4 days ago
Rare Jaguar D-Type heads to auction in Switzerland
XKD 551 was sold new in October 1957 and converted by its first owner to semi-XKSS specification, with a passenger door, full-width windscreen and other modifications. Subsequent owners included James Dawnay, noted for racing the Aston Martin DBR1/1, and Australian Formula One driver Paul Hawkins.
In the 1970s, the car was returned to its original D-Type configuration. Its original in-line-six engine was removed for preservation and replaced with a correct-specification unit. After changing hands several times, the car was acquired by its current Swiss owner in 1994.
That owner later commissioned a rebuild of the original engine, which remained in storage for nearly two decades before being refitted. The car recently underwent servicing by Swiss specialists Graber Sportgarage in preparation for sale.
