Jaguar XJ13 Race Car '66 [P] - Historic Automobile
The car that never came to be...
Route X Speed Testing Results
0-60 mph: 3.327 seconds
0-100 mph: 6.238 seconds
0-1/4 mile: 10.875 seconds
0-1 mile: 26.401 seconds
Top speed: 209 mph
Max G-force: 0.95 G
I have to say: This car has a sad history. It was built as a successor of the Jaguar C-Type, and as a way to take on Ford and Ferrari in Le Mans. Unfortunately Jaguar's own laziness faulted the project's designated finish. By 1967 regulations changed to 3L engines, locking out the XJ13. Therefore it never entered in a single race.
The project was named "XJ6", engineered by Claude Bailey. As to most 60s race cars presents, its power-plant was a V12, mid-longitudinally mounted. The layout was certainly new to Jaguar. The unit's design is two DOHC 6 cylinder engines connected to a common crankshaft and aluminum block. The injection was a Lucas Mechanical, which generated roughly 500 bhp.
The man who sculpted this beauty and as well as the C- and D-Types was Malcom Sayer. Its sleek and smooth finish was enough to bargain the entire crowd.
Testing began on the MIRA Test Track, and driving it was Norman Dewis. He managed to push the car to 161 mph and implemented a new lap record. Afterwards it was extensively tested 9 times, from March to August 1967. And from these tests the car was constantly revised. The last test was ran by David Hobbs & Ricard Atwood on Silverstone.
The XJ13 also served as a basis of production V12s. So the car was laid untouched until the engine was launched on the Series 3 E-Type. This action implies that the XJ13 was the first V12 Jaguar has ever produced.
The XJ13 finally got global recognition on 1971, and was up for promotional filming in MIRA test track. Tragically, when Norman was driving at 141 mph, the car lost a wheel and spun into the outside, flipping end over end. Fortunately Norman survived, but the car was perhaps unlucky. Two years later the car was restored unlike many race cars at its time, which were scrapped.
In 1973 the car was ultimately rebuilt, and was presented in the British Grand Prix in the same year. The original body works was done by Abbey Panels. Jaguar soon decided to keep the model in their Heritage Collections. The XJ13 was also featured in major programs like BBC.
In 2002 the XJ13 fell off a kerb and cracked the engine block and sump. Immediately the car was rebuilt again, which XK Engineering gladly completed the operation. When the restoration was finished it debuted again in the 2007 Goodwood Festival. At that time, the engine was heard for the first time in over 30 years.
Correct me if I'm wrong but did Kaz drove this car in that same Goodwood Festival year? Anyways...
The XJ13 now resides is in Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Collection at Coventry, but relocation postponed viewings until September 2012.
The XJ13 itself is very elegant and very studious. It possesses an extremely unique form, and is taken as one of the most beautiful automobiles in the world. From the nose to the tip of the rear, it satisfies any sets of eyes. It doesn't look aggressive, nor lacking. If this car was a cake, I would eat it, cough it up, and eat it again
The interior also plays a similar tune. From the TV's standpoint, it looks really roomy. The enormous steering wheel is made of wood, I'm guessing. And at the middle, Jaguar's old logo. The dashboard is placed at the left of the driver, which contains dials like the tachometer. There is also golden plaques that signify Abbey Panels' work of restoring the vehicle. When viewing backwards, you'll see the great engine bay. The engine itself is quite detailed, from the spark plugs to the pistons. You'll still see the rear of the car as well.
The XJ13's pure strength is very well demonstrated. The car was able to push into speeds common in its time, like +200 mph. But this was obvious with a V12 engine. The gearbox links with the car's sheer power also, so it doesn't feel out-of-place.
How the XJ13 corners is sparkling. When you approach a turn that is sharp, it looks like the car is struggling; it isn't. The only times when build-up occurs is on Esses, where the car will power understeer. The surprising thing is its torque figure: ~400 ft-lb @ 6500 RPM. Not bad for a V12. But don't let that imply that the car will smooth out of everything. Other than that, it gets the job done.
The Jag's weight transfer is complex, honestly. It is set at 45/55. Considering that the car is an MR & weighs a tiny 900kg, it's safe to say that most weight will go to the mid-rear portions. But when braking, a lot of load travels to the front. And when turning, roughly all of the load is transferred to the outside. This actually reduces the work that all 4 tires need to feed its way out the corner. But when you turn and accelerate, the load will go to the outside rear wheel, no? But in this car, a lot is transferred to the outside rear. Even in these states, the car always managed to divide its loads. The 10% benefit up-front will provide adhesion for steering, and the 10% negate down-back will provide a bit of facilitation. All odds is harmonized, actually. The car does roll quite a bit, and may cause oversteer at times.
The XJ13's acceleration is fierce! But its liftoffs can be unstable sometimes, as the car lacks advanced machinery that can deduct unnecessary wheelspin. This is apparent when you negotiate slow sectors, however nothing than a careful finger/hands & feet can't handle!
With that aside, there is also its top speed & how it actually gets there. And what I can say? It is indeed effective! The gear ratios is locked together, and produces a linear effect. This means that time & RPM is capable to connect. As a result, it can reach speeds that is ridiculed in its time: Beyond the 200 mph. Taking a lap through Mulsanne Straight will surely confirm it. But the car seems to be tuned for only Le Mans, so slow-plauged tracks like Monaco will be an oversight if driven the way it is.
This Jaggie brakes exceptionally quick. But it doesn't serve as a sure recovery item if you overshoot a turn. It uses Dunlop discs as its braking artillery, AKA simple disc brakes. On the other hand, it does rocket down to accepting corner speeds. Also, when you turn and brake it contracts a lot of understeer, so trail braking will take a while to inherently master.
Concluding, the XJ13's handling ability is a unique combo. It power understeers through sharp portions, it pushes out of a turn a bit too much, it rolls occasionally, it accelerates efficaciously. Surely, the car demands several things from the driver. One is patience. A typical race car is simplified enough to reach any obstacle, but the XJ13 requests by the hands of an "able-body." Another is stamina. Even though the car has never entered in a race, the XJ13 still proves as a endurance weapon. Whether or not you do take the car into a 24hr event, it will demand the driver's part to be concise. In addition, the XJ13 clings to only one kind of driving style. This doesn't mean that only one person is able to drive it properly, but the Jag seems to follow only one rhythm to actually squeeze its potential.
The engine noise is... well... intriguing. It isn't a V12; more like a whine. But there is a racketing noise that boasts its audible strength. On the other hand, the shrieking does feel a bit ear-splitting. But the overall notes is very simplistic.
Personally, whenever I see or drive the car I think of a romantic Sunday drive. Whether it was built for pure racing or not, it is indulging to just cruise around. Doing activities like driving along a mountain trail, or a photo-shoot near the ocean. It can even be meditating; a way to clear the driver's thoughts and fall into a bed of soft & fluffy sheets. I'm sure many other vehicles out there does the same thing, but this car exemplifies a great deal of that feeling.
Images courtesy of Me & mikeonthebike
History courtesy of supercars.net
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). If there was, some portions will have been more exhilirating, like the touge Esses. Just 220 HP is not enough to uncage the Delta's cheetah magic powers.
