Jaguar · 1966–present

Jaguar XJ13

The Jaguar XJ13 is a prototype racing car that was developed by Jaguar Engineering Director William Heynes to compete at Le Mans in the mid 1960s. It never raced, and only one was produced.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Jaguar D-Type · Successor: Jaguar E-Type

All Jaguar XJ13 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Development

Jaguar had considered the manufacture of a Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) V12 engine as far back as 1950, initially for racing purposes, and then developing a Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC) road-going version, unlike the XK, which was designed as a production engine and later pressed into service for racing. The engine design was essentially two XK 6-cylinder engines on a common crankshaft with an aluminium cylinder block, although there were differences in the inlet porting, valve angles and combustion chamber shape. The first engine ran in July 1964. The design structure of a mid-engined prototype was first mooted in 1960 by William Heynes, but it was not until 1965 that construction began, with the first car running by March 1966. The aluminium body exterior was designed by Malcolm Sayer, the aerodynamicist responsible for aerodynamic air flow work on the Jaguar C-type and D-type. He used his Bristol Aeroplane Company background to build it using techniques borrowed from the aircraft industry. The task of building the car was entrusted by Heynes to Engineer Derick White, Ted Brookes, Mike Kimberley, and Bob Blake in the Browns Lane experimental department's "competition shop"—Blake described by his contemporaries as "An Artist in Metal". William Heynes recognised as early as 1964 that a car such as the XJ13 needed an experienced race driver to help develop it. Jack Brabham was approached in this regard, but the challenge was eventually taken up by ex-Jaguar Apprentice David Hobbs, who was recruited as the XJ13's main test driver. In 1969, Hobbs was included in a FIA list of 27 drivers who were rated the best in the world. Hobbs achieved an unofficial UK closed lap record with the XJ13 which stood for 32 years. For the XJ13's final test at full racing speed, Hobbs was

MIRA crash

Source: In 1971 the Series 3 E-type was about to be launched with Jaguar's first production V12 engine. The publicity team wanted a shot of the XJ13 at speed for the opening sequence of the film launching the V12 E-Type. On 21 January 1971, the XJ13 was taken to MIRA for the filming with Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis at the wheel. The car was driven by Dewis at speed on a damaged tyre, against the instructions of Jaguar director England. The resultant crash heavily damaged and nearly destroyed the car, although Dewis was unharmed. The damaged car was put back into storage. Some years later, Edward Loades spotted the crashed XJ13 in storage at Jaguar and made the offer to 'Lofty' England that his company Abbey Panels should rebuild the car. The car was rebuilt, to a specification similar to the original, using some of the body jigs made for its original construction and at a cost of £1,000 to Jaguar. In Jaguar's own words, "The car that can be seen today is not an exact reproduction of the original." The XJ13 made its public debut in July 1973 when 'Lofty' drove it around Silverstone at the British Grand Prix meeting. It is now displayed at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, UK.

Replicas

The only known replicas of the original, pre MIRA crash, car powered by original prototype engine: Building the Legend Ltd. Source: Created following extensive research, including at the Jaguar Heritage Trust, under the guidance of surviving XJ13 Team members and making use of original data. Research was conducted by Neville Swales, owner of Building the Legend Ltd. Generally accepted as being authentic re-creations of the pre-crash 1966 Jaguar XJ13. Two of these Building The Legend replicas are notable for being powered by two of the five surviving original quad-cam prototype engines. Notable appearances: First original prototype-engined car - February 2016: London Classic Car show. followed by its first track appearance, in the company of surviving members of the original XJ13 project team, and members of William Heynes' and Malcolm Sayer's family, Jaguar VIPs and enthusiasts at Curborough Sprint Course near Lichfield. This same car was nominated as a finalist in the International Historic Motoring Awards 2016 in the category Car of the Year and was displayed outside the awards event at The Guildhall in London that same year. 22 January 2024: A SOHC-powered Building The Legend XJ13 was featured and reviewed on an episode of Jay Leno's Garage. 15 August 2025: The second Building The Legend original prototype-engined car was displayed at The Quail, California. Known replicas of the rebuilt, post MIRA crash, car: The True Spirit of XJ13, by JD Classics. The only car ever built from a physical scan of the 'factory' Jaguar XJ13. A very special one-off build - handmade by some of the finest craftsmen in the industry. A replica of the post-crash 1973-built factory car. The car was officially launched at Retromobile 2024. Proteus XJ13-inspired coupé Charles Motors Ltd repli

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Jaguar XJ13
Manufacturer: Jaguar Cars
Production: 1966 (1 produced)
Assembly: United Kingdom: Coventry
Class: Race car
Designer: Malcolm Sayer
Body style: 2-door Roadster
Engine: 5.0 L DOHC 60 Degree V12
Transmission: 5-speed ZF 5DS/25 manual
Layout: Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Wheelbase: 2410 mm
Length: 4810 mm
Width: 1800 mm
Height: 1000 mm
Kerb weight: 998 kg
Successor: Jaguar XJR-5
Predecessor: Jaguar D-Type
sp: uk

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1280758CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ13CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375849085 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1966JaguarXJ-13.jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Brian Snelson · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.