A quest to build and race an exact replica of the 1966 Jaguar XJ13

Planned Return to Glory Days…

The 1950’s saw Jaguar’s C-Types and D-Types comprehensively dominate Le Mans. These all-conquering cars were styled by the gifted aerodynamicist Malcolm Sayer. Sayer’s designs, the genes of which later saw expression in Jaguar’s iconic Lightweight E-Type, were universally acknowledged as amongst the most beautiful competition cars ever built. Jaguar themselves withdrew from racing in 1955 following the tragic events at the Le Mans of that year - although their cars continued to achieve success in the hands of private entrants.

In 1963 Jaguar were on the brink of a return to racing with their Lightweight E-Types. However, the change in regulations for Le Mans in 1963 meant these wonderful cars would have been completely overwhelmed by the 5-litre prototypes now allowed by the regulations. The way was clear for Jaguar’s Bill Heynes to carry out his plan for a full assault at Le Mans with a new mid-engined prototype sports car powered by Jaguar’s own 5-litre quad-cam V12 – an engine which was first and foremost aimed at a return to the top echelons of racing.

Jaguar only built one Jaguar XJ13 and circumstances conspired to prevent the car from ever turning a wheel in anger. Construction began in 1965 and the sole example built was completed in 1966. Its breaking of the UK closed-lap circuit record in 1967 in the hands of its main Test & Development Driver David Hobbs, showed its latent potential. This record was to stand until 1999 until beaten by a McLaren F1 road car.

1966 - What Might Have Been…

The car underwent a series of clandestine but official tests arranged by its Project Manager Mike Kimberley (later to become CEO of Lotus Cars). Professional race-driver David Hobbs piloted the car in all official tests, supported by Norman Dewis and Richard Attwood. The one-and-only original was put under wraps in 1967 where it remained until 1971 when it was wheeled out to help publicise the forthcoming Series 3 V12 E-Type. The sad fate of the car in the hands of the legendary Norman Dewis OBE is now well-documented. The car was crashed and its mostly-intact underlying structure was clothed in a new and modified body fashioned by skilled craftsmen at Abbey Panels.

The sublimely beautiful lines of Sayer’s masterpiece were altered during the rebuild and the car remains in this altered form to this day. Regularly displayed at prestigious events the car forms a backdrop to Jaguar’s rich heritage and testament to the genius of Malcolm Sayer.

A second chance?

Many replicas of Jaguar’s current car exist although none have yet come close to capturing Sayer’s original 1966 form.

In 2010, Neville Swales of Building The Legend Limited acquired the only surviving complete original prototype quad-cam V12 built to a specification similar to that of the engine which powered the original car in 1966. Four years of exhaustive and painstaking research have resulted in the accumulation of original and unique data for Jaguar’s original 1966 masterpiece.

The Beast Awakes

At the end of last year, the bark of Jaguar’s legendary No.2 quad-cam V12 engine was heard for the first time in 50 years. The starter was pressed by the same Jim Eastick who started the No.1 engine for the first time in 1964 in the presence of Jaguar’s Bill Heynes - this time, in the presence of Jonathan Heynes, son of the late Bill Heynes.

Thanks to the organisers of The London Classic Car Show, you will be given the opportunity to be present at the first public demo run of Neville’s recreation of Malcolm Sayer’s original 1966 masterpiece where the halls will resound to the bark of this legendary engine - bring your ear-muffs