Jaguar won the first Le Mans 24 Hours after WW2 and went on to dominate the post-war period, winning five times with two characterful cars.

Jaguar XK 120 (1951-1953) – Produced from 1948-1954, the XK 120 (3.4 litre in-line 6-cylinder engine) caused quite a stir when it was unveiled and went on to be very successful, offering performance on par with cars costing twice as much. The car’s name is a reference to the top speed of 120 mph (approx. 200 kph) which made it the fastest production car in the world and very popular with celebrities. With several race wins under its belt, Jaguar decided to enter the Le Mans 24 Hours. The aerodynamic XK 120 C (known as C-type) was designed by aeronautics engineer Malcolm Sayer (1916-1970). It first ran at Le Mans in 1950 and went on to win twice, in 1951 and 1953.

Jaguar Type D (1955-1956-1957) – The D-type has the same engine as the XK 120, but a very different design. This time Sayer’s design was sleeker and very original, with a curved front and streamlined headrest. The D-type reigned over the Le Mans 24 Hours in the mid-fifties, with three consecutive wins in 1955, 1956 and 1957. It gave way to a no less prestigious descendant, the E-type, which inherited its predecessor’s seemingly endless bonnet.

The 83rd Le Mans 24 Hours will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2015.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO Translated by Emma Paulay

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, LE MANS 24 HOURS, SATURDAY 24 & SUNDAY 25 JUNE 1950. Jaguar’s first time at the Le Mans 24 Hours was with the XK120, which won in 1951 and 1953.
Crédit Photo: DR - Archives