From Jaguar Sports Racing Cars by Philip Porter

Works 1955 longnose car; raced at that year's Le Mans (Hawthorn/Bueb, # 6), 1st place finish. Prepared for British GP meeting, Aintree, where Hawthorn was to drive this car but withdrawn during practice and XKD506 substituted.

Overhauled at Works and fitted with DeDion rear suspension. Withdrawn during practice at the TT/Dunrod. Used by works for testing, fitted with engine number E3003-9 with petrol injection. Prepared for 1956 Easter Goodwood meeting but not raced. Fitted with rear axle oil sump with 6 pints capacity.

In April, tested extensively by Hawthorn and Fairman, the latter crashing the car at Silverstone. September 14th, tested by Hawthorn and Bueb at Silverstone with independent rear suspension.

On November 11, 1956 Norman Dewis tested IRS; he did so again on June 26, 1957. From his log: "this car has 3 degrees negative camber. The understeer is just as bad as with a normal axle. The diff unit now has a sump holding 1 gallon of oil, spprox. with an electric pump for circulating. Highest temp was 120 degrees C. Cooling duct fitted from the passenger lid to the rear disc brakes."

Car continued to be used for testing until June 1958. History is then vague; it has been stated that parts of this car were used in the rebuild of XKD 601 and that there is no record of XKD 505 having been sold--however, the list of experimental cars states "XKD 505 BRG, sold".

In the early 1980's the frame stamped XKD 505 was removed from XKD 504 during 504's rebuild by Lynx and sold to the late Bill Lake, who had an authentic car built up around this frame with a real monocoque. Sold to David Lomas (UK).

Philip Porter is the author of numerous books on the Jaguar marque. In additional to writing books and magazine articles and managing several businesses, he runs the XK Club and E-Type club from Worcestershire, England. His latest books include the Jaguar Scrapbook and the Stirling Moss 1929 - 1954 Scrapbook.

© Porter & Porter