It was announced this week that JD Classics were to display their tribute to the XJ13 in the form of a meticulous recreation and associated book detailing the journey.
One of the great moments in my life was to spend a weekend in the company of Norman Dewis and the original XJ13. Norman was a delightful man with a never ending set of stories from driving the new E-Type to Geneva to crashing the XJ13.
He seemed to have no appreciation of his importance in the automotive world or recognition of his talent as a driver and engineer. Not to mention his sheer bravery.
Inspired by the J D Classics creation I thought we might take a moment to celebrate the XJ13. A car that many people will have never seen and most are blissfully unaware.
JD Classics proudly call their car the “True Spirit of XJ13″ capturing the essence of the iconic Jaguar XJ13.
After 45 years of development and meticulous craftsmanship, this project stands as a testament to real dedication in preserving automotive history, from it’s inception with Bryan Wingfield – to the present build.
The Jaguar XJ13, originally crafted by Jaguar Cars in 1966 as a contender for the Le Mans 24-hour race, is celebrated as the pinnacle of elegant race car design. It has grace and precision thanks to the lines conceived by the legendary factory aerodynamicist Malcom Sayer.
At the heart of this automotive marvel lies a very rare genuine 1966 Jaguar manufactured Prototype V12 racing engine, one of only six built and developed by Jaguar for the XJ13 Project, designed to conquer Le Mans. With a 5-litre capacity and twin camshafts per bank, this engine, in its highest tuning, produced over 500 BHP, showcasing the true spirit of racing excellence. This is believed to be the only original XJ13 Prototype Engine in the world remaining, apart from, of course the Factory Car.
There have been other recreations of the XJ13 but none have paid the attention to detail of this build. Modern 3D scanning of the Factory Jaguar XJ13, was employed to create a CAD computer model, from which a precision “egg-crate” buck was CNC machined. Craftsmen then meticulously hand-wheeled aluminium panels, ensuring an indistinguishable appearance to the Factory XJ13.
Every aspect, from the instrument panel to the spacing of rivets in the body construction, has been faithfully recreated. The road wheels are identical to those of the Factory car, and even the front suspension mirrors that of the Jaguar E-Type from the Factory XJ13.
Derrick White, the engineer behind the original XJ13, initially envisioned an advanced independent rear suspension system. Financial constraints at Jaguar in the mid-1960’s led to compromises in the original design. This recreation adopts a period correct monocoque, derived from the Le Mans winning Ford GT, with a state-of-the-art rear suspension arrangement as Derrick White intended enhancing the car’s drivability without compromising its original spirit.
There will be a Book titled “The True Spirit of XJ13”, written by Robert Perry providing a comprehensive account of this remarkable build. The narrative delves into its origins as a creation by Bryan Wingfield, its tenure in the renowned Walter Hill Collection in the US and its role as a showcased car at Jaguar North America events. The book also traces the captivating journey of the “True Spirit of XJ13” through its incredible evolution at JD Classics.
For more information about JD Classics and its services, please visit www.jdclassics.com
Please support Classic Yorkshire by subscribing for free.