Rarely does such a rare a car, and with such a rich and unique background, actually become available. But in just a few weeks time, this fantastic 1955 Jaguar D-Type is going to be auctioned, offering discerning collectors the chance to acquire a little piece of automobile history.
Built almost exactly 59 years ago, the vehicle was one of just 54 ever produced for the general market. The rest were created specifically for the track, were they enjoyed great success. In fact, in the hands of a series of skilled British drivers, D-Type Jaguars managed to win the legendary Le Mans 24 Hour race three times in a row from 1955 to 1957.
This particular car was built for Finnish pro tennis player Curt Lincoln, who was also an acclaimed race car driver. He went on to dominate the scene in his native Finland, where the frequent winter weather conditions required the car to be fitted with 1 and 3/4-inch spikes for traction. After retiring from competitions, the Jaguar’s story got a bit more complicated, as a subsequent owner built two vehicles using parts from the original, until finally restoring it to its original build – which is how we see it today.
Set to be auctioned this March by RM Auctions, this 1955 Jaguar D-Type is expected to go for somewhere between $3.75 and $4.25 million, which sounds like almost a bargain for an iconic race car with such a fascinating personal history.
