XKC 401

Engine n° E2001-9 Reg. N° OVC 501 Colour BRG

Prototype D-type and first to be completed; first tested on 13/4/54 at Lindley, f requent testing at Lindley, Silverstone on 3/5/54; Le Mans tests on 815154, set unofficial lap record; frequent testing at Gayden & Lindley; 25/5/54 evening test at Gaydon with Moss; 27/5/54 filmed for television with Rolt driving; development testing continued in late 1954; 3/2 55 taken to Silverstone for driver tests; 14/2/54 used at MlRAfor BBC recording; tyre testing; ZF diff evaluated; mid-1955 de Dion rear suspension fitted to car and later removed; car never raced; retained by Jaguar & lent for many years to National Motor Museum (Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK); displayed by Jaguar at 1958 & 1966 Geneva Shows; displayed in reception/ showroom at Browns Lane in recent years; some work done on car in 1980s by John Pearson; owned by Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (Coventry, UK).