ixo-MODELS
Series: Le Mans and GT Cars Classic
LM1953 – JAGUAR XK 12OC (C-Type)
1953 Winner Le Mans
Car No 18 Driven by T. Bolt – D. Hamiltorn (GB)
Die Cast
1:43 Scale
Retails up to $35.00
Condition: new stock as issud
Additional discount is available for regular customers.
This model represents the race winner car. The racetrack was 8.384 miles; the car covered the distance of 2540.210 miles completing 303 laps, with the record average speed of 105.84, which was the first time in the Le Mans history when average speed was over 100 mph. 22nd Le Mans Race that was fifth race after WW II happened June 13-14, 1953. This was the second win at Le Man for the Jaguar and the last competition year for the C-Type, which was replaced with new D-Type. In 1953 Le Mans Jaguar team finished in 1st, 2nd and 4th positions overall and 1st,2nd and 3rd in a class. The race was a great success for the Jaguar Team. One more C-Type entered the race by Jacques Swaters team, the car finished in overall 9th position and 6th in the class. 36 cars retired during the race.
Sadly one fatal accident accrued. Team Luigi Chinetti Sr (Ferrari 340MM Vignale) lost its driver.
*I don’t’ believe that the Le Mans Winner Car models get a special collection status among IXO products. It appears that it is a sub-series within the ‘Le Mans Classic Series’. Models from this sub-line have different catalogue numeration system that consists of letters LM and a four digits number that represents the year of the win. Models come with a standard IXO display case but have a special design blue color outer carton sleeve.
Please be advise that some Le Mans Winner Car models were previously released by IXO under it standard catalogue numeration (LMC – Le Mans Classic). Such models are identical but have different packaging
ABOUT THE C-Type
“C TYPE, In 1951 Jaguar tuned, refined and rebodied the dashing XK 120 road car to create the C120… the car that would give Jaguar its first win at Le Mans! The C-Type’s body is one of the most defining shapes of 50’s sport cars and foretells the styles to come out of Coventry through 1960. Powered by Jaguar’s six cylinder 3.4-litre engine, this car teat Aston Martin, Ferrari and Talbot to give Jaguars its first o four victories at Le Mans during the 1950’s”
Between 1951-53 43 had been build, plus 11 race version. Was developed by Jaguar primarily for racing, but it could also be used on the road – as indeed many were. It borrowed many components from XK 120 (twincam engine, gearbox, rear axel), but had its own multi-tulbar chassis and distinctive aerodynamic light-alloy open roadster body. No concession was made to weather protection or comfort. It was a successful competitor at Le Mans (won in 1951 and 1953) Top speed was over 140 mph.
This car is very significant to Jaguar racing history.
157” Long; 96” wheel base; 2075 lb weight; L 6 (210 cid), 3442 cc/dohc with 200 bhp. Price new was equivalent to $6,000. At some point collectors paid over a $1,000,000 for C - Types with documented competition history.
Though it is very similar in appearance to a streetcar but you will see differences, a windshield only on a driver side, passenger seat is covered and also some difference on a rear part of a body.
ABOUT THE MODEL MAKER
ixo-MODELS are made in China by SONIC INTERNATIONAL (TOYS) LIMITED.
Packaging is attractive, models attached w/a screw to the black plastic display case w/printed model name on it, has a clear acrylic top, display packed in a carton sleeve.
The brand is on a market just for a few years. However, 1/43 scale die cast car models collectors familiar with high quality models that were on a market for several years in the lines of Vitesse Group. Skid, Onyx, many models from Vitesse and 2-Wheels (1/24 scale motorcycles) were made by the same people that now works in IXO.
You can find numerous models released under the IXO badge previously released in Vitesse Group lines. New castings (models) and previously released models of sport and rally cars in new liveries are issued on the regular basis.
The current IXO product list consist of 10 collections: Modern Rally Cars, Classic Rally Cars, Modern LeMans and GT Cars, Classic LeMans and GT Cars, Modern Road Cars, Classic Road Cars, MotorBikes (1/24 Scale), Ferrari Collection and the latest one ixomodels Junior.
As a collector I can say it is a good product indeed. While a quality is very competitive to Minichamps the price is much more affordable. It is especially noticeable with sport and rally cars.
It appears that IXO issued their models on the Limited Run basis. You probably know what it means but if you don’t it is simple. Recently it became a common practice with high quality model-makers. Relatively small number of models released on a market at a time. The company will release a new quantity of the same model only when a demand for a model will be strong again. As a result not all models from a company catalogue are available on a market all the time. It means if you want a model get it as soon as you can, otherwise you don’t know when and if the model will be available on a market again. In addition it is very unlikely that the model will be made in the same appearance, color and / or livery probably will be different if the model (tooling) will be run again.
