Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Lamborghini Espada

2008-11-02T23:11:51Z

96.245.75.75:

Jaguar D-Type

2008-10-26T21:54:46Z

96.245.75.75:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Jaguaddtype450.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Jaguar D-Type'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Jaguar]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Jaguar type-D
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1954-1957
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Car
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Roadster
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 154.0 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 65.4 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
| 44.0 in
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 90.9 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
|2,460 lbs.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| Four-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| In-line 6
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 250 bhp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Jaguar C-type, Jaguar E-type,Ferrari Daytona, Iso Grifo
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Malcolm Sayer]]
|}
The '''Jaguar D-type''', like its predecessor the [[Jaguar C-Type|C-Type]], was a factory-built [[race car]]. Although it shared the basic [[straight-6]] [[Jaguar XK6 engine|XK]] engine design (uprated to 3.8 litres) with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different. Perhaps its most ground-breaking innovation was the introduction of a [[monocoque]] [[chassis]], which not only introduced aircraft-style engineering to competition car design, but also an aeronautical understanding of aerodynamic efficiency. The D-type was introduced purely for competition, but after [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] withdrew from racing the company offered the remaining, unfinished chassis as the roadgoing '''[[Jaguar XKSS]]''', by making changes to the racers: adding an extra seat, another door, a full-width windshield and primitive folding top, as concessions to practicality. However, on the evening of 12 February 1957, a fire broke out at the Browns Lane plant destroying nine of the twenty five cars that had already been completed or in semi-completion. Production is thought to have included 53 customer D-types, 18 factory team cars, and 16 XKSS versions.

==Design==
The new chassis followed aircraft engineering practice, being manufactured according to [[monocoque]] principals. The central ''tub'', within which the driver sat, was formed from sheets of aluminium alloy. To this was attached an aluminium tubing subframe carrying the bonnet, engine, front suspension, and steering assembly. The rear suspension and final drive were mounted directly onto the monocoque itself. Fuel was carried in deformable ''bags'' inside cells within the monocoque; another aircraft innovation.

The highly efficient, aerodynamic bodywork was largely the work of [[Malcolm Sayer]], who joined Jaguar following a stint with the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War II. Although he also worked on the C-Type, the limitations of the conventional separate-chassis did not allow full expression of his talent. For the D-Type, Sayer insisted on a minimal frontal area. To reduce its height, Haynes and former-[[Bentley]] engineer [[Walter Hassan]] developed [[dry sump]] lubrication for the XK engine. By also canting the engine over by 8° (resulting in the trademark, off-centre bonnet bulge) the reduction in area was achieved. Care was taken to reduce drag due to the underbody, resulting in an unusually high top speed; for the long [[Circuit de la Sarthe|Mulsanne Straight]] at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], a large vertical stabiliser was mounted behind the driver's head. For the 1955 season, factory cars were fitted with a revised, ''long-nose'' version of the bodywork, which increased top speed even further.

Mechanically, many features were shared with the outgoing C-Type. The ground-breaking [[disc brakes]] were retained, as was the XK engine. Apart from the new lubrication system, as development progressed during the D-Type's competition life the engine was also revised. 1955 saw the introduction of larger [[Poppet valve|valves]], and an asymmetrical [[cylinder head]] design within which to accommodate them. The Jaguar D-type was the second racing car to have [[Dunlop]] [[disk brakes]]. The [[Citroën DS]], introduced a year later, was the first production car with disk brakes in Europe. The [[Powel Crosley|Crosley Hotshot]] was the first American automobile with disk brakes, in 1949.

Elements of the body shape were used in the iconic [[Jaguar E-type|E-type]] which, despite the name, was not technically a descendant of this car.

==Competition History==
The D-type was produced by a team who always had at least one eye on the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the most prestigious endurance race of the time. As soon as it was introduced to the racing world in 1954, the D-type was making its presence felt. For the [[1954 24 Hours of Le Mans]] the new car was expected to perform well, and perhaps even win. However, the cars were hampered by sand in their fuel. After the fault had been diagnosed and the sand removed, the car driven by [[Duncan Hamilton]] and [[Tony Rolt]] quickly got back on the pace, finishing less than one lap down on the winning [[Ferrari]].

The 1955 car incorporated the new long-nose bodywork, and the engine had been uprated with larger valves. The team again proved strong at [[1955 24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], and with no sand to worry about they were a good match for the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR]] cars who were hotly tipped to win. Sadly the contest was curtailed by [[1955 Le Mans disaster|one of the worst accidents ever to occur in motorsport]]: after only three hours of the twenty-four had elapsed, [[Pierre Levegh]]'s SLR clipped the tail of an [[Austin-Healey]], sending the German machine into the hay-bale barrier. The Mercedes erupted into a flaming ball and sent burning wreckage and debris into the crowd. More than 80 people, including Levegh, were killed, and many more injured. Merceded withdrew from the race almost immediately, although at the time [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] was leading in his SLR, but Jaguar opted to continue. Some blamed [[Mike Hawthorn]] for causing the crash as he swerved his D-type in front of the Healey, setting off a chain off the tragic chain of events. Hawthorn and his co-driver [[Ivor Bueb]] went on to win the race.

[[Image:Jaguar XKD 606 1956.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Jaguar D-type ''XKD606'', the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans]]-winning car, respelendant in its [[Ecurie Ecosse]] metallic Flag Blue livery.]]

With Merecedes deciding to withdraw from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season, the field was clear for Jaguar to clean up at the [[1956 24 Hours of Le Mans]] race. However, it proved to be a bad year for the works team; only one of their three cars made it to the finish, and then only in 6th place. Luckily for the D-type's reputation, the small [[Edinburgh]]-based team [[Ecurie Ecosse]] were also running a D-type, driven by [[Ron Flockhart]] and [[Ninian Sanderson]], and this car came through to win ahead of works teams from both [[Aston Martin]] and [[Scuderia Ferrari]]. Away from Le Mans, the Cunningham Team raced several Jaguar D-types after being offered the automobiles by Jaguar's head, [[William Lyons|Sir William Lyons]], if [[Briggs Cunningham]] would stop building his own automobiles. In May of 1956, the Cunningham team's entries in the Cumberland circuit in Maryland included three of those D-type Jaguars — characteristically painted in the pristine white-and-blue Cunningham Team colors — for drivers [[John Fitch (driver)|John Fitch]], [[John Gordon Benett]], and [[Sherwood Johnston]].

Ironically, after Jaguar had withdrawn from motorsport at the end of the 1956 season, 1957 proved to be the D-type's most successful year. In the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans|1957 Le Mans race]] D-types took five of the top six placings; Ecurie Ecosse (with a large degree of support from Jaguar, and a 3.8L engine) again took the win, and second place. This was the high-water mark in the car's career however. With ever decreasing factory support and increasingly competitive cars from rival manufacturers, the D-type's star waned. Although it continued to be one of the cars to beat in club- and national-level races it never again achieved a podium result at Le Mans, and by the early 1960s had disappeared into obsolescence.

==See Also==

{{Jaguar}}

==External links==
*[http://www.autoswalk.com/news/article/14/100.html History at AutosWalk.com]
*[http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1598 History at Ultimatecarpage.com]
*[http://www.mike-hawthorn.org.uk/d-type.php The Mike Hawthorn Tribute Site, the D-type]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/jaguar-d-type-sets-record-price-at-auction/ Jaguar D-Type sets record price at auction]

{{commonscat|Jaguar XKD}}

[[Category:Jaguar vehicles|D-type]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]

Jaguar D-Type

2008-10-26T21:53:49Z

96.245.75.75:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Jaguaddtype450.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Jaguar D-Type'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Jaguar]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{Write aka here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1954-1957
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Car
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Roadster
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 154.0 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 65.4 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
| 44.0 in
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 90.9 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
|2,460 lbs.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| Four-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| In-line 6
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 250 bhp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Jaguar C-type, Jaguar E-type,Ferrari Daytona, Iso Grifo
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Malcolm Sayer]]
|}
The '''Jaguar D-type''', like its predecessor the [[Jaguar C-Type|C-Type]], was a factory-built [[race car]]. Although it shared the basic [[straight-6]] [[Jaguar XK6 engine|XK]] engine design (uprated to 3.8 litres) with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different. Perhaps its most ground-breaking innovation was the introduction of a [[monocoque]] [[chassis]], which not only introduced aircraft-style engineering to competition car design, but also an aeronautical understanding of aerodynamic efficiency. The D-type was introduced purely for competition, but after [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] withdrew from racing the company offered the remaining, unfinished chassis as the roadgoing '''[[Jaguar XKSS]]''', by making changes to the racers: adding an extra seat, another door, a full-width windshield and primitive folding top, as concessions to practicality. However, on the evening of 12 February 1957, a fire broke out at the Browns Lane plant destroying nine of the twenty five cars that had already been completed or in semi-completion. Production is thought to have included 53 customer D-types, 18 factory team cars, and 16 XKSS versions.

==Design==
The new chassis followed aircraft engineering practice, being manufactured according to [[monocoque]] principals. The central ''tub'', within which the driver sat, was formed from sheets of aluminium alloy. To this was attached an aluminium tubing subframe carrying the bonnet, engine, front suspension, and steering assembly. The rear suspension and final drive were mounted directly onto the monocoque itself. Fuel was carried in deformable ''bags'' inside cells within the monocoque; another aircraft innovation.

The highly efficient, aerodynamic bodywork was largely the work of [[Malcolm Sayer]], who joined Jaguar following a stint with the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War II. Although he also worked on the C-Type, the limitations of the conventional separate-chassis did not allow full expression of his talent. For the D-Type, Sayer insisted on a minimal frontal area. To reduce its height, Haynes and former-[[Bentley]] engineer [[Walter Hassan]] developed [[dry sump]] lubrication for the XK engine. By also canting the engine over by 8° (resulting in the trademark, off-centre bonnet bulge) the reduction in area was achieved. Care was taken to reduce drag due to the underbody, resulting in an unusually high top speed; for the long [[Circuit de la Sarthe|Mulsanne Straight]] at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], a large vertical stabiliser was mounted behind the driver's head. For the 1955 season, factory cars were fitted with a revised, ''long-nose'' version of the bodywork, which increased top speed even further.

Mechanically, many features were shared with the outgoing C-Type. The ground-breaking [[disc brakes]] were retained, as was the XK engine. Apart from the new lubrication system, as development progressed during the D-Type's competition life the engine was also revised. 1955 saw the introduction of larger [[Poppet valve|valves]], and an asymmetrical [[cylinder head]] design within which to accommodate them. The Jaguar D-type was the second racing car to have [[Dunlop]] [[disk brakes]]. The [[Citroën DS]], introduced a year later, was the first production car with disk brakes in Europe. The [[Powel Crosley|Crosley Hotshot]] was the first American automobile with disk brakes, in 1949.

Elements of the body shape were used in the iconic [[Jaguar E-type|E-type]] which, despite the name, was not technically a descendant of this car.

==Competition History==
The D-type was produced by a team who always had at least one eye on the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the most prestigious endurance race of the time. As soon as it was introduced to the racing world in 1954, the D-type was making its presence felt. For the [[1954 24 Hours of Le Mans]] the new car was expected to perform well, and perhaps even win. However, the cars were hampered by sand in their fuel. After the fault had been diagnosed and the sand removed, the car driven by [[Duncan Hamilton]] and [[Tony Rolt]] quickly got back on the pace, finishing less than one lap down on the winning [[Ferrari]].

The 1955 car incorporated the new long-nose bodywork, and the engine had been uprated with larger valves. The team again proved strong at [[1955 24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], and with no sand to worry about they were a good match for the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR]] cars who were hotly tipped to win. Sadly the contest was curtailed by [[1955 Le Mans disaster|one of the worst accidents ever to occur in motorsport]]: after only three hours of the twenty-four had elapsed, [[Pierre Levegh]]'s SLR clipped the tail of an [[Austin-Healey]], sending the German machine into the hay-bale barrier. The Mercedes erupted into a flaming ball and sent burning wreckage and debris into the crowd. More than 80 people, including Levegh, were killed, and many more injured. Merceded withdrew from the race almost immediately, although at the time [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] was leading in his SLR, but Jaguar opted to continue. Some blamed [[Mike Hawthorn]] for causing the crash as he swerved his D-type in front of the Healey, setting off a chain off the tragic chain of events. Hawthorn and his co-driver [[Ivor Bueb]] went on to win the race.

[[Image:Jaguar XKD 606 1956.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Jaguar D-type ''XKD606'', the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans]]-winning car, respelendant in its [[Ecurie Ecosse]] metallic Flag Blue livery.]]

With Merecedes deciding to withdraw from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season, the field was clear for Jaguar to clean up at the [[1956 24 Hours of Le Mans]] race. However, it proved to be a bad year for the works team; only one of their three cars made it to the finish, and then only in 6th place. Luckily for the D-type's reputation, the small [[Edinburgh]]-based team [[Ecurie Ecosse]] were also running a D-type, driven by [[Ron Flockhart]] and [[Ninian Sanderson]], and this car came through to win ahead of works teams from both [[Aston Martin]] and [[Scuderia Ferrari]]. Away from Le Mans, the Cunningham Team raced several Jaguar D-types after being offered the automobiles by Jaguar's head, [[William Lyons|Sir William Lyons]], if [[Briggs Cunningham]] would stop building his own automobiles. In May of 1956, the Cunningham team's entries in the Cumberland circuit in Maryland included three of those D-type Jaguars — characteristically painted in the pristine white-and-blue Cunningham Team colors — for drivers [[John Fitch (driver)|John Fitch]], [[John Gordon Benett]], and [[Sherwood Johnston]].

Ironically, after Jaguar had withdrawn from motorsport at the end of the 1956 season, 1957 proved to be the D-type's most successful year. In the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans|1957 Le Mans race]] D-types took five of the top six placings; Ecurie Ecosse (with a large degree of support from Jaguar, and a 3.8L engine) again took the win, and second place. This was the high-water mark in the car's career however. With ever decreasing factory support and increasingly competitive cars from rival manufacturers, the D-type's star waned. Although it continued to be one of the cars to beat in club- and national-level races it never again achieved a podium result at Le Mans, and by the early 1960s had disappeared into obsolescence.

==See Also==

{{Jaguar}}

==External links==
*[http://www.autoswalk.com/news/article/14/100.html History at AutosWalk.com]
*[http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1598 History at Ultimatecarpage.com]
*[http://www.mike-hawthorn.org.uk/d-type.php The Mike Hawthorn Tribute Site, the D-type]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/jaguar-d-type-sets-record-price-at-auction/ Jaguar D-Type sets record price at auction]

{{commonscat|Jaguar XKD}}

[[Category:Jaguar vehicles|D-type]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]

Jaguar D-Type

2008-10-26T21:53:13Z

96.245.75.75:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Jaguaddtype450.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Jaguar D-Type'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Jaguar]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{Write aka here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
|
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Car
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Roadster
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 154.0 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 65.4 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
| 44.0 in
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 90.9 in.
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
|2,460 lbs.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| Four-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| In-line 6
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 250 bhp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Jaguar C-type, Jaguar E-type,Ferrari Daytona, Iso Grifo
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Malcolm Sayer]]
|}
The '''Jaguar D-type''', like its predecessor the [[Jaguar C-Type|C-Type]], was a factory-built [[race car]]. Although it shared the basic [[straight-6]] [[Jaguar XK6 engine|XK]] engine design (uprated to 3.8 litres) with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different. Perhaps its most ground-breaking innovation was the introduction of a [[monocoque]] [[chassis]], which not only introduced aircraft-style engineering to competition car design, but also an aeronautical understanding of aerodynamic efficiency. The D-type was introduced purely for competition, but after [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] withdrew from racing the company offered the remaining, unfinished chassis as the roadgoing '''[[Jaguar XKSS]]''', by making changes to the racers: adding an extra seat, another door, a full-width windshield and primitive folding top, as concessions to practicality. However, on the evening of 12 February 1957, a fire broke out at the Browns Lane plant destroying nine of the twenty five cars that had already been completed or in semi-completion. Production is thought to have included 53 customer D-types, 18 factory team cars, and 16 XKSS versions.

==Design==
The new chassis followed aircraft engineering practice, being manufactured according to [[monocoque]] principals. The central ''tub'', within which the driver sat, was formed from sheets of aluminium alloy. To this was attached an aluminium tubing subframe carrying the bonnet, engine, front suspension, and steering assembly. The rear suspension and final drive were mounted directly onto the monocoque itself. Fuel was carried in deformable ''bags'' inside cells within the monocoque; another aircraft innovation.

The highly efficient, aerodynamic bodywork was largely the work of [[Malcolm Sayer]], who joined Jaguar following a stint with the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War II. Although he also worked on the C-Type, the limitations of the conventional separate-chassis did not allow full expression of his talent. For the D-Type, Sayer insisted on a minimal frontal area. To reduce its height, Haynes and former-[[Bentley]] engineer [[Walter Hassan]] developed [[dry sump]] lubrication for the XK engine. By also canting the engine over by 8° (resulting in the trademark, off-centre bonnet bulge) the reduction in area was achieved. Care was taken to reduce drag due to the underbody, resulting in an unusually high top speed; for the long [[Circuit de la Sarthe|Mulsanne Straight]] at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], a large vertical stabiliser was mounted behind the driver's head. For the 1955 season, factory cars were fitted with a revised, ''long-nose'' version of the bodywork, which increased top speed even further.

Mechanically, many features were shared with the outgoing C-Type. The ground-breaking [[disc brakes]] were retained, as was the XK engine. Apart from the new lubrication system, as development progressed during the D-Type's competition life the engine was also revised. 1955 saw the introduction of larger [[Poppet valve|valves]], and an asymmetrical [[cylinder head]] design within which to accommodate them. The Jaguar D-type was the second racing car to have [[Dunlop]] [[disk brakes]]. The [[Citroën DS]], introduced a year later, was the first production car with disk brakes in Europe. The [[Powel Crosley|Crosley Hotshot]] was the first American automobile with disk brakes, in 1949.

Elements of the body shape were used in the iconic [[Jaguar E-type|E-type]] which, despite the name, was not technically a descendant of this car.

==Competition History==
The D-type was produced by a team who always had at least one eye on the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the most prestigious endurance race of the time. As soon as it was introduced to the racing world in 1954, the D-type was making its presence felt. For the [[1954 24 Hours of Le Mans]] the new car was expected to perform well, and perhaps even win. However, the cars were hampered by sand in their fuel. After the fault had been diagnosed and the sand removed, the car driven by [[Duncan Hamilton]] and [[Tony Rolt]] quickly got back on the pace, finishing less than one lap down on the winning [[Ferrari]].

The 1955 car incorporated the new long-nose bodywork, and the engine had been uprated with larger valves. The team again proved strong at [[1955 24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], and with no sand to worry about they were a good match for the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR]] cars who were hotly tipped to win. Sadly the contest was curtailed by [[1955 Le Mans disaster|one of the worst accidents ever to occur in motorsport]]: after only three hours of the twenty-four had elapsed, [[Pierre Levegh]]'s SLR clipped the tail of an [[Austin-Healey]], sending the German machine into the hay-bale barrier. The Mercedes erupted into a flaming ball and sent burning wreckage and debris into the crowd. More than 80 people, including Levegh, were killed, and many more injured. Merceded withdrew from the race almost immediately, although at the time [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] was leading in his SLR, but Jaguar opted to continue. Some blamed [[Mike Hawthorn]] for causing the crash as he swerved his D-type in front of the Healey, setting off a chain off the tragic chain of events. Hawthorn and his co-driver [[Ivor Bueb]] went on to win the race.

[[Image:Jaguar XKD 606 1956.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Jaguar D-type ''XKD606'', the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans]]-winning car, respelendant in its [[Ecurie Ecosse]] metallic Flag Blue livery.]]

With Merecedes deciding to withdraw from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season, the field was clear for Jaguar to clean up at the [[1956 24 Hours of Le Mans]] race. However, it proved to be a bad year for the works team; only one of their three cars made it to the finish, and then only in 6th place. Luckily for the D-type's reputation, the small [[Edinburgh]]-based team [[Ecurie Ecosse]] were also running a D-type, driven by [[Ron Flockhart]] and [[Ninian Sanderson]], and this car came through to win ahead of works teams from both [[Aston Martin]] and [[Scuderia Ferrari]]. Away from Le Mans, the Cunningham Team raced several Jaguar D-types after being offered the automobiles by Jaguar's head, [[William Lyons|Sir William Lyons]], if [[Briggs Cunningham]] would stop building his own automobiles. In May of 1956, the Cunningham team's entries in the Cumberland circuit in Maryland included three of those D-type Jaguars — characteristically painted in the pristine white-and-blue Cunningham Team colors — for drivers [[John Fitch (driver)|John Fitch]], [[John Gordon Benett]], and [[Sherwood Johnston]].

Ironically, after Jaguar had withdrawn from motorsport at the end of the 1956 season, 1957 proved to be the D-type's most successful year. In the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans|1957 Le Mans race]] D-types took five of the top six placings; Ecurie Ecosse (with a large degree of support from Jaguar, and a 3.8L engine) again took the win, and second place. This was the high-water mark in the car's career however. With ever decreasing factory support and increasingly competitive cars from rival manufacturers, the D-type's star waned. Although it continued to be one of the cars to beat in club- and national-level races it never again achieved a podium result at Le Mans, and by the early 1960s had disappeared into obsolescence.

==See Also==

{{Jaguar}}

==External links==
*[http://www.autoswalk.com/news/article/14/100.html History at AutosWalk.com]
*[http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1598 History at Ultimatecarpage.com]
*[http://www.mike-hawthorn.org.uk/d-type.php The Mike Hawthorn Tribute Site, the D-type]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/jaguar-d-type-sets-record-price-at-auction/ Jaguar D-Type sets record price at auction]

{{commonscat|Jaguar XKD}}

[[Category:Jaguar vehicles|D-type]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]

Jaguar D-Type

2008-10-26T21:46:40Z

96.245.75.75:

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:Jaguaddtype450.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Jaguar D-Type'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Jaguar]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{Write aka here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Sports Car
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Roadster
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| {{{Write Wheelbase here}}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| Four-Speed Manual
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| Jaguar C-type, Jaguar E-type
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Designer
| [[Malcolm Sayer]]
|}
The '''Jaguar D-type''', like its predecessor the [[Jaguar C-Type|C-Type]], was a factory-built [[race car]]. Although it shared the basic [[straight-6]] [[Jaguar XK6 engine|XK]] engine design (uprated to 3.8 litres) with the C-Type, the majority of the car was radically different. Perhaps its most ground-breaking innovation was the introduction of a [[monocoque]] [[chassis]], which not only introduced aircraft-style engineering to competition car design, but also an aeronautical understanding of aerodynamic efficiency. The D-type was introduced purely for competition, but after [[Jaguar Cars|Jaguar]] withdrew from racing the company offered the remaining, unfinished chassis as the roadgoing '''[[Jaguar XKSS]]''', by making changes to the racers: adding an extra seat, another door, a full-width windshield and primitive folding top, as concessions to practicality. However, on the evening of 12 February 1957, a fire broke out at the Browns Lane plant destroying nine of the twenty five cars that had already been completed or in semi-completion. Production is thought to have included 53 customer D-types, 18 factory team cars, and 16 XKSS versions.

==Design==
The new chassis followed aircraft engineering practice, being manufactured according to [[monocoque]] principals. The central ''tub'', within which the driver sat, was formed from sheets of aluminium alloy. To this was attached an aluminium tubing subframe carrying the bonnet, engine, front suspension, and steering assembly. The rear suspension and final drive were mounted directly onto the monocoque itself. Fuel was carried in deformable ''bags'' inside cells within the monocoque; another aircraft innovation.

The highly efficient, aerodynamic bodywork was largely the work of [[Malcolm Sayer]], who joined Jaguar following a stint with the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War II. Although he also worked on the C-Type, the limitations of the conventional separate-chassis did not allow full expression of his talent. For the D-Type, Sayer insisted on a minimal frontal area. To reduce its height, Haynes and former-[[Bentley]] engineer [[Walter Hassan]] developed [[dry sump]] lubrication for the XK engine. By also canting the engine over by 8° (resulting in the trademark, off-centre bonnet bulge) the reduction in area was achieved. Care was taken to reduce drag due to the underbody, resulting in an unusually high top speed; for the long [[Circuit de la Sarthe|Mulsanne Straight]] at [[24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], a large vertical stabiliser was mounted behind the driver's head. For the 1955 season, factory cars were fitted with a revised, ''long-nose'' version of the bodywork, which increased top speed even further.

Mechanically, many features were shared with the outgoing C-Type. The ground-breaking [[disc brakes]] were retained, as was the XK engine. Apart from the new lubrication system, as development progressed during the D-Type's competition life the engine was also revised. 1955 saw the introduction of larger [[Poppet valve|valves]], and an asymmetrical [[cylinder head]] design within which to accommodate them. The Jaguar D-type was the second racing car to have [[Dunlop]] [[disk brakes]]. The [[Citroën DS]], introduced a year later, was the first production car with disk brakes in Europe. The [[Powel Crosley|Crosley Hotshot]] was the first American automobile with disk brakes, in 1949.

Elements of the body shape were used in the iconic [[Jaguar E-type|E-type]] which, despite the name, was not technically a descendant of this car.

==Competition History==
The D-type was produced by a team who always had at least one eye on the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], the most prestigious endurance race of the time. As soon as it was introduced to the racing world in 1954, the D-type was making its presence felt. For the [[1954 24 Hours of Le Mans]] the new car was expected to perform well, and perhaps even win. However, the cars were hampered by sand in their fuel. After the fault had been diagnosed and the sand removed, the car driven by [[Duncan Hamilton]] and [[Tony Rolt]] quickly got back on the pace, finishing less than one lap down on the winning [[Ferrari]].

The 1955 car incorporated the new long-nose bodywork, and the engine had been uprated with larger valves. The team again proved strong at [[1955 24 Hours of Le Mans|Le Mans]], and with no sand to worry about they were a good match for the [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR]] cars who were hotly tipped to win. Sadly the contest was curtailed by [[1955 Le Mans disaster|one of the worst accidents ever to occur in motorsport]]: after only three hours of the twenty-four had elapsed, [[Pierre Levegh]]'s SLR clipped the tail of an [[Austin-Healey]], sending the German machine into the hay-bale barrier. The Mercedes erupted into a flaming ball and sent burning wreckage and debris into the crowd. More than 80 people, including Levegh, were killed, and many more injured. Merceded withdrew from the race almost immediately, although at the time [[Juan Manuel Fangio]] was leading in his SLR, but Jaguar opted to continue. Some blamed [[Mike Hawthorn]] for causing the crash as he swerved his D-type in front of the Healey, setting off a chain off the tragic chain of events. Hawthorn and his co-driver [[Ivor Bueb]] went on to win the race.

[[Image:Jaguar XKD 606 1956.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Jaguar D-type ''XKD606'', the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans]]-winning car, respelendant in its [[Ecurie Ecosse]] metallic Flag Blue livery.]]

With Merecedes deciding to withdraw from motorsport at the end of the 1955 season, the field was clear for Jaguar to clean up at the [[1956 24 Hours of Le Mans]] race. However, it proved to be a bad year for the works team; only one of their three cars made it to the finish, and then only in 6th place. Luckily for the D-type's reputation, the small [[Edinburgh]]-based team [[Ecurie Ecosse]] were also running a D-type, driven by [[Ron Flockhart]] and [[Ninian Sanderson]], and this car came through to win ahead of works teams from both [[Aston Martin]] and [[Scuderia Ferrari]]. Away from Le Mans, the Cunningham Team raced several Jaguar D-types after being offered the automobiles by Jaguar's head, [[William Lyons|Sir William Lyons]], if [[Briggs Cunningham]] would stop building his own automobiles. In May of 1956, the Cunningham team's entries in the Cumberland circuit in Maryland included three of those D-type Jaguars — characteristically painted in the pristine white-and-blue Cunningham Team colors — for drivers [[John Fitch (driver)|John Fitch]], [[John Gordon Benett]], and [[Sherwood Johnston]].

Ironically, after Jaguar had withdrawn from motorsport at the end of the 1956 season, 1957 proved to be the D-type's most successful year. In the [[1957 24 Hours of Le Mans|1957 Le Mans race]] D-types took five of the top six placings; Ecurie Ecosse (with a large degree of support from Jaguar, and a 3.8L engine) again took the win, and second place. This was the high-water mark in the car's career however. With ever decreasing factory support and increasingly competitive cars from rival manufacturers, the D-type's star waned. Although it continued to be one of the cars to beat in club- and national-level races it never again achieved a podium result at Le Mans, and by the early 1960s had disappeared into obsolescence.

==See Also==

{{Jaguar}}

==External links==
*[http://www.autoswalk.com/news/article/14/100.html History at AutosWalk.com]
*[http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1598 History at Ultimatecarpage.com]
*[http://www.mike-hawthorn.org.uk/d-type.php The Mike Hawthorn Tribute Site, the D-type]
*[http://www.motorauthority.com/news/news/jaguar-d-type-sets-record-price-at-auction/ Jaguar D-Type sets record price at auction]

{{commonscat|Jaguar XKD}}

[[Category:Jaguar vehicles|D-type]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]

Vector M12

2008-10-01T21:54:51Z

96.245.75.75:

Vector M12

2008-10-01T21:53:44Z

96.245.75.75:

Vector M12

2008-10-01T21:51:58Z

96.245.75.75:

Vector M12

2008-10-01T21:51:27Z

96.245.75.75:

Citicar

2008-10-01T21:43:59Z

96.245.75.75:

== History ==
The Citicar, a small electric vehicle whose design was later purchased by [[Commuter Vehicles, Inc.]] and renamed the Commuta Car, was first produced in Florida in 1974 by a company called Sebring Vanguard because of the mid-1970's fuel crisis. The Citicar was a tiny golf cart sized car that could go at a top speed of about 39MPH, had no extra features such as locking doors or air conditioning. Production continued until 1983, and at 2,500 produced, it still holds the record for most road-legal electric cars made in automobile history.

== Models ==
The Citicar came in 3 models. Coupe, the smallest of the three, had a diagonal front, a roof parallel to the road, and a back with a 90 degree angle to the road. The second smallest model, hatchback was the same as the coupe, except it had a slightly larger wheelbase and a back that sloped. This gave the two passengers a little more room while riding in the car. The largest of the three, was called the Citivan, or Commuta Van, which still held two passengers, but also had room for storage. It was the only model with a trunk. All of the vehicles can run for up to 40 miles per charge.

== External links ==
* [http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/citicar.html EV Album - Citicar] Photos
* http://john.redmood.com/citicar.html
* http://www.didik.com/citicar.htm
* http://www.m-cad.com/dp/ev/c-carupg.htm
* http://www.econogics.com/ev/citicar.htm
* http://www.bjharding.com/citicar/moreev.htm
* http://sloan.stanford.edu/EVonline/letton.htm
* http://www.exteriorangle.com/ross/citicar.html

[[Category:Production electric vehicles]]
[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States]]

Citicar

2008-10-01T21:43:09Z

96.245.75.75:

{{Infobox Automobile
| image = [[Image:Citicar.jpg|Citicar|250px]]
| name = CitiCar
| manufacturer = [[Sebring Vanguard]]
| production = 1974 -1983
| predecessor =
| successor =
| class = [[Electric_vehicle#Productions|Battery Electric]]
| platform =
| layout =
| body_style = 2-door 2-seat
| engine = Series Wound GE 3HP<br>Battery type:8 X 6 volt lead acid
| transmission =
| wheelbase =
| length = 2972 mm (117 in)
| width = 1397 mm (55 in)
| height = 1524 mm (60 in)
| weight = 670 kg (1475lb)
| aka =
| fuel_economy =
| fuel_capacity =
| related =
| similar =
| designer =
}}
[[Image:Citivan.jpg|thumb|right|Citivan|250px]]

The '''Citicar''' was produced between 1974 and 1983 by a U.S. company called [[Sebring Vanguard]], based in Florida. It is the most produced electric car in American automobile history.

== History ==
The Citicar, a small electric vehicle whose design was later purchased by [[Commuter Vehicles, Inc.]] and renamed the Commuta Car, was first produced in Florida in 1974 by a company called Sebring Vanguard because of the mid-1970's fuel crisis. The Citicar was a tiny golf cart sized car that could go at a top speed of about 39MPH, had no extra features such as locking doors or air conditioning. Production continued until 1983, and at 2,500 produced, it still holds the record for most road-legal electric cars made in automobile history.

== Models ==
The Citicar came in 3 models. Coupe, the smallest of the three, had a diagonal front, a roof parallel to the road, and a back with a 90 degree angle to the road. The second smallest model, hatchback was the same as the coupe, except it had a slightly larger wheelbase and a back that sloped. This gave the two passengers a little more room while riding in the car. The largest of the three, was called the Citivan, or Commuta Van, which still held two passengers, but also had room for storage. It was the only model with a trunk. All of the vehicles can run for up to 40 miles per charge.

== External links ==
* [http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/citicar.html EV Album - Citicar] Photos
* http://john.redmood.com/citicar.html
* http://www.didik.com/citicar.htm
* http://www.m-cad.com/dp/ev/c-carupg.htm
* http://www.econogics.com/ev/citicar.htm
* http://www.bjharding.com/citicar/moreev.htm
* http://sloan.stanford.edu/EVonline/letton.htm
* http://www.exteriorangle.com/ross/citicar.html

[[Category:Production electric vehicles]]
[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States]]