1954 JAGUAR D-TYPE WORKS TEAM CAR ‘OKV 2’

This famous and therefore of great importance, Jaguar D-Type, registered OKV 2, is the second of the three Works Team Cars that were sent by the factory to contest the 1954 Le Mans 24 Heures Du Mans. Designated as the lead Jaguar, with racing number 12, it was driven by Stirling Moss and Peter Walker.

In practice they set a new record speed at an astonishing 172.97mph down the 2.5 miles long Mulsanne Straight. Subsequently leading the race, they were forced to retire after midnight with brake difficulties.

The next outing for OKV 2 was at the Reims Twelve Hour sportscar race two months later, but Moss and Walker were a dnf. This was followed by the Tourist Trophy meeting at Dundrod in September, OKV 2 now driven by Peter Whitehead and Ken Wharton who finished 5th.

Thereafter Jaguar returned OKV 2 back to Coventry and it became a test car for Norman Dewis during the winter months.

The following year saw Tony Rolt driving at the May Silverstone Daily Express meeting where he came home First in Class and Third overall. Then prior to the ‘55 Le Mans, the D was taken to Silverstone by Jaguar Team Manager Lofty England for his prospective Jaguar team drivers to experience, thus driven by Mike Hawthorn, Ninian Sanderson, Jimmy Stewart, Desmond Titterington and Don Beauman although the car itself was not taken to La Sarthe this time.

Subsequently sold to Jack Broadhead for Bob Berry to race, and which he did at the May Goodwood Whitsun meeting, finishing behind Duncan Hamilton driving D-Type OKV 1 in both races. Thereafter campaigned extensively by Bob Berry through the 1955 and 1956 seasons, returning to the factory after accident damage and rebuilt by the Works Department in the Summer of 1956.

A successful racing career ensued throughout 1957 and 1958 and then the D was sold to the US in 1960, thence to Canada, and then stored before being returned to the UK for a rebuild by marque experts Lynx Engineering.

This is one of the most famous Jaguar Works Racing Cars to exist and with an extensive and fully documented history throughout its life.

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