If genuine C-Type and D-Type Jaguars are rare; the XJ13 is simply unattainable. Just one was built in 1965, and its survival has been somewhat of a miracle. It was Jaguar’s first mid-engine car, built to campaign at LeMans. The idea of a V-12 had been under consideration for some time, as early as the start of the 1950s, but it was 1964 before the first test model was running.

Construction of the actual car began in 1965, and it was drivable by the following March. Malcolm Sayer, designer of the C-Type and D-Type bodies, sketched the car’s lines, and it was built up by Bob Blake, whose colleagues called him “an artist in metal.” The engine was a stressed member of the chassis, driving though a five-speed ZF transaxle. But by this time, company management enthusiasm for racing had waned, and production of the D-Type had been suspended. The XJ13 was put into storage and development halted.

In 1971, as the production V-12 was being promoted, the XJ13 was brought out for some high speed publicity runs at the Motor Industry Research Association facility in Warwickshire. A rear tire, which had been haphazardly repaired, deflated suddenly and the car rolled. Driver Norman Dewis was unhurt, but the car was nearly destroyed. The wreckage was put back into storage.

Some years later, it was rebuilt to a specification near to the original, and made its public debut in July 1973 when Jaguar racing manager Lofty England drove it around Silverstone at the British Grand Prix meeting. It is now displayed at the Heritage Motor Centre Museum at Gaydon, UK.

With the original out of circulation, covetous enthusiasts have only the replica industry at which to shop. Fortunately, there are many purveyors: Proteus, TWR, Vicarage, Racing Green and Barry Wingfield to name a few. One of the most highly respected is Tempero Coach & Motor Co., in Oamaru, on the south island of New Zealand, the constructors of the car on offer.

It is a full aluminum monocoque, as original, with front and rear clips fashioned from 16-gauge alloy over wooden bucks. The gearbox is a correct ZF five-speed transaxle, the front and rear suspension original Jaguar, and the steering original-type rack-and-pinion. The shock absorbers are correct Koni adjustables.

The engine is from a Series 2 XJ-12, with sequential fuel injection, 9.0 to 1 compression, dry-sump lubrication with internal oil pumps, and a front-mounted oil -radiator. The wheels are specially-cast pin-drive knock-offs, as original.

As presented, the car is in very good condition, although it has seen some use. Body contours and paint are very good, but the driving seat shows some wear, and split seams. The Pond Collection acquired it in 1995 from the Fine Car Store in La Jolla California. It has had a few repairs since, including new fuel cells in December 2010.