Remember Jag’s XJ13 from the Sixties.
It was a prototype designed to take on Le Mans.
Powered by a new quad-cam, 5.0-litre V12, the XJ13 was Jaguar’s first mid-engined car and arguably one of the most beautiful designs of all time.
Sadly, however, it remained a concept, banished to a corner of the Competition Department – mothballed and all but forgotten as other projects took priority.
Fast forward 50 years and the XJ13 could live again in the form of the Jaguar Ecurie Ecosse LM69.
The LM69 will be officially launched at the International Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, London on September 6-8.
While remaining true to the original concept, the LM69’s bodywork has been developed into an all-new design that has its own purposeful beauty.
The quad-cam V12 is the heart of the car, a unique signature that has been designed to evoke the experience of driving at Le Mans in 1969.
And here’s the thing, not only is the LM69 suitable for track use — it’s fully road-legal.
A strict brief was established from the start.
The design and engineering team had to adhere to the regulations of the time, and feature only design details and technology that entered motorsport no later than early 1969.
As the XJ13 would have done, had it been prepared for serious competition use, the LM69 benefits from innovations that appeared during that exciting era.
Composite materials have been used, it’s lighter than the original car, and it boasts experimental aerodynamic devices, wider wheels and tyres, and a much-improved engine.
Only 25 LM69s will be produced, in keeping with the 1969 FIA homologation requirements and to maintain its exclusivity.
Each car will be individually hand-built in the West Midlands by the best British craftsmen in their field.
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