The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 is a classic sports car and one of the most iconic cars of its time. It was the first purpose-built mid-engined sports car from Jaguar, and it was designed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The car was powered by a 5.0-litre V12 engine that produced 530 horsepower and was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine and gearbox were mounted in a tubular frame that was suspended on wishbones and coil springs. The car was designed by Malcolm Sayer and had a top speed of over 200 mph. Despite its impressive performance figures, the car never raced and only one prototype was ever produced.
## History
The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 was designed by Malcolm Sayer in the mid-1960s as a potential Le Mans contender for the Jaguar racing team. The car was powered by a 5.0-litre V12 engine that produced 530 horsepower and was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The engine and gearbox were mounted in a tubular frame that was suspended on wishbones and coil springs. The car was capable of a top speed of over 200 mph.
Despite its impressive performance figures, the car never raced and only one prototype was ever produced. However, the car did make appearances at historic events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
## Design
The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 was designed by Malcolm Sayer and was influenced heavily by aerodynamic principles. The car featured a sleek and aerodynamic body that was designed to cut through the air with minimal drag. The car also featured a low slung chassis that was designed to be as light and as stiff as possible. The car was also fitted with a wide array of modern racing technology such as an adjustable front splitter, an adjustable rear wing, and an adjustable suspension.
The car was finished in a distinctive metallic green paint job that became a signature for the car. The interior of the car featured a two-seat cockpit with a simple dashboard and a four-spoke steering wheel.
## Legacy
The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 is a legendary car and is regarded as one of the most iconic cars of its time. It is often cited as one of the first mid-engined sports cars and is a testament to the engineering prowess of the Jaguar racing team. The car is highly sought after by collectors and has become a symbol of the golden age of racing.
Despite the fact that the car never raced, it has gained a cult following and has been featured in many movies and television shows. The car has also been the inspiration for many modern cars such as the Jaguar XJ220 and the Aston Martin One-77.
## Gallery of 1966 Jaguar XJ13
The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 is a classic sports car, powered by a 5.0-litre V12 engine that produced 530 horsepower.
The car was designed by Malcolm Sayer and had a top speed of over 200 mph.
The car featured a sleek and aerodynamic body, with a low slung chassis and adjustable front splitter, rear wing, and suspension.
The car was finished in a distinctive metallic green paint job that became a signature for the car.
The car has become a symbol of the golden age of racing and is highly sought after by collectors.
The car has also been the inspiration for many modern cars such as the Jaguar XJ220 and the Aston Martin One-77.
The car has featured in many movies and television shows, and has gained a cult following.
The 1966 Jaguar XJ13 is a classic sports car that continues to inspire and captivate car enthusiasts today.
The car is a testament to the engineering prowess of the Jaguar racing team and a reminder of the golden age of racing.