LUNCH BREAK VIDEO // 1955 JAGUAR D-TYPE

Only 87 examples of Jaguar's D-Type were ever produced. This particular one, driven by Mike Hawthorn and Ivor Bueb at the 1955 ‘24 Hours of Le Mans,’ may be the most famous of all.

What was later called 'The Le Mans Disaster,' Mercedes-Benz driver Pierre Levegh lost control of his 300 SLR after contact with an Austin-Healey and crashed into an embankment, killing him instantly. The car somersaulted, which then caused the SLR's hood, fenders and front axle to be hurled into the crowd just beyond the embankment. In all, some 80 spectators were killed due to the crash.

When word reached the Mercedes headquarters in Stuttgart, the two remaining Mercedes cars, driven by Juan Miguel Fangio/Sterling Moss and Karl Kling/André Simon, were ordered to withdraw from competition, handing the victory to Hawthorn and Bueb.

An amazing car with a tragic history. Video comes courtesy of Fifth Gear // 01.28.2009