Highlights
- Highly regarded Realm Engineering evocation with chassis by F1/IndyCar designer Adrian Reynard
- Built to replicate a real 1954 short nose D-Type as closely as possible
- Thoroughly overhauled during current ownership of 4 years
- Classic Jaguar BRG with OEW roundels and reconditioned 4.2L XK engine
- Participated at Prescott, Brighton Speed Week, and Goodwood
- Bespoke hand-built stainless steel exhaust to Le Mans specifications
The Appeal
With just 71 D-Types built, of which only 53 were privateer cars, the chances of bagging one, let alone feeling comfortable driving it on the road, are vanishingly rare. Step forward Realm Engineering, which solved the problem with its excellent D-Type replica.
The Realm cars are far more than mere style-driven evocations. Beneath the dimensionally accurate bodywork lies a chassis developed by Formula One and Indy car supremo Adrian Reynard. The running gear is also drawn from Jaguar, generally using 1960s architecture and XK engines.
This superb Realm replica is based on the early, ‘purer’ short-nose D-Type, built in 1954 and 55. It is a beautifully presented example, classically finished in British Racing Green. The attention to detail is impressive - the roundels are in correct Old English White, there’s an engine-turned dashboard, period-correct decals and even scrutineering stickers.
The vendor is a retired engineer and acquired the car in 2022. He tells us that he has thoroughly overhauled the car, prioritising originalityand attending to minor details to ensure everything works correctly. Beneath the bonnet we are told that there is an E Type Series 1 ‘1B’ prefix engine, which records show was reconditioned in the mid-Noughties. Most of the running gear is also E-Type. He has fitted a bespoke stainless exhaust that is said to be similar to the factory cars and sounds fantastic. The history file includes old tax, discs, various invoices and handwritten notes. We’re told this car has appeared at Prescott, Goodwood and Brighton Speed Trials.
The Realm D-Type provides an evocative classic that goes as well as it looks. This much-prized rarity has clearly been cared for and arrives with the buyer in fine order.
The vendor says:
“I wanted to be as close to an original as possible, all classic Jaguar parts etc. without spending millions on a real one. It’s quite wonderful to drive, and it attracts attention from all who see it. It really does feel like driving a Spitfire fighter on the road!”
History and Paperwork
- Jaguar 340 donor vehicle first registered December 1962
- Colour change recorded April 1994, which may be when this car was built, but this is not confirmed
- Current keeper since October 2022
- Current keeper is a retired engineer who has done most of the work himself
- We are told that the car has been overhauled entirely during ownership
- Kept as authentic as possible using period drawings and re-manufactured parts
- Built using classic Jaguar parts to be as close to original as possible
- Participated in events including Prescott, Brighton Speed Week, and Goodwood
- Successfully completed road trips in Wales since 2022
- Private registration plate included in sale
- Handwritten notes, photos, tax discs and invoices as shown
- Various invoices from around 2005 documenting engine work shown in photos
- VIN number 160576DN
- MOT and tax exempt
- V5C
The vendor says:
“I’ve had it for 4 years. Over time I’ve tried to renew or replace whatever needed doing, I’ve thoroughly overhauled the entire car, everything works and runs great. I’ve also tried to keep it as authentic as is possible, using period drawings, re-manufactured parts etc. Before my ownership, it took part in various events. Prescott, Brighton Speed Week, Goodwood etc.”
The Condition
- Finished in thick original Jaguar BRG paint with correct Old English White roundels
- Highly detailed car with decals and other details focussed on originality
- Vendor advises minor paint imperfections on rear deck (barely visible)
- Sits on Dunlop D-Type style wheels with matching Dunlop tyres
- Features old scrutineering details, period correct instruments and fittings
- Black bucket seats with engine-turned dashboard and trim as shown
- The vendor informs us that everything works and runs great
The vendor says:
“Great condition. Thick original Jaguar BRG paint, and the correct Old English White for the roundels. Some minor paint imperfections on the rear deck, but you have to look hard to see them. Great patina.
“Again, everything was done to make it as close as possible to a real 1954 short-nose D-Type. Lots of cool details, old scruteneering bits and bobs, period correct instruments and fittings.”
The Mechanics
- 4,235cc straight-six XK engine
- Four-speed manual gearbox
- Vendor states that car has an E-Type Mk 1B 4.2-litre engine
- We are told that most of the running gear is from an E-Type
- Realm Engineering chassis designed by F1/IndyCar designer Adrian Reynard
- Bespoke hand-built stainless steel exhaust system to original factory Le Mans specifications
- Exhaust is very loud but sounds wonderful, compared by the vendor to a WW2 Merlin engine
- The vendor reports that it runs and drives great and is quite usable
The vendor says:
“It’s all very good. I’m a retired engineer, so I've done most of everything myself. It runs great, drives great and is quite usable. I’ve been on a few road trips to Wales, all good. The exhaust system is bespoke, hand-built stainless steel to the original factory Le Mans specs. It’s very loud, but sounds wonderful. People say it sounds like a Merlin engine from WW2, which it does admirably. The engine is an E-Type mk 1B 4.2l. As is most of the running gear. The Realm Engineering chassis was designed by F1/Indycar designer Adrian Reynard.”
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