Seven sisters for the Scottish C-types

Ecurie Ecosse is working to create a run of seven continuation Jaguar C-types, one for each of the now near-priceless originals run by the team in period.

Between 1951-55, Ecurie Ecosse notched up 59 podium finishes in major international motor races using a total of seven C-type chassis, before switching to the D-type and going on to win Le Mans in 1956 and ’57.

While each of the seven original Ecurie Ecosse C-types still survives, they are unlikely ever to be raced again given their value – the last one to be sold fetched £8.4m at auction back in 2015.

To pay homage to the originals, Ecurie Ecosse will create a sister car for each, which will be made to traditional style but with some modern upgrades. Each will be based around a stiffened version of the original steel spaceframe chassis design and will be built in Coventry – as the originals were – and each will run thin-gauge aluminium bodies.

An uprated 300bhp version of Jaguar’s 4.2-litre straight-six XK engine will power them through a modern five-speed manual transmission. Each car will also boast modern disc brakes and suspension.

Inside, alloy-framed seats will be trimmed in blue leather, with TAG Heuer Master Time stopwatches fitted into the dash. Cars will come in the distinctive blue and white Ecurie Ecosse livery with hand-airbrushed decals.

Ecurie Ecosse patron Alasdair McCaig said: “How better to celebrate the success of the original Ecurie Ecosse C-types than to manufacture a batch of cars in their honour? The seven chassis that raced in period are priceless today, coveted by their lucky owners and only occasionally being seen at concours events. We’re paying homage to them by created each a sister car.”

The first car can be viewed and driven via Hofmann’s at Henley-on-Thames. Each is priced at £516,000.