Jaguar’s legendary C-Type was produced from 1951 to 1953 during which time just 53 examples were built. Despite its slim production window the C-Type left its mark on the motoring world with impressive competition achievements, highlighted by two wins at Le Mans. While the original C-Types are very expensive, companies such as Proteus have long offered high-quality replicas at substantially more affordable prices. While early Proteus C-Types were spartan replicas of the originals, some of which were GRP bodied and in kit form, numerous improvements have been made over the years with Proteus developing more powerful, safer, and comfortable versions of their car. These developments were capped off by the ‘Classic meets Clever’ series.

One of the most notable aspects that sets Proteus apart from competitors is their Superformed aluminum body, a unique hot forming process that results in a more durable and refined shape. The body is mounted to a tubular steel chassis that is laser cut and TIG welded. The chassis features a lightweight double wishbone suspension at each corner. Additional highlights include a custom aluminum radiator and fuel tank, as well as a wiring harness that features a modern fuse box and relays. The Proteus is two-inches wider than the original C-Type, this additional space paired with more modern components offer a very usable finished product.

This Jaguar C-Type Evolution by Proteus is referred to as Car 13. It was completed in 2015 and was the first of the new ‘Classic meets Clever’ series to be equipped with left-hand-drive for the U.S. market. It is finished in the traditional shade of dark, Glasurit nonmetallic British Racing Green with a Cyclops center fog light behind the grille, twin Brooklands windscreens, Wilwood brakes, Nitron shocks, and knock-off wire wheels. The interior is trimmed in the finest Ingleston Saddle Brown leather from Muirhead of Scotland and features a wood rimmed Moto-Lita steering wheel, modern instrumentation, dashboard grab rail, full carpeting, and black vinyl dash binnacle. The litany of options in this car include Jaguar spinners, dual tone horn, brown leather bonnet straps, external chrome bonnet catches, Jaguar growler embossed steering center, GB enamel badges, 1950s Lucas wing mirrors, polished alloy C-Type cam covers with C-Type badges, power cut-off switch, fitted fire extinguisher, and an under bonnet lamp.

Car 13 is powered by a 1984 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder Jaguar XK engine fed by Bosch fuel injectors and a custom electronic fuel-injection setup utilizing a throttle body. The result produces significantly more brake horsepower than the original carbureted versions. The engine is backed by a Tremec T5 five-speed manual gearbox with power sent to a lightweight limited-slip differential.

Current ownership took delivery in May of 2016. Later that year, in December, a faulty ECU was replaced under warranty. In October 2017 the engine taken apart to find the cause of an engine noise. It was determined the crankshaft had been incorrectly ground and the engine was sent back to England to be properly rebuilt. In May of 2018 the car’s engine was reinstalled and since then the consignor states the car has performed without issue.

This stunning Jaguar C-Type Evolution by Proteus has covered just 2,346 miles since its completion in 2015. The car is accompanied by its Proteus vehicle order form, build photos, service invoices from new, a custom tonneau, and a copy of the May 2017 issue of Reincarnation magazine it was featured in.