Jaguar - Sports Racing and Works Competition Cars from 1954 (First Edition, 1987)

Author: Andrew Whyte, Hardbound, 624 Pages, ISBN: 9780854293193 - First Edition, 1987 - Second-Hand book in good condition !

Jaguar Sports Racing & Works Competition Cars from 1954 is the second volume of Andrew Whyte's definitive two-part history of Jaguar in motor sport.

Taking up his narrative as the legendary D-type emerges from Browns Lane to be prepared for its Le Mans debut, Andrew Whyte charts the fascinating and involved story of Jaguar's Competition Cars and the people who raced them from those victorious heights of the 1950s to the modern company's return to international racing success in the 198os.

The full story is told of D-type development and production, and its successes as part of the official works effort which ceased in 1956, and of the in-between years when Jaguar's official company racing involvement lessened, yet the D-type, and later the racing E-type, acquitted themselves honourably in private hands. Not forgotten are the XK-engined hybrids such as the Lister-Jaguars and Cooper-Jaguars and the other Browns Lane products used in competition.

Less fortunate chapters are recounted, too, including that of the short-lived XKSS, the still-born Xj13 and the unhappy Broadspeed connection.

The story is brought up to date with Jaguar's racing renaissance brought about largely by the exploits of Bob Tullius's Group 44 team, and Tom Walkinshaw and TWR who, together, have carried this famous marque back to the winner's circle and who have set the new Jaguar company on course for its special goal: to win again the Le Mans 24hrs.

Also contained within this volume are eleven comprehensive appendices, included amongst which is an individual history of EVERY D-type, XKSS and special-bodied E-type built, a separate history of club racing internationally, a profile of the many works drivers, and specifications of all the important Jaguar racing engines.

This book, which contains over I too illustrations, is an unparalleled story of a racing legend, covering thirty-three years and taking Jaguar from one pinnacle of sporting success to another, from one generation to another.