1960 Heritage 'C Type'

Our eye-catching car is understood to have been built in 1976 by Heritage Engineering, which later became Realm who are still active today. The donor car was believed to have been a 1960 S-Type Jaguar, whose date of manufacture and other details are reflected in the current V5. This example has lived an interesting life and can be considered both well-travelled and having travelled well.

After some time in the UK, the car was exported to the USA in around 1985 and is thought to have competed in the 1990 Carrera Pan American road rally. In 1993 the car made its way to France and became part of a large private car collection. The next we hear of the car is when it comes to auction at Sandown Park in the UK in the year 2000. At this point our car is wearing the registration number 343 AUW.

At auction, the car is bought by the Titty Ho Motor Company in Northamptonshire. Whilst in their possession the C-Type replica was lent to Practical Classics magazine to commemorate the opening of their new HQ. During that event the car was driven, and signed, by none other than Sir Stirling Moss.

The current owner acquired the car from Titty Ho in 2001. He is a serious autophile with an interesting collection of cars including at least two other Jaguars. He has used and thoroughly enjoyed the car, having covered a shade under 20,000 miles under his stewardship. Those miles have included trips to Le Mans, Goodwood, Monaco and other motoring Meccas. He confirms that “it is a really good car for touring,” before adding “you don’t even get wet when it rains……as long as you keep going.” During his tenure the vendor was able to apply to the DVLA for a true, age-related registration number. As luck would have it the number 420 LSF was available, very neatly conjuring up the '53 Le Mans winning car’s LSF 420 number.

The seller is only now parting with the C-Type Replica after 22 happy years to make way for another classic, most likely with a Jaguar Leaper on the bonnet.

Our car is presented in gleaming British Racing Green livery with Wimbledon White number roundels on each flank, bonnet and rump. As our photographic package reveals the paintwork is in fine order throughout. There is the odd paint chip on the rounded nose, but that just underscores this car’s status as one that is regularly enjoyed rather than being just a garage queen. The GRP bodywork is in equally fine fettle but not, inevitably for a car of this stature, without a tale to tell.

It is a tale about the tail as it happens. Around 17 years ago a car collided at low speed with the rear of the C-Type Replica. The damage was slight but did involve a professional repair to the bodywork and paintwork to the affected area. As bad luck would have it, it was in the area that carried Sir Stirling’s signature which was, consequently, lost.

Our car sits on 15-inch, painted, cross spoked wire wheels. These are in a nice original looking condition and are affixed with chromed, twin eared spinners which are engraved with the Jaguar script. The wires are fitted with a recent set of Avon 215/70 radial type, period look tyres.

There’s some lovely detail to drink in on the exterior of this example, too. On the nearside, a big silencer and twin tail pipes emerge from under the bonnet. Twin glass aero screens are fitted and are themselves protected by a Perspex screen extender. This bears various stickers and badges documenting some of the car’s trips and adventures. A chromed, teardrop wing mirror is fitted on the driver’s side, and the big alloy filler cap sits behind the driver. The carefully calibrated, wooden dipping stick (pictured) will certainly be included.

The vendor describes the interior as “nicely patinated” and we concur. It is, again, a sign of a life well lived and oozes charm and originality in equal measure. The bucket seats are highly supportive and surprisingly comfortable, keeping you firmly located at the waist. The squabs are upholstered into vertical box pleats and four-point, Securon harnesses are fitted.

The C-Type-esque tubular spaceframe is in evidence in places and is finished in grey/silver patinated paintwork. A neat reminder of the history and racing pedigree of the C-Type. Mid-tan carpet abounds with it finishing the floors, footwells, transmission tunnel and rear bulkhead.

The padded dashboard is a period-correct delight. The binnacle features a set of familiar Jaguar white-on-black Smiths gauges. These sit behind a lovely Mota-lita three spoked alloy steering wheel with a nicely worn wooden rim.

This C-Type replica has genuine Jaguar DNA and provenance by the bucket load. Its origins lay in a 1960 S-Type Jaguar after all. The 3.8 litre XK engine, four-speed gearbox with overdrive and IRS rear end are all thought to have originated from that donor. The Heritage/Realm body is known to offer a tubular frame with aluminium bulkheads and floors.

The owner knows what he wants from his cars and has commissioned significant work to the car to get it to perform faultlessly and to his liking. This work includes having the suspension fitted with bespoke, hand-built shock absorbers. These are fully adjustable and are currently set up for the road. The triple SU carburettors have been professionally tuned and balanced and programable electronic ignition has been fitted. The engine has been partially rebuilt and the gearbox has undergone a specialist refurbishment. A new clutch has also been fitted.

The result of this diligent and focused attention is a car that starts on the button, idles cleanly and runs, handles and stops extremely well. As the vendor says, he likes to keep his cars in a condition that can support short-notice, long-distance trips on demand and without worry. This care and attention also results in an under-bonnet presentation of which anyone would be proud.

It’s always good to see a bulging ring-binder during a visit and that’s what this car offers its lucky new owner. There is a great deal of interesting and provenance-providing paperwork on hand. So much, in fact, that we photographed just a sample of the more recent and more interesting paperwork for review.

The current V5 in the seller's name is present and so is a current MoT valid until April 2024. Of course, the C-Type replica is registered as a Historic Vehicle and, as such, is VED and MoT exempt. Quite rightly, however, the current owner values the peace of mind that an annual MoT offers.

Some paperwork is on hand that relates to the car’s earlier life in Arizona and, later, France. There is also a listing from the 2000 auction and an article confirming Sir Stirling Moss’s outing in the car from around the same time.

Perhaps most useful and instructive, however, is the seller's list of works undertaken during his tenure. This details the work undertaken, the date and the cost. This shows that a total of £18,590.70 has been spent on the car since he acquired it in 2001.

Such is the stature and desirability of the C-Type that good replicas are themselves sought-after and much respected. Those emanating from Heritage/Realm are favoured by those who know their stuff, mainly for their quality and authenticity. A fine replica of this nature is a way to sample the mystique and prowess of the original but without the need for financial resources of “Musk” proportions.

In our opinion this is a very good replica. It has clearly been enjoyed and cherished in equal measure and it has been set up to the liking of an experienced and discerning owner. It offers charm and pleasing patina to spare and is ready to drive away and enjoy by its next lucky owner. Surely an ownership proposition too good to miss at our estimate of £45,000-£55,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Northampton. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.