From the middle of the 1950s and into the first few years of the following decade, the Jaguar D-type established itself as Britain’s most successful sports car, securing numerous victories during that period.
The aerodynamic Jaguar, a development of the C-type designed by Malcolm Sayer, was powered initially by a straight-six 3.4-litre twin-cam engine with disc brakes and a monocoque chassis. To use a well-worn phrase: “if it looks right, it is right” and the elegant D-type remains a classic and sought-after example of automotive design to this day. Approximately seventy D-types were built in various configurations and engine sizes and the example in the photograph is chassis XKD 515 that was built in 1955 and delivered to its first owner, Colonel Ronnie Hoare who would later go on to become a major figure in the history of Ferrari when he founded Maranello Concessionaires, importing the Italian cars into the UK. An avid enthusiast, he registered his light blue D-type for road use and later sold it in 1958 having covered 9,000 miles behind the wheel. It seems he regretted his decision and bought it back only to sell it shortly after to the successful club racer John Coundley. He owned the car for less than a year but competed in several events including the first Whitsun handicap race at Goodwood in April 1959 where he finished second overall. The photograph shows XKD 515 in the Goodwood paddock during that race meeting.
