• Superb ’tool room copy’ of a 1953 Production C-Type
• Commissioned by the ‘father of ground force’ F1 legend Peter Wright
• Stunning colour combination of Prussian Blue over tan leather
• FIA HTP papers (2020)
• Beautifully detailed throughout using original cellulose paint and distressed hides
• Competitive race car which is also road-friendly
• A candidate for historic events like the Stirling Moss Trophy

We are very proud to have been asked by the family of the late Peter Wright, ’the aerodynamics genius’ to sell his beloved C-Type.

Known as ’the father of downforce’ Peter Wright made a huge contribution to motor racing in general, and to F1 in particular. His move from BRM to Lotus marked a turning point in his career when, allied by engineer Tony Rudd, the two were able to explore a aeronautical principles of lift and ‘preversely’ prevent it, to keep a race car anchored to the ground. As fellow designer Peter Stevens said of Wright, in Magneto magazine: ‘He quickly realised that the underside of the car gave huge downforce if the car’s side pods were sealed to the ground by sliding side skirts. From this breakthrough came his idea that if you could stabilise a race car, so that it didn’t get deflected by bumps, the ground effect would work even better. From this came active suspension.’

The result of this work, with Ralph Bellamy, secured Mario Andretti the 1978 Formula 1 World Championship driving a Lotus 79.

Peter Wright (wearing the headset) seen here with Lotus boss Colin Chapman

But Wright’s innovations to help F1 cars to go faster were also put to good effect to help them to become safer, particularly after the tragic death of Ayrton Senna, and he devoted a great deal of his time and expertise to protecting the drivers, with better cockpit materials, helmet and safety barrier design. Much of Peter Wright’s work is still seen in Formula 1 today.

‘The Formula 1 achievements will naturally take centre stage”, said Stephen Ratel, CEO SRO Motorsports, ‘but his legacy as the father of Balance of Performance, along with Max Mosley, has likely had a much wider impact on motor racing globally. Without it there would be no GT3, GT4, Hypercars or TCR. The sport owes him a debt of gratitude.’

A keen pilot, who flew a vintage Tiger Moth, Peter Wright also raced in historic events, competing in a Bugatti Type 51 and a chain-driven GN cycle car, and one of his favourite cars was the Jaguar C-Type, designed by that other famous aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer.

For the build Wright commissioned marque specialists David Brown of Classic Car Developments of New Zealand, and Jerry Booen of D-Type Developments, the partnership behind the
D-Type and XKSS that were used by Jaguar as reference for their ‘Continuation’ cars. The brief was to build a ’tool room copy’ of the Sayer original, and to use Cellulose paint and distressed hides to accelerate the patination for a period look and authenticity.

Under the bonnet is a period-correct 3.4 litre engine with original and rare C 4820 cylinder block; HD8 SU carburettors and a C Type sump. Not only was it built to be correct, it was also designed to be a competitiv race engine. The original Moss gearbox has been fitted with a close ratio gear-set and a C Type top cover as per the original. To comply with FIA regulations the fuel tank is a period-correct long-range foam-filled alloy tank. The car is fitted with drum brakes and racing clutch.
FIA HTP papers were granted in 2020 and as a result the car is eligible to race in the Woodcote or Stirling Moss trophy and other international events.

Offering a unique opportunity this C-Type is exactly as Peter Wright last enjoyed it: a driver’s car, ageing gracefully, with a provenance of a legendary name in modern motorsport.

£POA