At the 32nd edition of the Mille Miglia (May 15-18), Jaguar Heritage Racing is bringing a record line-up of ten Jaguars from the 1950s to the start. In addition to six Jaguar XK 120s, three examples of the 260 hp C-Type and a 370 hp "Long Nose" D-Type for the top crew of Martin Brundle/Bruno Senna stand out.
With starting line-up
In addition to other "skilled" racing drivers such as Le Mans winner Andy Wallace or steering wheel professionals such as Jaguar chief tester Mike Cross, well-known personalities from the film, music and entertainment industries will be taking part in the 1,700-kilometer drive.
Among others, Scottish singer Amy Macdonald, Hollywood star Jeremy Irons, legendary American talk show host, comedian and car collector Jay Leno and Belgian singer/songwriter Milow will be driving Jaguars between Brescia, Rome and Brescia again.
The most famous classic car regularity test par excellence
La Corsa più bella del Mondo - the "Nuova Mille Miglia", which has been held since 1977, is probably the most beautiful event in the annual classic car calendar. It takes place over four days through the most beautiful landscapes of northern and central Italy. A challenging but unforgettable route. Flanked by thousands and thousands of fans. In contrast to the original, which was held from 1927 to 1957, the modern edition is a regularity test. The focus is not on pure speed, but on precise adherence to a specific time limit. All vehicles that have already taken part in the original Mille Miglia are eligible.
Penultimate D-Type "Long Nose" built
Jaguar has entrusted the most powerful car in the ten-car line-up to two absolute professionals: Martin Brundle, Le Mans winner in 1990, 158-time Grand Prix driver and now a Formula 1 TV commentator, will drive a D-TYPE "Long Nose" together with Bruno Senna, the nephew of the great Ayrton. More precisely, the penultimate example built in March 1956. The D-TYPE, which became famous for its characteristic tail fin, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times between 1955 and 1957 and produced 275 hp in its final configuration.
The Mille Miglia car with chassis number XKD 605 won the 12 Hours of Reims with Hamilton/Bueb in 1956 and finished sixth at Le Mans. After Jaguar's withdrawal from motorsport, the car competed in the colors of the American Cunningham team (blue/white) at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1957 - and finished third with the Hawthorn/Bueb pairing.
The Jaguar returned to England for the first time in 1961. Painted in British Racing Green again, it was loaned to the Museo Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia in Turin, where it then spent almost 20 years.
Then it finally returned to its birthplace - the Jaguar factory in Browns Lane. This very faithful D-TYPE still bears the windshield required for Le Mans 1956, a passenger seat and door and the original police registration number 393 RW.
Three C-Types
The predecessor of the D-Type - the Jaguar C-Type - won Le Mans in 1951 and 1953 and was the first racing car in the world with disc brakes.
For the 2014 Mille Miglia, Jaguar is rolling three of these 260 hp sports cars onto the starting ramp in Brescia. Behind the wheel will be Andy Wallace, the lead singer of the rock group AC/DC, Brian Johnson and the Belgian cult singer and songwriter Milow.
A six-pack of XKs
The ex-Sir James Scott-Douglas XK 120, built in 1951 and used by the famous Ecurie Ecosse in the early 1950s, is home to America's most famous talk show host, Jay Leno. The 64-year-old son of a Scottish mother and an Italian father is a recognized lover of classic cars and an avid Jaguar collector.
In the ex-Duncan Hamilton-XK 120 Roadster with registration number LXF 731, the couple Elliot and Erin Gleave set off on a grand tour of "Bella Italia". "He" is a British rapper/singer and better known by his stage name "Example". "She" is an Australian TV presenter who met the musician during an interview for MTV.
Oscar and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Irons will tackle the "1,000 miles" in the XK 120 Roadster raced by Jim Swift in his heyday in the early 1950s. The Brit is one of the most sought-after character actors in Hollywood and Europe and was last seen in 2013 in Night Train to Lisbon and in the American fantasy film Beautiful Creatures (An Immortal Love).
Scottish singer and songwriter Amy Macdonald will also be seen in an XK. She will take her place in the cockpit of an XK140 that once stood in the garage of successful British racing driver David Hobbs.
Jaguar has entrusted Jin's former world record-breaking car to its famously fast Vehicle Integrity Chief Engineer, Mike Cross. The right-hand drive "Fixed Head Coupé" with police registration number LWK 707 is the famous "Seven days, Seven nights" car that set numerous records for Jaguar over seven days and nights with Stirling Moss and three other drivers in Monthléry near Paris in 1952.
This time, the Jaguar XK120 driven by Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln) at the 2013 Mille Miglia will be driven by a mixed pair: bestselling author David Blakeley and his future wife Jodie Kidd, ex-model, actress and TV presenter.
Unveiled in London on October 22, 1948, the XK 120 is considered one of the most beautiful Jaguars of all time. On and off the track, it beguiled with its harmoniously flowing lines, long hood and creamy 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The design seemed to replicate the physique and hunting behavior of the four-legged model from Amazonia 1:1 in aluminum.
The rear fenders were pushed together like those of the feline predator for a forward leap, while the front fenders stretched far forward. 160 hp helped the XK 120 reach a top speed of 200 km/h.
