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1955 Jaguar D-Type that won Le Mans sets $21.78 million record price at auction

There's simply no denying that the Jaguar D-Type is one of the most noteworthy race cars ever devised. Jaguar pioneered the use of the monocoque chassis design, and D-Types won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956, and 1957. And with its bodywork pulled taught over the wheels, engine, and passenger compartment, not to mention the massive fin behind the driver's headrest, the D-Type also one of the most stunning. The car you see above, Jaguar D-Type chassis number XKD 501, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1956, narrowly defeating a team from Aston Martin. Along the way, this D-Type completed 2,507.19 miles at an average speed of 104.47 miles per hour, and a maximum speed of 156.868 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. It was entered by the non-factory team Ecurie Ecosse, and therefore painted in the team's traditional Scottish blue with a white cross. That kind of provenance, coupled with its pristine original race-winning condition, makes XKD 501 extremely valuable. In fact, it just sold at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction for $21.78 million (a $19.8 million bid plus auction fees), making it the most expensive British automobile ever sold at auction. Take a gander at our high-res image gallery above to soak up all its low-slung goodness. Related Video:

The Jaguar XJR-15 is a 215 mph, barely-legal road car that's for sale

The late 1980s and early 1990s were awash with supercars from automakers across the globe. Classic Driver in the UK is selling one of the rarest of all of these supercars, the road-going racecar that is the Jaguar XJR-15. The XJR-15 is the lesser known sibling of the Jaguar XJ220. Only 27 were ever built. The XJ220 may not have received the same recognition and reverence as the Ferrari F40, the Porsche 959, and the McLaren F1, but for a time it held the record for the fastest road-going automobile, 217.1 mph. All of the XJ220's engineering and prowess is owed to the development of the XJR-15, which in turn owes everything to driver Tom Walkinshaw and his experience in touring and Le Mans racecars. Unlike the twin-turbocharged XJ220, the XJR-15 features a big, naturally-aspirated V12 that turned out 450 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine has a dry sump oil system, a Cosworth forged crankshaft, connecting rods, aluminum pistons, and fuel delivery from a Zytec electronically controlled sequential fuel injection system. The engine is mated to a five-speed transaxle from Tom Walkinshaw Racing, while the suspension - fabricated wishbones and horizontal pushrod-spring dampers at the front and coil springs at the rear - is pulled straight from the XJR-9 racecar. At the time, the car was capable of hitting 60 mph in under four seconds and topped out at 215 mph, just shy of the mark later set by the Jaguar XJ220. The XJR-15 was also the first road car to make extensive use of carbon fiber. In fact, at 2,315 lbs, the car's listed weight is less than that of a new ND Mazda Miata. The body was designed by future McLaren F1 engineer Peter Stevens. While the McLaren and Porsche were more complete and well rounded machines, the XJR-15 was a bare bones, uncompromised track machine. The interior was barely more than a carbon tub fitted with a pair of one-piece seats. The car in this listing is chassis number 21 and only has 1,400 miles on the odometer. Some minor modifications to the hinges allow the hood and engine cover to be quickly and easily opened. The car is listed for GBP450,000, or about $560,000. Not cheap, but what rare, early 1990s supercar is? Related Video: News Source: Classic Driver via Car Buzz Jaguar Coupe Performance ferrari f40 jaguar xj220

Watches and whisky: two more ways to celebrate the Jaguar E-type's 60th birthday

It was 60th years ago on March 15 that Jaguar famously unveiled its E-type sports car at the Geneva auto show, after having driven a coupe and a convertible down from England overnight. And while the British automaker is commemorating the milestone with six specially restored vintage E-type coupe-and-convertible pairs, that leaves many fans shut out. For those seeking a less-spendy way to honor the occasion, there are two new options: a commemorative watch and rally timer boxed set, and a special whisky. British watchmaker Bremont has created a special watch to mark the occasion. The automatic chronograph features a black face with either a green or a gray bi-directional rotating bezel and matching leather strap. The colors reference the green roadster and gray coupe that debuted at the show. On the back, the movement is visible through a sapphire glass window, there's a rendition of the E-type's three-spoke steering wheel, and each watch is numbered. The textured crown features the tread pattern of the E-type's Dunlop racing tires. Each watch comes as a boxed set with a two-instrument rally timer with a stopwatch and a clock. The instruments are mounted on an engine-turned metal plate and can be displayed in a wood case or fitted into a vehicle. The price for the watch-and-rally-timer duo is $16,495, and 60 in each watch color will be made. As an added enticement, buyers can attend a Jaguar Classic experience in the U.K. wherein they get a chance to drive three vintage Jaguars. If 16 large is still a little rich for your budget, Bremont makes several other Jaguar-inspired timepieces: the $4,895 MkIII, the $6,695 MkII, the $6,895 D-type, and the $8,995 MkI. Or maybe you'd prefer to toast the E-type's birthday with some brown liquor. Might we suggest the Glenturret E-type 60th Anniversary Single Malt Whisky? It hails from Scotland's oldest distillery and comes with a presentation box and a key ring. No driving experience, alas. The whiskey is limited to 265 bottles, the number corresponding to the 265 horsepower in the original E-type. The whiskey is available direct from Glenturret at 1,500 GBP (about $2,100) plus shipping. Auto News Jaguar