1946 Jaguar 2 ½ litre Sports Special

Engine currently being rebuilt - ready this Spring

This Jaguar special coachwork was created by Ian Pitney during 2013 and we are told completed in 2017, commissioned by his German client, a Micheal Lambach

Click on the "visit website" link above - direct to my website at Charles Leith dot com where there are more photographs of this car

Pitney Restorations was established by Ian Pitney's father – Mr J C Pitney - in 1973 and followed by his son Ian in 2002. Pitney Restorations have continued creating one-off aluminium panels for pre and post-war motor cars in time-honoured traditions. Indeed, the most immaculate curves and lines seen on the world's most expensive cars start life in workshops such as these.

The English wheel, rollers, clamps, hammers and shaped wood bucks are all that are required to turn flat aluminium into the most voluptuous and inspired shapes imaginable. Ian’s skill and experience has created this most exceptional aluminium bodied Jaguar Special, based on a 1946 2 ½ litre Jaguar MkIV and styled on the Count Trossi pre-war Mercedes.

See & hear the engine running here on this You Tube video: - details above

Featuring a suitably long 10 foot long wheelbase and built on the post war 2 ½ litre Jaguar chassis with the 2663cc 102bhp overhead valve 6-cylinder Standard-derived engine - all the engine tooling now purchased by Jaguar - suspension was by semi elliptic leaf springs front and rear, with Girling rod-operated brakes, 4’8” track, and a 4 speed gearbox to a 4. 55:1 final drive.

This was enough to propel the 2 ½ litre Jaguar saloon to 87mph, and perhaps a bit more with the lighter and sleeker coachwork offered today.

With incredible retro styling, this A-road car attracts attention wherever it goes. Combined with a very sporty exhaust note, this car has performance to keep up with traffic today as well as being a worthy entry into any concours show event. Registered at Swansea with V5C historic convertible status

BACKGROUND

Pre-war, Count Carlo Felice Trossi was a wealthy Italian nobleman car collector and also a racing car driver among the famous set of drivers to include Earl Howe, Chiron, Wimille, Ascari, Varzi, Stuck, and Nuvolari. Indeed he was also invited as president & investor in Enzo Ferrari’s budding racing team in 1932 at the age of just 23, Ferrari being 34 at the time, only to leave in 1935 to build an extremely unusual 750kg 4-litre 16-cylinder 2-stroke radial engined twin supercharged formula car. It was not a success.

Ever keen on design, in June 1933 Trossi acquired one of forty 1930 supercharged 7. 1 litre SSK Mercedes fitted with a 2-seat Spyder body by Touring of Milan. This car had already competed in two Mille Miglia events. Not content, Trossi dramatically styled his own coachwork for his Mercedes, to include a long bonnet, short cockpit and four flowing enveloping wings. Luggage space was minimal in the tail. In recent years this unique car has been owned by Sir Anthony Bamford, and part of the Ralph Lauren collection since the 1980s – achieving best in show at the 1993 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the same best in show award at the 2007 Italian Villa d’Este Concours, with many other show wins, even appearing at this year’s Pebble Beach in California.

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Although we attempt to ensure accuracy of any statement or detail, the customer must make his or her own judgement in purchasing this car. The purchaser of the above car understands that he or she is purchasing a historic motor car with components that are up to 78 years old and sold as a collector item. There is no warranty given or implied due to the age of the car