British automaker Jaguar has just announced a new continuation series for one of its legendary classic models, the C-Type. A race car originally built from 1951 to 1953, the C-Type joins the D-Type, Lightweight E-Type, and XKSS on Jaguar's list of classic cars revived through the company's Continuation project.

Just like the cars before it, the C-Type Continuation will be built to original specs using data from the brand's archive and by scanning on original model. Only eight will be built, adding to the 53 examples that Jaguar assembled in the 1950s.

Jaguar is replicating the 1953 Le Mans-winning C-Type

The C-Type Continuation series will be based on the last development of the original car, which included the adoption of disc brakes. While these are common nowadays, they weren't a thing back in the 1950s. The C-Type was the first race car to employ disc brakes thanks to a then-revolutionary system developed in cooperation with Dunlop. The first C-Type with disc brakes was introduced in 1952.

All eight continuation cars will feature specifications of the works team model that won't the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953, including the 3.4-liter straight-six engine with triple Weber carburetors.

The C-Type Continuation series will be built by accessing the company's archives and by cross-referencing scan data taken from an original car. Jaguar will also use CAD technology to make the continuation cars as authentic as possible. Unlike previous continuation cars, the C-Type comes with an online configurator. The tool enables you to visualize the car in one of the 12 available colors, including the iconic British Racing Green, Pastel Green, Metallic Blue, and Bronze.

You can also choose the color of the seats, with no fewer than eight hues available, including cream, green, blue, tan, and red. Other options include racing roundels in white or Old English White and Jaguar badges on the nose and the steering wheel. Jaguar also offers the option to add an FIA-approved harness retention system or rollover protection, which will make the C-Type eligible for historic racing and track use.

No word on pricing yet, but if continuation cars from the past are any indication, the C-Type Continuation will cost at least $2 million.

Jaguar's first Le Mans-winning car

The C-Type was originally called the XK120-C and raced at Le Mans for the first time using this name. The 3.4-liter inline-six engine was also borrowed from the road car, but retuned from 160 to around 205 horsepower. Later on, the engines were updated with Weber carburetors and delivered up to 220 horsepower.

The C-Type won the 24 Hours of Le Mans at its first attempt in 1951. It set a new lap and distance record and won comfortably ahead of competition from Talbot-Lago, Nash-Healey and Ferrari. Jaguar returned to Le Mans in 1952, but all three cars retired early in the race due to engine problems.

The C-Type won the race for the second time in 1953. Jaguar scored first, second, and fourth place finishes, ahead of entries by Ferrari, Talbot-Lago, and Nash-Healey. The winning car, driven by Tony Rolt and Duncan Hamilton, was the first ever to run more than 300 laps and more than 4,000 km at le Mans. It was also the first car to win with an average speed of more than 100 mph (at 105.85 mph).

Jaguar replaced the C-Type with the more advanced D-Type in 1954, but a privately owned car finished fourth at Le Mans. The D-Type went on to win the famed endurance event three times in a row between 1955 to 1957. Jaguar wouldn't win Le Mans again until 1988 with the XJR-9LM. Its final success at Circuit de la Sarthe came in 1990 with the XJR-12.

Jaguar C-Type specifications

Engine

Inline-6

Position

Front Longitudinal

Aspiration

Natural

Valvetrain

DOHC

Fuel feed

Horizontal Twin SU Carburetors

Displacement

3442 cc / 210.0 in³

Bore

83 mm / 3.27 in

Stroke

106 mm / 4.17 in

Compression

8.0:1

Power

220 HP @ 5,800 RPM

Transmission

4-Speed Manual

Top speed

140.0 MPH

0 - 60 mph

8.0 seconds

0 - 100 mph

20.0 seconds