A historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car that was driven to victory in 1952 by the legendary Phil Hill to claim the Jaguar C-Type’s first North American racing victory has joined the starting line-up for RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey event, to be held August 13th – 15th in Monterey, California.
The rare C-Type, designated XKC-007, was one of just 53 examples built and one of the first Jaguar C-Types delivered to the United States. Shipped to New York in 1952, this example was immediately driven to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where it, along with XKC-009, made their competitive racing debuts as part of the company’s North American sales pitch for the model. It was at this meet that XKC-007 made Jaguar history when the eventual World Champion driver, Phil Hill – then just 25 – drove it to victory in The Sheldon Cup. Under the sponsorship of Charles Hornburg, the Western United States Jaguar distributor, and with Phil Hill back behind the wheel, XKC-007 went on to achieve further success at Torrey Pines that same year.
XKC-007 passed through the hands of numerous owners over the following years and was fully restored by noted Jaguar expert Terry Larson before making its way into the distinguished, private collection of Jerry and Kathy Nell in 1993 where it has remained ever since. Presented in period correct condition, it notably displays the signature of the great Phil Hill and retains its original, numbers matching engine. Throughout its racing career, XKC-007 was never crashed.
“RM Auctions is truly honored to represent this outstanding C-Type on behalf of its long term owner. XKC-007 is certainly the most historically significant Jaguar C-Types to ever come to auction during Monterey’s famed classic car week and its well-known provenance, coupled with its historically significant racing history and victories, is set to attract the interest of discerning collectors around the world,” said Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer of RM Auctions.
“It is without question an amazing opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to have the chance of successfully bidding on and owning the best of the very best,” he added.
In addition to its rich race history, XKC-007 has enjoyed success on the show field, awarded a national championship in 1994 by the Jaguar Club of North America. In 2002 it was reunited with Phil Hill at Pebble Beach to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the C-Type, as well as at another commemorative event in 2006 in Elkhart Lake when the famed Wisconsin road track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rare 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car, chassis number XKC-007, will lead a line-up of collector cars when RM Auctions’ Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event returns to the Portola Hotel and Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, California, August 13th to 15th. The auction preview will commence August 12th from 12noon – 6:00pm, followed by full-day previews on August 13th through 15th with auction action each evening. Admission to the three-day event is $40.00 USD per person. An official auction catalog is available for an additional $100 USD.
For more information, visit www.rmauctions.com.
[Source: RM Auctions]
What a CAR ! WOW WEE ! NEAT-O ! The beauty along with the history is overwhelming. The fact that Phil Hill “The Man” (Mr 1961 )once owned and worked on and loved this car, make it worth another million. At least in my book it does. The ability to drive this baby in all the premiere events that I know about and allot that I don’t, makes it at the upper levels of show car circuit. I just hope the new lucky owner
let it continue to make the shows and historic races.