Highlights
- Carefully detailed Jaguar C-Type recreation
- Built by noted C-Type specialist Realm
- The depth of the attention to detail is what sets this recreation apart
- Desirable Ecurie Ecosse colour scheme
- Recently serviced and long MOT
The Appeal
The beautiful C-Type was not just Jaguar’s route to podium success but the proving ground for its aerodynamics-obsessed designer, Malcolm Sayer. Who would, of course, go on to pen the E-Type.
Officially known as the XK120-C, the C-Type was essentially a road going XK120 reclothed with aluminium bodywork that was designed to slip effortlessly through the air. And it did, enabling the fast-growing Coventry concern to win at Le Mans, not once but twice.
Just 53 road going C-Types were built, meaning demand for these evocative cars always outstrips supply. Step forward Worcestershire’s Realm Engineering which developed a convincing C-Type recreation for those who might miss out on the few originals.
This 2010 Realm-built recreation stands apart for its intricate level of detailing and attractive Ecurie Ecosse paintwork. Recently serviced with long MOT it looks like a very rewarding entry into the world of classic racing Jaguars.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered on 11th August 2010
- Correctly registered with the DVLA as a Realm C-Type
- Realm C-Types are built by the company rather than purely supplied as kits
- Supplied with its original documentation and invoices
- Letter of provenance concerning the 4.2litre Jaguar XJ Series 3 XK engine
- MOT to 20th February 2024 with no advisories
- The car has only covered 12 miles since the last MOT
- Last serviced in July 2022
The Realm C-Type is designed to be as close as possible to the aesthetics, structure and running gear of the original factory cars. It uses a bespoke spaceframe chassis with a composite body built on top. Flat aluminium plates are riveted to the chassis as they were by the factory on the racing cars. The body is also said to be dimensionally accurate to the original cars.
This C-Type was built by the factory in 2010 using the 4.2litre XK engine from a Series 3 Jaguar XJ saloon. There is a letter of provenance in the history file for the engine.
The Interior
- Neatly detailed interior that closely matches the original cars but with concessions to modern comfort
- Well preserved interior in good condition
- Black leather bucket seats piped red
- Contrasting red carpets
- Aluminium drilled footrests
- Mota Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel
- Smiths dials
- Crackle-finish black dashboard
- Willans harnesses
With any recreation or replica, what sets good ones apart is the depth of detail. This C-Type certainly has that and it starts with the evocative interior. It hits a nice balance between replicating the original’s aesthetics and making concessions to modern day comforts that enable such a car to be enjoyable and usable.
There are nice details like the crackle black finish to the dashboard and the Smiths dials. There are black leather bucket seats with red piping, offered in a similar style to the original cars. They are fitted with Willans racing harnesses. The red carpeting is a nice touch that livens the interior. Elsewhere there are aluminium foot rests carefully drilled to reduce weight.
There is a Mota Lita wood-rimmed wheel and aluminium billeted gear knob, which shows some light signs of wear.
Then there are the wonderful quadruplet of aero screens, one of the neatest touches on this carefully detailed car.
The interior is in very good condition. There are a few chips and light scuffs visible on the painted areas and the driver’s door has an area of poor finish but otherwise it is exceptionally presentable and reflects the low mileage and careful ownership.
The Exterior
- Suitably finished in Flag Blue Ecurie Ecosse livery with racing number roundels
- Composite bodywork produced to a high standard by Realm
- Spaceframe chassis similar to the construction of the original cars
- Chrome wire wheels with quality tyres by Blockley and Avon
- Some very minor marks around the car but do not detract from the appearance
- The car’s stance is very similar to the factory cars
The original C-Type demonstrated the value of smooth, aerodynamic shapes but in focussing on form, Jaguar inadvertently created a particularly beautiful shape. It has endured and the Ecurie Ecosse colours of this Realm demonstrates why these cars remain so popular over 70 years since they barrelled down the Mulsanne Straight.
The Realm recreation is said to be dimensionally very accurate to the original and certainly the photographs of this car suggest it would be hard to differentiate the realm from the recreation except by the most dedicated of enthusiasts. The detailing reflects the care put into developing these cars, from the bonnet flutes and air intact to the distinctive tail design.
This low mileage Realm is in very good condition. There are some stone chips and localised marks around the car but nothing significant to detract from its overall impact.
The car sits on 16in chrome wire wheels with knock-off spinners in great condition and fitted with a combination of quality Blockley and Avon rubber.
The spaceframe chassis is in a condition commensurate with the low mileage and bodywork and there were no structural advisories on the last MOT.
The Mechanics
- XK 4.2litre engine sourced from a Series 3 XJ saloon
- Converted to triple carburettor set up
- Carefully detailed engine bay including addition of C-Type badging to the cam covers
- Fitted with a Toyota manual gearbox
- Last serviced in July 2022 and has covered few miles since
The heart of any C-Type should of course be Jaguar’s long-lived XK motor. The original cars ran in 3.4litre displacement while this one has the 4.2litre capacity more familiar to buyers of XJ saloons and E-Types. There is a letter of provenance for the engine in the history file and it is running on three carburettors like the factory cars.
The engine bay is nicely detailed, including the Type C badges on the cam covers. The car was last serviced in July 2022 and has covered few miles since.
Summary
Jaguar has produced many seminal cars but few with the race-winning pedigree and rarity of the seminal XK120-C. For those who can’t stretch to the many pounds required to buy an original, the carefully detailed Realm evocations are a more accessible and usable alternative.
Nicely finished in Ecurie Ecosse racing colours and with lovely detail touches like those aero screens, this Realm C-Type promises a real treat to the lucky buyer.
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