1955 Jaguar XKD-type Sports Racer

This is the first production D-type, out of long and dedicated ownership, unspoiled and still in its original form

by Paul Hardiman

XKD 509, the first “production” D off the line in 1955, has a long and interesting history. It was supplied new to New York distributor Chuck Hornburg, who sold it to Albert R. Browne of Menlo Park. At the time, its new price in the U.K. was £2,500 ($6,957).

After unsuccessfully approaching Phil Hill and Carroll Shelby to drive it, Browne turned to French-born veteran Lou Brero. The car appeared at Sebring, its British Racing Green replaced with a shocking new livery of matte dark blue stripes over white, unlike anything seen on a D-type before, but intended to make the car more visible in the night sections of the 12-hour race.

That ended with clutch failure after 58 laps, but later the car managed a quite extensive American racing history, including a second overall in a 150-mile race at Elkhart Lake, beaten only by Shelby in a 4.4-liter Ferrari.

By 1957, Brero had acquired the D and won at Stockton. After the car suffered engine failure...