Designed in 1960, the Jaguar XJ13 was a mid-engined prototype intended to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, construction of the XJ13 did not take place until 1965, with the first running car finished in 1966. Fearing the XJ13 may detract buyers from the recently released E-Type, Jaguar founder, Sir William Lyons, instructed his team not to test the car.
That however, was not to be the case... [read more]
Powered by a 5.0-liter V12, the XJ13 was designed by Malcolm Sayer and featured an all aluminimum body. And although instructed not to test the XJ13, chief engineer Bill Heynes arranged for test driver Norman Dewis to run the car at the MIRA proving ground, where the XJ13 easily surpassed the 175mph mark.
Hearing about the MIRA tests, Lyons summoned Bill Heynes to explain his actions. During their meeting, Heynes somehow managed to convince Lyons that testing of the XJ13 was necessary and that the team should test the car on weekends to see how far it could be developed. 
Fast forward to 1971. After sitting in storage for a number of years, the mid-engined Jaguar was taken back to the MIRA proving grounds for a film shoot with Norman Dewis at the wheel yet again. 
At more than 140mph on the high banking, a wheel on the XJ13 suddenly collapsed, sending both Dewis and the Jaguar end over end. And although Dewis managed to walk away from the accident, the car was finished.
Years later, instead of being scrapped like many prototypes of the time, the XJ13 was instead rebuilt and is now apart of the Jaguar Heritage Trust collection.
Seen at many vintage motoring festivals around the world, the XJ13 prototype lives on as Jaguar's first mid-engined sports car.
Images & Info: MotorsportRetro
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey
11.25.2009
HISTORY // THE JAGUAR XJ13 PROTOTYPE
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I never get tired of seeing this car. It is, along with the D-, and E-type a testament to Sayer's genius.
ReplyDelete--chuck
Justin? They built 2, you know. The MIRA wreck was never seen again.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at Jaguar in Brown's Lane, in 1994, I think, we had the annual cavalcade of D types and XKSS about to set off for Le Mans. The Le Mans 'winning' XJ220 was there. So was the 13. Everybody missed this old beauty. I was lucky enough to be chatting to the driver when it was time to put it back inside, and he fired her up. WOW!
P.S. I dunno who's pix show it in blue, but it's only ever been BRGreen.
Hi Justin - I came across your blog and see you perpetuate the rumour that, "Hearing about the MIRA tests, Lyons summoned Bill Heynes to explain his actions. During their meeting, Heynes somehow managed to convince Lyons that testing of the XJ13 was necessary and that the team should test the car on weekends to see how far it could be developed." This never happened! All testing was done with the full knowledge of Jaguar senior management and is well-documented. Check out http://www.xj13.eu for the facts.
ReplyDeleteTim - only ONE car was built.