Jaguar Classic has previously revived the vintage E-type and XKSS, and now for their third project, the team are going to rebuild the legendary D-type. The first example, an engineering prototype, made its world debut at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris yesterday.

The Jaguar D-type won three times at the 24-hour Le Mans race in 1955, 1956 and 1957. 100 examples were planned, but only 75 had been produced when production ceased in 1956. Jaguar Classic will work towards completing the remaining quota, meaning 25 all-new, period-correct D-types will be available, all built by hand at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Warwickshire, UK.

While these cars will be “new”, everything about the D-type, including the six-cylinder XK engine, will adhere to authentic, original specifications. Owners can select either 1955-specification Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose bodywork. The engineering prototype is the latter, with an extended bonnet, tail fin behind the driver’s head, wide-angle cylinder head and quick-change brake calipers.