The D-type is on display in Duns. TKF9’s place is secure. Autocar featured XKD517 E2026-9 in its original pastel green at Oulton Park. Champion recalled it in white when the “pirates de la frontière” bought it for Jim Clark. Michael Cooper photographed me at the wheel on the memorable test day.
Read MoreCold Night in a D-type
Champion magazine on 22 year-old Jim Clark’s chilling experience. Border Reivers didn’t have a trailer, so loaded its D-type on to Clark’s farm lorry. It was a frosty April 1958 so the radiator had been drained, and half-way to Berwick-on-Tweed its engine seized. Jim Clark drove on through the snow.
Read MoreFOUR GREAT JAGUARS: Autocar 20 June 1968
Half a century ago this week. Autocar. The year Jim Clark died. Track testing at Oulton Park. Here it is again unabridged. Blog Eric Dymock,.
Read MoreForce majeure: Cold night in a D-type
Jim Clark’s first race with the Jaguar TKF9 was on an airfield circuit at Full Sutton in Yorkshire earning him an early place in the record books. He was the first sports car driver to lap a British circuit at over 100mph. The contrast with bumpy Charterhall was profound. Full Sutton had a long 3.2 mile lap and was in perfect condition. The American Air Force had just spent a quarter of a million pounds - a lot of money in 1958 - resurfacing it.
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