£14m Jaguar to run through Bradford

A one-off Jaguar racing car worth an estimated £14 million, and believed by many enthusiasts to be one of the company’s most famous vehicles is to run through the streets of Bradford on Saturday.

The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) are sending the famous car to the Bradford Classic, a two day car extravaganza which is run every year by Bradford City Council, after an invite by local company Speedmaster

Accompanying the car, which was developed for the Le Mans 24-hour race in the 1960s, will be its equally famous test driver, Norman Dewis. Dewis was driving the car when it crashed on the Mira test track in 1971 at 140 mph after earlier breaking the lap record at 161 (259 km/h).

Kept in the JDHT museum in Coventry the car is very rarely seen, let alone run, and it is believed that this is the first time it has ever run through a British City.

The car will go on display at the Speedmaster Conference Centre on Saturday evening when Norman Dewis will give a talk about his exploits with the car.

Speedmaster’s James Hanson said: “ We really wanted to have this car in Bradford and the fact that it will drive through the streets will make history in its own right.”

Tony O’Keeffe, Curator of the museum, said: “ It is important that motoring enthusiasts are aware of Jaguar’s rich history and the cars which the Trust maintain as part of that. The Bradford Classic is an event, which attracts enthusiasts at every level, which is why We have decided to give them a real treat.”

Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, Councilor Adrian Naylor, said: “Our thanks go to Speedmaster and Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust for giving visitors the chance to view a car such as the XJ13.”

Norman Dewis will be giving a talk about his exploits with the car at the Speedmaster conference centre on Saturday evening at 7pm and tickets can be obtained from Speedmaste, at the Bradford Classic, or on the door.


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