Jaguars in Competition

Jaguar is still the name which most people recall when they wish to associate the greatness of British motor racing with competition racing. It is to the nineteen-fifties that one must look for the start of the real success; the pre-war SS 100 Jaguars were, of course, most proficient both on the track and on the rally road. In post-war austerity of Britain, Jaguar alone shone as the great "green" motor racing hope with their XK 120. They didn't win everything, but they appeared to. Then came the Le Mans victory with the C type, followed by more and more victories with the world's favourite, the D type. Meanwhile other races and rallies were falling beneath the Jaguars' wheels. Already the legend was made. The E type continued on its winning way, as did the graceful MK1 and MK2 saloons. Then there was the European Touring Car Championship onslaught by Leyland's Jaguar X J5 .3C, a magnificent but unsuccessful attempt - and the X J-S run of wins in American SCCA racing. Backing all the international efforts has been a constant wave of Jaguars in club events throughout the world. And one should not forget that the XK engine has carried numerous other chassis to victory - the Lister, HWM, Cooper, Tojiero, along with a host of home constructed specials. This book highlights the great moments of victory, the cars and at the same time is a readable history of the competition Jaguar. Over 180 photographs, many of them never previously published, others used because of their classic quality, illustrate the infinite variety of the marque.