A Look Inside the Rare Jaguar XJ13

Written by Paul Strauss | May 7, 2014

The Jaguar XJ13 is a one-of-a-kind race car that was designed back in the mid 1960s. The car was intended to race in Le Mans, but never saw the track due to changes in race regulations. In this video from a few years back, Motor Trend’s Angus MacKenzie got to spend some quality time with this extraordinary and rare beast.

jaguar_xj13_1

The mid-engine car is powered by a custom-built 5.0-liter V12 engine, which originally pushed out as much as 500 horsepower. In fact, its engine is essentially a pair of Jaguar XK 6-cylinder engines, mated together with a single crankshaft. The car was so powerful that it managed to set a MIRA test track record of over 161mph.

The XJ13’s history includes a major crash during a demonstration in 1971 which nearly destroyed it, but fortunately the car was reassembled in 1973 in order to bring it back to life. However, since the car was truly unique, Jaguar admits that the car we see here isn’t an exact reproduction of the original, with slightly wider wheel arches, as well as electrical and mechanical enhancements.

The car now resides at the Heritage Motor Centre Museum, in Gaydon, UK.

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