Eastern Suburbs Scale Modelling Club

.: Peter Mckinnon's D-Type Jaguar converted from Revell's XKSS

In spite of the success of the C-Types, the competition from such marques as Ferrari, Cunningham and Aston Martin was getting stronger. Jaguar decided that a new design was needed to remain competitive.

The result was the D-Type which appeared in 1954. Whereas the C-Type had a multiple steel-tube space-frame, the smaller D-Type had a monocoque body in which the car's light alloy skin and panels contributed to overall stiffness. An aluminum front space frame that carried the engine, suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, etc, was initially welded to the central "tub," but later bolted to facilitate repair. A rear subframe carried the spare tire and fuel tank.

Suspension was independent in front with longitudinal torsion bars and a solid axle at the rear with a single lateral torsion bar anchored in the middle to serve both wheels. The rear axle was secured by four trailing arms and a vee-shaped frame attached to the tub. A large fin behind the driver improved aerodynamic stability.

Power came from the XK120's sturdy double overhead cam inline six. Horsepower was up to 245, from the XK 120's 160, and would ultimately reach over 300. For a lower profile the engine was tilted eight degrees to the right and fitted with dry-sump lubrication. It drove through a new four-speed, all-synchro manual transmission.

In spite of only three months of development time, the D-Type ran at Le Mans in 1954, coming in second between the winning 5.0-litre Ferrari V12 and the third place 5.5-litre Cunningham V8. The D-Type suffered fuel filter clogging from a batch of dirty gasoline.

Click the image below for a desktop wallpaper