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The upcoming auctions at Pebble Beach are shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Which should come as no big surprise as legends are exactly what will be up for grabs. In addition to the highly anticipated launch of the new "Grand Bentley" amidst the field of lust-worthy machinery on display, auctioneers will be putting such notable classics on the block as Ettore Buggati's own Type 57C, the one-of-a-kind Miller V16 racing car, and this historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type.
The first C-Type Jaguar to be imported into the United States, model XKC-007 was sent straight to the race track where it was driven by no less a talent than the legendary Phil Hill. The World-Champion-to-be took this particular C-Type to three victories at Elkhart Lake, Torrey Pines and Watkins Glen, the former scoring as the first victory for the iconic C-Type in its storied history.
After being retired from active duty, XKC-007 passed through several collections before undergoing a full restoration in 1986, after which it won numerous awards on the vintage concours circuit – including a reunion date with Phil Hill to commemorate Jaguar's 50th anniversary in 2002. XKC-007 will be up for auction at RM's three-day Sports & Classics of Monterey event from August 13-15. Details in the press release after the jump and images in the gallery below.
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PRESS RELEASE
HISTORIC 1952 JAGUAR C-TYPE SPORTS RACER, DRIVEN TO VICTORY BY PHIL HILL, JOINS STARTING LINE-UP FOR RM'S MONTEREY SALE
Sports & Classics of Monterey
BLENHEIM, Ontario (June 10, 2009) – A historic 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car that was driven to victory in 1952 by the legendary Phil Hill to claim the Jaguar C-Type's first North American racing victory has joined the starting line-up for RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey event, to be held August 13th – 15th in Monterey, California.
The rare C-Type, designated XKC-007, was one of just 53 examples built and one of the first Jaguar C-Types delivered to the United States. Shipped to New York in 1952, this example was immediately driven to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where it, along with XKC-009, made their competitive racing debuts as part of the company's North American sales pitch for the model. It was at this meet that XKC-007 made Jaguar history when the eventual World Champion driver, Phil Hill – then just 25 – drove it to victory in The Sheldon Cup. Under the sponsorship of Charles Hornburg, the Western United States Jaguar distributor, and with Phil Hill back behind the wheel, XKC-007 went on to achieve further success at Torrey Pines that same year.
XKC-007 passed through the hands of numerous owners over the following years and was fully restored by noted Jaguar expert Terry Larson before making its way into the distinguished, private collection of Jerry and Kathy Nell in 1993 where it has remained ever since. Presented in period correct condition, it notably displays the signature of the great Phil Hill and retains its original, numbers matching engine.Throughout its racing career, XKC-007 was never crashed.
"RM Auctions is truly honored to represent this outstanding C-Type on behalf of its long term owner. XKC-007 is certainly the most historically significant Jaguar C-Types to ever come to auction during Monterey's famed classic car week and its well-known provenance, coupled with its historically significant racing history and victories, is set to attract the interest of discerning collectors around the world," said Ian Kelleher, President and Chief Operating Officer of RM Auctions.
"It is without question an amazing opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to have the chance of successfully bidding on and owning the best of the very best," he added.
In addition to its rich race history, XKC-007 has enjoyed success on the show field, awarded a national championship in 1994 by the Jaguar Club of North America. In 2002 it was reunited with Phil Hill at Pebble Beach to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the C-Type, as well as at another commemorative event in 2006 in Elkhart Lake when the famed Wisconsin road track was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rare 1952 Jaguar C-Type Sports Racing Car, chassis number XKC-007, will lead a magnificent line-up of investment-quality collector cars when RM Auctions highly anticipated Sports & Classics of Monterey auction event returns to the Portola Hotel and Spa, 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, California, August 13th to 15th. The auction preview will commence August 12th from 12noon – 6:00pm, followed by full-day previews on August 13th through 15th with auction action each evening. Admission to the three-day event is $40.00 USD per person. An official auction catalog is available for an additional $100 USD.
For further information and full event details, please visit www.rmauctions.com or call 800-211-4371 (within North America) or +1 519 352 4575.
About RM Auctions
Celebrating 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions and its associated companies are responsible for acquisitions, restorations and sales of the world's rarest and most valuable vintage automobiles, including record-breaking sales in Maranello, Italy and London, England. RM's restoration division achieved unprecedented accolades in 2006, when the Company earned "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three collector car events in a single year. www.rmauctions.com
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