1953 Jaguar C-Type

Chassis XKC050

The Jaguar C-Type, also known as the Jaguar XK120-C, was a revolutionary racing sports car built by Jaguar and sold from 1951 to 1953. The “C” stood for competition, and the car combined the running gear of the XK120 with a lightweight tubular frame and an aerodynamic aluminum body. A total of 55 C-Types were built, and the model achieved significant racing success, most notably winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice.

Chassis XKC050 was the last production C-Type built and the only one delivered to Ireland. It was purchased by Joe Kelly on August 18, 1953, and made its racing debut at the 1953 Tourist Trophy at Dundrod, a World Sports Car Championship event. In this first outing, the car finished second in class and seventh overall, beating several factory entries. Over the following years, XKC050 was successfully raced throughout Britain.

In 1983, the car was imported to the United States by Bob Baker, and in 1984, it was purchased by Steve Earle, who actively raced it for 30 years, including at the Monaco Historique. Tom Price’s first race in XKC050 was at the 2013 Monterey Motorsports Reunion, and he and his wife, Gwen, ran the 2014 California Mille in the car. One of Tom’s fondest memories was driving this Jaguar at the 2017 Monaco Historique, where, while heading up the hill from Sainte Dévote to Casino Square, he reflected on how lucky he felt to be a California kid racing a legendary Jaguar in Monte Carlo.

Today, the car continues its racing legacy. Nick Price races it in California events, while Jeff O’Neill competes with it in the Monaco Historique.