Rare Jaguar C-Type Expected to Fetch $3.7M at Auction

The upcoming RM Auctions Automobiles of London event, to be held on October 27, will see a rare 1952 Jaguar C-Type added to the lot of automobiles that are set to go under the hammer. The car, which has been specifically designed to win the Le Mans 24 hour race, is expected to fetch up to $3.7 million.

The example in question, finished in cream with suede green interior trim, has been originally delivered to Charles Hornburg, Jaguar’s West Coast dealer in Beverly Hills. The first owner of chassis XKC-015 was one J. Hall, who reportedly took his new C-Type racing on just one occasion.

Early in 1953, XKC-015 was sold to upcoming driver Masten Gregory. Sports car legend Carroll Shelby called him "the fastest American to ever go over and race a Grand Prix car." He scored a podium finish in his very first Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix start (a first by an American) and was also a winner of the world famous Le Mans 24-Hour endurance race.

Gregory has then loaned his C-Type to American car magazine Road & Track for their official road test of the new C-Type Jaguar. Furthermore, during practice for the Floyd Bennett Races in New York, the car caught fire and has been severely damaged. Since then, the car has been restored and resold several times, and is currently in perfect running condition.

“A car that is presented today in lovely condition, on-the-button mechanically and ready to take to the European circuit of highly prestigious classic motoring and racing events, including the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Le Mans Classic and the Mille Miglia. A rare and very special opportunity!” a statement from RM Auctions reads.