Jaguar D Type (1955 Le Mans Winner)

Product Description

Jaguar D Type (1955 Le Mans Winner) in Dark Green (1:12 scale)
- Jaguar entered the 1955 L.M. 24-hour race with a version of the D-Type which has a bonnet seven inches longer than the standard model. Hence the name > Long nose D-Type>. The car had a cover above the passenger space, a fin behind the driver"s head & a higher windscreen. Under the bonnet the XK engine had a new wide-angle head & larger valves, which boosted the 3.4 litre 6-cylinder engine with three Weber carburettors to 265-270 bhp. The construction of the car combined a front chassis frame with an all-aluminium monocoque for the bodywork. Mated with a 4-speed gearbox, front & rear disc brake & 6.5 x 16 tyres, the car could reach a maximum speed of over 300 km/h & was able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds. The three factory teams competing in the race were Ferrari, Jaguar & Mercedes-Benz. The outcome was overshadowed by the worst accident in the history of motor sport. About two hours after the 24-hour L.M. race had begun, two cars collided on the race track. A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR was catapulted into the air & crashed amongst the crowd. The car disintegrated, killing the driver & seventy-seven spectators & injuring many others. The race was allowed to continue in order to prevent departing spectators from crowding onto the roads & obstructing the approaching ambulances. Mike Hawthorn & Ivor Bueb won the race in the Jaguar D-type, which had achieved a record average speed of 107 miles/hour (172.3 km/h). The remaining Mercedes cars were withdrawn from the race as a sign of respect to the accident victims. Features include: - Opening bonnet - Metal air-vents made by die-pressing - Front grille mash made from photo-etched plate - Functional bonnet clips in genuine leather with stainless steel buckle - Functional bonnet lock made from stainless steel - Metal brake discs - Workable gearshift - Genuine stainless steel steering wheel - Genuine leather seats & headrest - Stainless steel rivets on the window surround & body shell - Cover of fuel filler cap recess may be raised. Opening fuel filler cap - Perfectly fitting & detachable passenger seat cover - The engine"s complex oil cooling & fuel delivery system have been reproduced in great detailed - Opening boot with metal hinge fitted. Genuine wire for rear lamps - Functioning boot lock with metal spring fitted - Metal air purifier - Genuine wires for electrical fitting & meters on the dash - Fully-functioning suspension - Metal mudguard in wheel housings - Lockable doors - Functional foot pedals made from sprung - This model comprises over 450 metal & plastic parts including photo-etched plates & metal wires screws & nuts