Jaguar 75 Year Anniversary Celebrated at Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend

MAHWAH, N.J., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Jaguar Cars is celebrating its 75th year anniversary at the Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend with a series of memorable heritage events, featuring an unprecedented gathering, and driving, of Jaguar's greatest creations.  The weekend culminates on Sunday, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where Jaguar will be honored as a featured marque with two spectacular classes of Jaguars invited to the show field.

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"2010 is such a wonderful year for Jaguar Cars.  We celebrate our 75th Anniversary and the creation of a whole new generation of beautiful fast cars," said Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars.  "It is especially fitting that this celebration is taking place at Pebble Beach, the ultimate destination for the world's automotive enthusiasts, where Jaguar has such a rich history. We invite everyone to join us in commemorating Jaguar's 75 years of design and innovation, and also take a new close look at the renaissance of our product lineup, led by the spectacular all-new XJ."

Jaguar Cars highlights for Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend:

McCalls Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center

Wednesday, August 11

Jaguar will display, on loan from the Petersen Automotive Museum, the XKSS, formerly owned by Steve McQueen, and will debut the exclusive 2011 MY Jaguar XKR175 Coupe.  

The XKR175 is powered by a supercharged V8 with 510hp and 461 lb-ft of torque and top speeds raised to an electronically-limited 174mph. To ensure that the XKR175 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic package incorporates a new front air dam, new side sills, a new rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler providing increased balance and a reduction in lift.

Production of the XKR175 is limited to 175 vehicles at an MSRP of $104,500 (including destination charge).  There will be 15 Jaguar XKR175 models for the Canadian market as well.

Jaguar XKSS Reunion

A momentous part of the Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend will be the first time ever reunion of 12 of only 16 surviving Jaguar XKSS sports cars. The Jaguar XKSS reunion, believed to be the largest-ever gathering of XKSS cars, will be on display as its own special Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance class on Sunday, August 15.

In tandem with the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex on Thursday, August 12, Jaguar XKSS owners have been invited to participate in a special Pebble Beach Rally that will begin and end at Casa Palmero, lapping Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and pausing for photos and refreshments at the historic Carmel Mission Basilica. Jaguar XKSS owners will also have the opportunity to get some hot laps in with racing legend Paul Gentilozzi in the new Jaguar XKR175 at Mazda Raceway.

Following the success of the factory team D-types in winning Le Mans, Jaguar built a number of D-types for sale to private competitors. A production line was set up and 87 cars built. However, sales were slow and the company decided to convert unsold D-types to high-performance road cars that could also be raced.

The new model, called the Jaguar XKSS, was announced on January 21, 1957. The chassis was virtually identical to the racing D-type with four-wheel disc brakes, racing wheels, four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox and a 37-gallon fuel tank. The 3.4 liter, six-cylinder, twin-cam engine had three Weber carburetors and developed 262 horsepower. Aluminum-bodied, it weighed approximately 2000 pounds.

Only sixteen XKSS models were built before February 12, 1957, when a fire at the Jaguar factory destroyed the remaining D-types.  

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Thursday Night Kick-Off Party

Thursday, August 12

In honor of its 75th Anniversary, Jaguar is hosting the Thursday night Pebble Beach kick-off party to be held at the Beach and Tennis Club on August 12, 2011 Jaguar XF, XK and XJ models will be on display alongside a spectacular collection of Jaguar heritage vehicles.  

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

Friday, August 13

Jaguar will bring two legendary racing vehicles to this motorsports extravaganza. On display will be the 1988 Le Mans-winning XJR9 and the legendary 1966 XJ13.

Back in 1988, Jaguar entered at least five XJR9s for that year's Le Mans 24 Hour race, each powered by a Jaguar 7-liter V12 engine which produced 750 hp. This car on display, driven by Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries and Andy Wallace, fought off challenges from a field of Porsche's 962Cs, to take the checkered flag in one of the most thrilling Le Mans finishes ever.

The XJ13 prototype is the work of Jaguar's great aerodynamicist, Malcolm Sayer. It was designed as a potential Le Mans contender in the 60s, but by the time the first and only car had been completed in 1966, the rules had changed and this mid-engined 5-liter V12 supercar with 502 hp was obsolete.  During testing however on the tight, narrow banking at the MIRA test track in the UK, it lapped at an incredible 161 mph, establishing a new lap record in the hands of Jaguar's legendary test driver, Norman Dewis.

In a twist of fate, when Norman took the car back to the MIRA track in 1971 for some filming, a wheel gave way on the banking at 140 mph-plus, causing the car to flip end over end; amazingly, he walked away unscathed. The car was rebuilt after the accident and restored again in 2006.

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Concept Lawn

Saturday, August 14 – Sunday, August 15

As part of the year-long celebration of Jaguar's 75 Years of Looking Forward, Jaguar Cars design team has created the XJ75 Platinum Concept, a one-of-a-kind design project to be displayed at the Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn during the Concours. The XJ75 Platinum Concept is the company's first demonstration of the design customization potential of the striking new XJ luxury sedan, emphasizing the Jaguar's dramatic interior and exterior styling themes.

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Sunday, August 15

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name, the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance has invited two spectacular classes of Jaguars to its show field on August 15. One class will be the historic Jaguar XKSS reunion display.  Secondly, the Jaguar 75th Anniversary class will focus on the development of Jaguar sports and racing models from the early SS90 through to the XJ13 Prototype. The winner of the special 75th Anniversary class will receive a trophy designed by Jaguar Cars Design Director Ian Callum.

Key historic Jaguars on display Sunday, August 15 include:

• The 1935 SS90 that served as the prototype for the first car named Jaguar
• Early examples of both the SS1 and the SS100
• The first C-type sent to the US and raced by Phil Hill
• A Le Mans–winning D-type
• The actual E-type that debuted at the New York Auto Show in 1961

Additional information including images and video can be found on http://us.mediajaguar.com or www.interactivejaguar.com.

Jaguar

From its beginning as a manufacturer of motorcycle sidecars in 1922, Jaguar Cars has grown to become one of the world's premier manufacturers of luxury sedans and sports cars and with that, one of the most recognized commercial brands. The company's vision is simple: To produce beautiful fast cars that are desired the world over. The company operates two manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and is fully engaged in environmental programs, community work and brand awareness exercises such as motorsports.

SOURCE Jaguar Land Rover North America LLC