The Mille Miglia isn’t run anymore as a contemporary competitive race but is still celebrated every year with a retrospective historic rally along its original route through the Italian countryside. While the Italian exotics like Ferraris, Alfa Romeos and Maseratis typically make up a large portion of the field, this year Jaguar will be out in full force with a factory-backed contingent.
The Jaguar Heritage Trust is bringing out a full fleet of some of its most iconic classics, including a long-nose D-Type, the C-Type which raced the 1953 Mille Miglia, plus three more vintage C-Types and a Mark VII saloon. Jaguar will also be sending a fleet of new XKRs and XFRs to look good and to support the event. A special treat for classic Jag racing lovers will be seeing Norman Dewis, the legendary Jaguar factory test driver who co-drove with Sterling Moss at the event in 1952. Altogether an impressive array of classic Jaguar workhorses are being prepared to celebrate the marque’s heritage. Check out the full details of the Jaguar Works Team below.
The 2009 “Works Team:”
Jaguar Heritage 1956 Jaguar D-type ‘Long Nose’. Registration mark: 393 RW
This was the penultimate D-type, built in March 1956 and originally fitted with the latest specification fuel injection engine. It was allocated to the Jaguar works racing team, and was entered for the Reims 12-hour race, which it won, driven by Duncan Hamilton and Ivor Bueb.
The 1953 Jaguar Heritage C-type. Registration mark: NDU 289
The car appearing at this year’s Mille Miglia is one of the later production cars, and unlike the 1953 works cars these were normally fitted with SU carburettors and drum brakes. It was bought by the Italian driver Tadini who entered it in the 1953 Mille Miglia, but had to retire.
1952 Jaguar C-type. Registration Mark: MDU 214
This was the first privately owned C-type Jaguar, bought by Duncan Hamilton. The car was raced in period until 1965, and since then in historic events by drivers such as Stirling Moss and Johnny Herbert.
1953 Jaguar C-type. Registration Mark MVC 630
This car was used by the Ecurie Ecosse team and owned by Sir John Scott Douglas. It was raced in the UK, at Reims, and at Spa in the 24 hour race where it was placed second. In the 1980s and 1990s it competed in the USA.
1953 Jaguar C-type. Registration Mark RAU 450
This car is a production C-type and was raced in period by the late Archie Scott Brown
1954 Jaguar Mark VII. Registration Mark 97 DMH
This car is a very original example of the MK VII, a type of Jaguar saloon which also competed in the original Mille Miglia.
