The Jaguar D-Type

by Anthony Pritchard

In June 1954, at the Le Mans 24-hour race, Jaguar launched the car that had been in development for eighteen months. The D-type finished in second place in its debut race and went on to win the Le Mans 24-hour race for the next three years running, becoming Jaguar’s most successful racing car. Now, just over 60 years on, Palawan presents The Jaguar D-Type, the first full and comprehensive history dedicated solely to one of the most beautiful racing cars ever.

The book includes the story of the design and development of the D-Type, as well as a racing history of both the Works cars and those belonging to private owners. The focus is on the D-Type, but naturally included is the XK-SS, a road-legal sports car produced after Jaguar retired from racing, by converting 16 of the unsold, unfinished D-Types.

As is customary for Palawan editions, there is an extensive section setting out the history, both written and photographic, of every D-Type made.  Appendices include technical descriptions, road tests and biographies of the Works drivers and the technical staff involved in the development and racing of the D-Type.

Comprising 420 pages, with over 500 photographs, the book measures 290 x 340mm and is exquisitely designed.

REVIEWS

“You won’t regret the purchase of this book. Its creamy pages exude an air of sheer quality, not just of design and production but quality of research too.” – OCTANE

“There have been plenty of excellent D-type histories, but none that are quite as beautiful as Palawan’s latest production.” – CLASSIC & SPORTSCAR