Jaguar D-type (1956)

1953 marked the second victory at the Le Mans 24 hours in three years for Jaguar and the C-type. With so many lessons learned and competition hotting up, an all new car was needed to help keep them at the front of the grid. From these learnings, the D-type was born. Retaining the 3.5 litre XK engine from the C-type, the car now sported an aeronautical-inspired, magnesium-alloy central monocoque tub, an aluminium spaceframe and all-round Dunlop disc brakes.

The D-type was created in time for Le Mans 1954 with Jaguar fielding three cars in the race. Unfortunately, all developed misfire-related issues causing both retirement and extensive setbacks. 1955 however brought success with Jaguar achieving 1st and 3rd. Victory continued for the next two consecutive years, with 1st,4th and 6th in 1956 and 1st,2nd, 3rd,4th and 6th in 1957 respectively, albeit by privateer teams.

In the years since, the D-type has been cherished by enthusiasts, collectors and historic racers as one of the era’s finest sports cars. Just 71 examples were built, spanning works cars, long-nose variants and privateer entries.

Instrumental in progressing the early racing career of eventual double-world champion, Jim Clark, “TKF 9” represents a remarkably significant example of Jaguar’s D-type. This early short-nose, “no fin” D-type, originally supplied to Gillie Tyler via Merseyside-based Litherland Motors in Pastel Green with green leather, was later acquired by Futura Rubber Company and campaigned by Alex McMillan in various UK-based club events.

In May 1956, XKD 517 was acquired by the Murkett Brothers. The Murkett family spearheaded a reputable automotive engineering and servicing business that spanned multiple sites throughout Cambridgeshire. With expertise in maintenance and upkeep of predominantly British marques, including Jaguar, the brothers decided to campaign their D-type throughout Europe, employing the driving talents of Henry Taylor and Archie Scott-Brown. Early on during the brothers’ campaign, which saw “TKF 9” driven at Spa-Francochamps and the Nürburgring, the car was refinished in off-white, the colour scheme it would go on to sport throughout its most notable competition endeavours.

In early 1958 the D-type was sold to the Scottish-based, Border Reivers team, run by Ian Scott Watson. Whilst the Scott Watson name may not ring as globally recognisable, his contribution to worldwide motorsport came in the form of his mentorship of twice-world champion and Indy 500 victor, Jim Clark. The two had met for the first time at Young Farmers Club, with Scott Watson taken aback by Clark’s obvious driving talents. After posting a time 3 seconds faster than Scott Watson at Crimond Raceway in the same car, Clark was employed as Border Reivers’ star driver.

Having cut their teeth with a Porsche 356, the D-type would be the car that truly catapulted Clark’s reputation. Throughout 1958, Clark entered 20 races in “TKF 9”, claiming victory in 12. In correspondence with Jaguar’s motorsport boss Lofty England, Scott Watson notes that Clark displayed ‘extreme promise’.

During this time, Scott Watson and Border Reivers granted Clark the opportunity to test a Lotus Formula Two car at Brands Hatch. During the test, which took place in August of 1958, Clark was introduced to Team Lotus boss, Colin Chapman, for whom he would go on to win his two Formula One World Championships.

Following an advertisement in Autosport, the D-type entered its ownership streak beyond professional competition. Fitted with a full-width screen and XKSS-style luggage rack by its next custodian, Alan Ensoll, “TKF 9” was thereafter campaigned at various hill climb and club events by subsequent owners. Bryan Corser of Shrewsbury would repaint the D-type in British Racing Green during his ownership stint in 1964.

Having passed through several more collectors in the years that followed, “TKF 9” was eventually sold to a prestigious collection in 2006, where it was returned to Border Reivers specification and housed alongside many great sports-competition cars of the period, including a Ferrari 250 GTO and 250 Testarossa. The current custodian has cared for the D-type since 2009. Raced frequently at historic events such as Goodwood and Le Mans Classic, often with marque expert Gary Pearson at the helm, “TKF 9’s” profound competition legacy is upheld to this day.

• Achieved 12 victories from 20 races with twice-World Champion Jim Clark
• Campaigned by Ian Scott Watson's Border Reivers Team in 1958
• Returned to Border Reivers "Clark" specification in 2006
• An experienced historic racing career includes appearances at Le Mans Classic and Goodwood
• Maintained for the current custodian by marque expert and historic racer, Gary Pearson of Pearson's Engineering
• Retains period-correct 3.4-litre straight-6 engine