Jaguar at Le Mans – Every Race, Car and Driver 1950-1995
By Paul Parker
In large part, the success of Jaguar as a car company can clearly be traced back to one race – Le Mans. Starting in 1950, Sir William Lyons’ Jaguars began competing at Le Sarthe and establishing their reputation as a fast and dependable sports car. As a result of the pivotal role that Le Mans has played in the success and development of Jaguar, author Paul Parker has chosen to chronicle this rich history in Jaguar at Le Mans, a book that examines every Jaguar car and driver that has ever competed in the 24-Hours of Le Mans.
Organized in chronological order, each chapter examines the Jaguar racing exploits of a particular year starting with the first campaign in 1950, where a team of three XK120s were sent. Though the XK120 fought with weak brakes that first year, a 12th and 15th place finish overall opened the team’s eyes up to the fact that if they could transplant the 120’s mechanicals into a lighter-weight, purpose- built machine, Jaguar could become a serious contender for overall victory.
The following year, in 1951, Jaguar returned with the now famous C-type and the new car won the 24-Hour classic with Peter Walker and Peter Whitehead driving. Jaguars would go on to win Le Mans four more times in ’53, ’55, ’56 and ’57 and after years of varying success in the hands of privateers, would return with factory entries again in the ’80s, claiming another two overall victories in 1988 and 1990.
In Jaguar at Le Mans, Parker has done an excellent job of telling the tale of each year’s campaign, both in terms of the history of what happened, as well as taking an in-depth look at the personalities that took part. Parker’s interesting narrative is complemented by ample photography from a number of respected sources including the Ludvigsen collection. This 208-page book is the first to cover all of Jaguar’s Le Mans history in one treatise and will not disappoint those interested in either the racing history of the Jaguar marque or Le Mans history in general. Available from Classic Motorbooks for $44.95 (US). To order call (800) 826-6600 or online at www.motorbooks.com
