Jaguar D-Type History

The D-Type (1954–1957) advanced Jaguar's racing thinking with an aircraft-influenced monocoque centre section, sleek Malcolm Sayer aerodynamics, and on many cars a distinctive headrest stabilising fin. It won the Le Mans 24 Hours three years running — 1955, 1956 and 1957 — the 1957 race seeing D-Types fill five of the top six places.

Production is generally cited as roughly 18 works cars and 53 customer cars. When Jaguar withdrew its works team, unsold and unfinished D-Types were converted into the road-legal XKSS.