrumental in establishing Jaguar in the USA, but it was also a superb competition car. An exploratory outing to Le Mans in 1950 with a trio of XK 120s led to a return the following year with the newly developed XK 120C – better known as the C-type. Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead famously took victory, and two years later a second win followed courtesy of Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt.

The C-type had been designed by aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer, who had previously worked for the Bristol Aeroplane Company and brought with him a number of ideas from the aircraft industry. His distinctive way of plotting a car’s shape involved creating a set of co-ordinates, almost like an analogue version of computer-aided design, and he used this method for both the C-type and its illustrious successor.

Intended to continue the marque’s run of success at Le Mans, the D-type was introduced in 1954, when five cars were built – all for the factory team. Sayer had come up with a sublime shape, but there was cutting-edge engineering to go with the eye-catching beauty. Some of the C-type’s most notable features were carried over, such as its revolutionary disc brakes and rubber bag tanks, but the D-type added alloy wheels, a monocoque tub and – on later cars – fuel injection. The XK engine gained dry-sump lubrication and was carried in a front subframe to which the suspension and the steering system were mounted.

Development of the D-type continued throughout its period racing life, even after Jaguar itself had officially withdrawn from motorsport after the 1956 season. Sayer produced the ‘long nose’ body for the 1955 Le Mans cars, which also benefited from the more powerful ‘wide angle’ cylinder head, and for 1957 the engine capacity was increased from 3. 4 litres to 3. 8 litres, by which time a fuel-injection system had also been developed.

In addition to the works cars, Jaguar built a total of 67 D-types for private customers, of which 42 were sold; the remainder were either destroyed in the disastrous 1957 Browns Lane fire or converted into XKSSs. The ‘production’ D-types were sold all over the world and remained competitive into the 1960s, helping to cement the model’s reputation as perhaps the definitive sports-racing car of its time.

XKD 526 MODEL HISTORY
Only three of the Jaguar D-type were sold new to Australia, and XKD 526 was the first of them. Brisbane dealership Westco was run by the Anderson family and had been a Jaguar agent since 1947. A letter to the Jaguar factory dated 15 April 1955 shows that they were looking forward to taking delivery of the D-type that had been allocated to them, but it was September before XKD 526 was tested at MIRA by Les Bottrill, and not until 13 October did it leave Browns Lane, bound for Brisbane via Liverpool docks. It was fitted with engine number E2042-9 and body number 2026.

It’s thought that the car was jointly owned by Cyril Anderson and his intrepid wife Doris – known as ‘Geordie’ – plus Bill Pitt and Charles Swinburne. Its earliest competition outings were made in the hands of ‘Geordie’, who had been born in Scotland in 1908. Having moved to Australia and married Cyril, she raced an early XK 120 between 1950 and 1952, then replaced that with another XK 120 in which she won the 24-hour Mount Druitt race along with Pitt and Swinburne. On acquiring the D-type, she was quoted as saying that, as well as being used as a racing car, ‘sometimes it will come in handy as a hack for doing the shopping.’

From August 1956 onwards, however, it was Pitt who most often raced XKD 056. He was highly rated on the Queensland motorsport scene, and started as he meant to go on by setting a new lap record first time out at Lowood. Pitt often went up against Bib Stilwell in XKD 520, and in November 1956 beat him comfortably in the one-hour Queensland Tourist Trophy at Lowood – despite having only third and fourth gears available to him.

Later that year, Pitt entered the first Australian Tourist Trophy at Albert Park and lined up on the grid with the works Maseratis of Stirling Moss and Jean Behra, plus the Ferraris of Peter Whitehead and Reg Parnell. Pitt finished fourth despite not having raced at Albert Park before, and the following weekend he was back at the same circuit for the Australian Grand Prix meeting. Sadly, he crashed out of the supporting Argus Trophy, after which the D-type was repaired – the air intake being made larger and more rectangular – and resprayed bronze.

The car was back in action during 1957, Pitt marking his return by lowering his own lap record at Lowood by three seconds. He’d often compete in more than one race during the course of a meeting, and by the time he arrived at Bathurst in October, XKD 526 was once again finished in dark green.

Despite offering the car for sale in mid-1958, when it was marketed as ‘Mrs Geordie Anderson’s successful D-type Jaguar’, Pitt continued to race it throughout that year. There was more success at Lowood, and he once again entered the Victorian Tourist Trophy and Melbourne Grand Prix meetings on consecutive weekends at Albert Park. He led the former for the first 12 laps until being passed by Whitehead’s Maserati and then lost second place when he pitted for bodywork repairs after a slight off. The following weekend, he finished sixth in the Melbourne Grand Prix behind Stirling Moss’s winning Cooper.

In July 1959, the D-type was bought by Leaton Motors, which sold used sports cars out of premises in the Sydney suburbs and went racing at the weekend. It had previously run a C-type for one of its salesman – Frank Matich – and then decided to upgrade to XKD 526. The car was repainted pale yellow with a central black stripe, and young Matich – who would go on to have a fine career as a driver as well as a constructor – broke the sports car lap record first time out at Lowood.

Matich drove XKD 526 at Longford in March 1960 before handing over to Doug Chivas for the rest of that season. Chivas won at Lowood in July, but often had to give best to Matich, who’d switched to Leaton’s new Lotus 15. In 1961, however, the Jaguar was given a new lease of life as a ‘GT’ car via the fitment of an aluminium hardtop built by Sydney-based specialist Alan Standfield. Australian GT regulations allowed such one-off conversions – Bob Jane did the same to his Maserati 300S – and XKD 526 first appeared in its new guise at Catalina Park in July 1961. Matich was back behind the wheel and took victory there, as he did three weeks later in dominant fashion at Warwick Farm.

For its final few races with Leaton in early 1962, the D-type was driven by Barry Topen. He won at Catalina Park and Warwick Farm, before coming unstuck at Sandown in March. Having finished second in a five-lap GT race, Topen crashed out of the 10-lap GT scratch race. Leaton tasked Alan Standfield with repairing the crumpled bonnet, but the company was struggling financially and the D-type – along with the Lotus 15 – was offered for sale in 1963.

By 1965, XKD 526 was with Michael Crampton – a mechanic based near Sydney – and from him it passed to Keith Russell, who ran a panel repair shop in Campsie. During Russell’s ownership, the Jaguar was painted blue and white, and a 3. 8-litre engine block was fitted – although the original cylinder head was retained. Russell entered the occasional race with his new acquisition, his competition outings including a slight off at Hume Weir over the 1966 Easter weekend and – more encouragingly – a third-place finish at Oran Park on 3 July.

In January 1967, Keith Berryman bought XKD 526 for $1700 and would end up keeping it for almost 50 years. He was only 26 years old when he acquired the Jaguar, and he drove it the 250 miles from Sydney to his farm in Stockinbingal, New South Wales. He had the car road-registered in March 1967 and, at the time he bought it, it was fitted with the 3. 8 block, 15x8in wheels, flared rear arches and triple Weber carburettors. It also still had the GT-spec hardtop in place, but later in the year he removed that and replaced the wheels.

Berryman also added to the D-type’s race history, including an appearance at Warwick Farm in February 1968 in which he was hit by another competitor; minor bodywork repairs were needed afterwards. He continued to race into 1970, and in September that year he won the inaugural Tom Sulman Trophy for Historic Sports and Racing Cars at Warwick Farm.

The D-type was later stored in a barn at Berryman’s farm, and it was still there in 1975 when Ian Cummins visited. Cummins would go on to become a well-known Australian Jaguar enthusiast and was looking for a car that he could use a reference during the restoration of XKD 010, which he’d bought the previous year. XKD 526 was therefore stripped and kept alongside XKD 010 while the latter was restored in Sydney.

Once that project had been completed in 1981, XKD 526 itself was restored to concours-winning condition. During the 1980s and 1990s, it was occasionally used by Jaguar for promotional events and was driven more than once by Stirling Moss. It even competed in two ‘races’ against a Supermarine Spitfire at air shows in Wagga and Temora.

When Berryman decided to sell XKD 526 in 2014, it was acquired by Jo Bamford, grandson of the man who’d founded the JCB heavy plant company. The D-type was brought back to England complete with its original front frame – which had been replaced when Cummins had restored the car – plus the hardtop, and CKL Developments carried out some restoration work. This included rebuilding and refitting the front chassis frame, returning the bodywork to British Racing Green, rebuilding the original cylinder head and repairing some minor suspension damage. It was also noted that XKD 526 was fitted with a ZF limited-slip differential, which was rare outside the factory and Ecurie Ecosse D-types. Once the car was finished, Bamford raced it at the Goodwood Revival.

The Jaguar passed to a new owner in 2018, when CKL again carried out some restoration work, during which the body was returned to its original configuration, minus the tail fin. It was eventually decided not to refit the 1960s hardtop, but a frame was constructed so that this intriguing part of its story can be displayed with the car.

This Jaguar D-Type is now offered for sale exclusively at The Classic Motor Hub. Not only does XKD 526 boast an extensive period race record, it has a continuous known history and in the past few years has received extensive care in the hands of one of the world’s foremost D-type specialists. It’s a beautiful and impressively original survivor from a golden era of sports car racing.

COMPETITION HISTORY 1956-1962
30 January 1956 – Strathpine flying quarter-mile, 120mph

19 February 1956 – Leyburn flying quarter-mile, 135. 2mph

17 March 1956 – Strathpine airfield

8 April 1956 – Sports & Saloon Scratch Race, Lowood, third

12 August 1956 – Champions Scratch Race, Lowood, first

12 August 1956 – Sports & Saloon Handicap, Lowood, fourth

30 September-1 October 1956 – Scratch Race, Bathurst, second

30 September-1 October 1956 – NSW Road Racing Championship Race, Bathurst, second

4 November 1956 – Courier-Mail Tourist Trophy, Lowood, first

25 November 1956 – Australian Tourist Trophy, Albert Park, fourth

2 December 1956 – Argus Trophy, Albert Park, DNF

17 March 1957 – Victorian Tourist Trophy, Albert Park, second

24 March 1957 – Sports Car Scratch Race, Albert Park, third

24 March 1957 – Victorian Trophy Handicap, Albert Park, sixth

7 April 1957 – Lowood, first

16 June 1957 – Queensland Road Racing Championship, Lowood, third

6 October 1957 – NSW Championship for Sports Cars, Bathurst, third

6 October 1957 – Sedan & Sports Car Handicap, Bathurst, first

3 November 1957 – Courier-Mail TT, Lowood, second

3 November 1957 – Championship Scratch Race, Lowood, first

3 November 1957 – Sports & Racing Cars Race, Lowood, NC

27 January 1958 – South Pacific Championship Race, Gnoo Blas, fourth

27 January 1958 – Handicap Race, Gnoo Blas, sixth

23 March 1958 – Over 1500cc Scratch Race, Lowood, first

23 March 1958 – A-Grade Scratch Race, Lowood, first

7 April 1958 – Scratch Race for Racing Cars, Bathurst, fifth

15 June 1958 – Scratch Race, Lowood, NC

15 June 1958 – QRRC Race, Lowood, fourth

31 August 1958 – Lowood, fourth

31 August 1958 – Lowood Trophy, Lowood, fourth

31 August 1958 – Sports & Saloon Car Handicap, Lowood, NC

5 October 1958 – Australian Tourist Trophy, Bathurst, DNF

6 October 1958 – Sports Car Race, Bathurst, second

26 October 1958 – Champions Scratch Race, Lowood, first

26 October 1958 – Queensland Tourist Trophy, Lowood, first

23 November 1958 – Racing Car Scratch Race, Albert Park, seventh

23 November 1958 – Victorian Tourist Trophy, Albert Park, third

30 November 1958 – Sports Car Scratch Race, Albert Park, third

30 November 1958 – Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, sixth

28 March 1959 – Bathurst 100, Bathurst, DNS

14 June 1959 – Australian Tourist Trophy, Lowood, second

14 June 1959 – Lowood Trophy, Lowood, DNF

30 August 1959 – Queensland Centenary Road Racing Championship, Lowood, fourth

30 August 1959 – Scratch Race, Lowood, second

4 October 1959 – Bathurst, NSW Road Racing Championship, DNF

5-7 March 1960 – Australian Tourist Trophy, Longford, third

17-18 April 1960 – Bathurst, DNS

12 June 1960 – Sports Car Scratch Race, Albert Park, first

2 October 1960 – NSW Road Racing Championship, second

3 October 1960 – Sports Car Race, Gnoo Blast, second

18 December 1960 – Sports Car Race, Warwick Farm, third

29 January 1961 – Sports Car Race, Warwick Farm, third

12 February 1961 – Sports Car Race, Catalina Park, third

19 March 1961 – Sports Car Race, Warwick Farm, third

21 May 1961 – Sports Car Race, Warwick Farm, second

9 July 1961 – Over 1500cc Sports Car Race, Catalina Park, first

30 July 1961 – GT Race, Warwick Farm, first

27 August 1961 – GT Race, Catalina Park, first

1 October 1961 – Australian Tourist Trophy, Bathurst, second

1 October 1961 – GT Race, Bathurst, first

5 November 1961 – GT Race, Warwick Farm, first

17 December 1961 – Over 1500cc Sports Car Race, Warwick Farm, second

21 January 1962 – GT Race, Catalina Park, first

4 February 1962 – GT Race, Warwick Farm, first

12 March 1962 – GT Race, Sandown, first

12 March 1962 – GT Scratch Race, Sandown, DNF

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
Please see the list below for similar live adverts.

Similar Adverts

Jaguar XJR-S Limited Edition rare special version produced in 350 examples between 1988 and 1989 with 5300 cc engine by Jaguar sports company and TWR. The first 100 examples were called Celebration Le Mans to commemorate Jaguar's victory at Le Mans in 1988. Mechanical and interior condition, excellent, the bodywork is ...

87,500
17 Mar 2024
Italy
Verified Dealer (see stock)

jaguar xjs 3.6 automatic petrol 1991, 44000 genuine miles pioneer cd player with front & reverse camera fitted, apple car play,mot sep 2024, power steering, electric windows, excellent bodywork, grey full leather interior - excellent condition, tyre condition excellent, please welcome to take a test drive and can be ...

48,000
22 Mar 2024
Cambridgeshire
Private

My Jaguar beautiful Sovereign V12 series III is a sheer joy to cruise in or Sunday afternoon tea runs. Quiet power transports you in luxury. Alas I am no longer driving her and reluctantly offer for sale this great classic. I have owned her for 30 years and she is garaged with other cars in a dry dehumidified garage. ...

85,000
28 Mar 2024
Sussex
Private

This XKR convertible supercharged 4.2 V8 ( 6 gear automatic) is in excellent condition inside and out, and comes with recent MOT (14 March 2024) with no advisories, recent service (19 March 2024) and 4 brand new tyres. Blue exterior (JJF Code), charcoal leather interior with burr walnut veneer. Refurbished 20 inch BBS ...

94,875
25 Mar 2024
Suffolk
Private
16
Picture of 1958 Jaguar XK150 DHC. Fully restored and upgraded to 3.8 S. - For Sale

1958 Jaguar XK150 DHC. Presented in white coachwork with red leather interior, black mohair soft top. LHD. Automatic transmission . Upgraded engine to 3.8 S Spec. This car was purchased in the US from a renowned US dealer Hyman Classic Cars for $162,500. They stated that the car had a ground up nut and bolt restoration ...

28 Mar 2024
London
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)

1978 JAGUAR XJ-S PRE HE FACTORY MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM NEW UK MATCHING NUMBERS JAGUAR TRACE CERTIFICATE WHITE / BLACK LEATHER 309th BUILT OF 352 69,000 MILES UNUSED SINCE 1998 LAST MOT 2007 VERY RARE VEHICLE NEEDS RENOVATION / RECOMMISSIONING SOLID VEHICLE ONE OF THE LAST PRODUCED TOTAL BODY RESTORATION ...

69,000
28 Mar 2024
Gloucestershire

I have owned the car for 5 years. It was originally exported to New Zealand in 1954 and imported to the UK and registered here in 2016. I have all the paperwork and some historical records. There is NO rust and the bodywork and mechanics are excellent. The engine was rebuilt about the time the car was imported to the ...

59,785
9 Feb 2024
Kent
Private
11
Picture of 1962 Jaguar E-Type - For Sale

1962 Jaguar E-Type CUT 8 ex-Protheroe The last of the famous Protheroe-prepared Jaguars   Raced by Ed Nelson in the 1966 season including at the Nürburgring and Mugello  Campaigned by Nelson and Rhoddy Harvey Bailey until 1968  Recent competition through the early 2000s including multiple Goodwood RAC TT entries A ...

18 Mar 2024
Hertfordshire
Premium Dealer (see stock)

low mileage one owner from new.garaged all time.v good condition. not used since 2019.no mot.service history to 50000 mls. does not start as flat battery.<br><br>very comfortable family car.green with alloy wheels.leather seats and walnut trim.<br><br>

76,780
4 Feb 2024
London
Private

Jaguar XKR with FULL Service history. Over £20,000 in receipts. All welding professionally done. Metal tensioners and engine replacement at 30k. New headlining and interior leather. Three keys with fully working fobs. All original documentation including bill of sale and brochures. Local Jaguar specialist says ...

136,000
7 Feb 2024
Cheshire
Private

Jaguar XK140 SE Drophead 1956 Left Hand Drive Totally Restored This very exciting Jaguar XK140 SE Drop head Coupe was supplied new to Mr R.J.Kulm, of Long Island New York. Supplied new in left hand drive format, the car was first painted in Cream with Red trim and a Black hood covering. The car was repatriated back ...

123
28 Mar 2024
Buckinghamshire
Verified Dealer (see stock)
6
Picture of 1974 Late Model E-Type V12 Roadster - For Sale

A stunning UK supplied vehicle 1974 registered Series 3 Roadster which has been the subject of much recent work. Recent invoices totaling nearly £30,000 demonstrate that no stone has been left unturned with this car. Previously sold by us and due to lack of storage remains in the hands of the current keeper - therefore ...

28 Mar 2024
Sussex
Premium Verified Dealer (see stock)

Time warp condition, kept in a climate controlled garage for the last 15 years, everything works, has the nice extra foldable rear seats, paint and bodywork amazingly good, service history to 2020, tyres near new, engine bay clean enough to eat your dinner off. Split rim alloys near immaculate, recent £1600 quad tail ...

84,000
19 Mar 2024
Hampshire
Private

RARE OPPORTUNITY FILM STAR COMEDY LEGEND TERRY THOMAS THIS BEING THE LAST VEHICLE HE OWNED 1975 DAIMLER SOVEREIGN 3.4 LWB AUTOMATIC BLUE VELOUR INTERIOR PASSED OWNERSHIP OVER TOO HIS NIECE IN 1984 PURCHASED DIRECT FROM HERSELF FULL WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION STORED INSIDE THROUGHOUT FULL SUN ROOF NEEDS RENOVATION ALL ...

90,000
27 Mar 2024
Gloucestershire

JAGUAR E TYPE SERIES 3 FHC 5.3L V12 Manual Date of manufacture 20TH OCT 1971 Date of registration 1ST DEC 1971 Sold by Henly’s of Manchester Known history. Purchased by me April 2007 Black with Jaguar red leather interior and wire wheels. • Heritage Trust Certificate • Full Keeper History • Production ...

110,750
22 Mar 2024
Yorkshire
Private

Carmen Red with Red leather, Original UK RHD OTS matching numbers example, Originally supplied by Jaguar Dealer Rossleigh of Scotland to Mr Owen on the 2nd February 1962 and registered 309 WK, This incredible bespoke Semi-Lightweight recreation was built by renowned Jaguar specialist Jim Rothwell of Rothwell Engineering ...

5,000
27 Mar 2024
Sussex
Verified Dealer (see stock)

1971 JAGUAR XJ6 Series I 2.8 Auto *ULEZ EXEMPT* Finished in immaculate Old English White with black hide. Only 2 owners from new, the last a British Airways Captain who had the car in storage since 1982 after using it and maintaining it to a very high standard after purchasing it 1975. Now fully recommissioned and ready ...

60,000
27 Mar 2024
Norfolk