One of the world's most unique racing car collections is being offered for sale at the Bonhams auction in London: We are talking about the two-time Le Mans winning team, the Ecurie Ecosse, or "Scottish Team", which took overall victory in 1956 and 1957 in Jaguar D-Types. The cars were already famous back then for their blue metallic paintwork.
From the stable to the podium
Businessman David Murray, originally from Edinburgh (UK), founded Ecurie Ecosse together with mechanic Wilkie Wilkinson in November 1951. Their garage was a converted stable, money was not really available, yet these two Scotsmen managed to be at the start of international races time and again: from 1952 to 1954, they competed once each and tried to make a name for themselves in Formula 1, without success.
The two amateur racing drivers did not give up and switched from Formula 1 to sports car racing, dedicating themselves to building a Jaguar D-Type in 1955 and entering the toughest endurance race of the time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1956.
Most spectators did not know the team and the victory of the driversRon Flockhart and Ninian Sanderson was all the more surprising. In 1957, the team competed again with a D-Type and again won the overall victory! The run of luck or success then broke off, however, and the team tried to win again at Le Mans until 1960, unfortunately without success.
68 victories in 10 years
Looking at the history of Ecurie Ecosse as a whole, the team can rightly be described as successful. Ecurie Ecosse vehicles have always been considered fast, as they have always been trimmed for racing by master craftsman Wilkie Wilkinson. Celebrities such as Jackie Stewart,Innes Ireland and Masten Gregoryalso drove for this team, both in formula racing and in sports car races.
In 10 years, Ecurie Ecosse achieved 68 victories, including two Le Mans trophies.
A new start in 1982
The Ecurie Ecosse team was disbanded in 1972 and only revived under new management in 1982. The new team focused on the British GT Championship and the ELMS (European Le Mans Series).
Eight vehicles from the original Ecurie Ecosse for sale
Bonhams is auctioning eight Ecurie Ecosse vehicles, all of which come from Dick Skipworth's private collection.
Not only racing cars will be auctioned, but also the restored transporter that can safely transport three vehicles to the race track.
1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
The first vehicle of the Ecurie Ecosse was driven by Sir James Scott-Douglas and symbolizes the start of the Scottish racing team.
1953 Jaguar C-Type
This C-Type was driven by Ninian Sanderson in 1953, who went on to win Le Mans in 1956. Other drivers from 1953 were Jock Lawrence and Jimmy Stewart (later brother of Jackie Stewart) and Frank Curtis.
1956 Jaguar D-Type
This 'short-node' D-Type was driven by Ron Flockhart, who together with Ninian Sanderson took overall victory at Le Mans in 1956.
1959 Tojeiro-Jaguar
This unique Tojeiro-Jaguar was often driven by Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams.
1960 Cooper T49 Monaco
Driven by Bruce Halford (Le Mans 1961 with Cooper T57), Tommy Dickson and Sir Jackie Stewart.
1961 Austin-Healey 'Sebring' Sprite
This distinctive coupe commemorates the 1961 Le Mans entry driven by Ninian Sanderson and Bill Mackay.
1962 Tojeiro-Buick Coupe
Designer John Tojeiro's ultimate Le Mans contender was later converted to V8 rear engine and proved to be the forerunner of the 1963 Lola-Ford Mark VI GT.
1959 Ecurie Ecosse Transporter
Designed by aviation engineer Selby Howgate - unique coachwork by Alexander's of Falkirk - powered by a Commer TS3 six-cylinder diesel engine.
