Classic 1950s Jaguar D-Type set to smash car record and sell for £5million
The Jaguar D-Type is one of the most famous racing cars of all time thanks to Le Mans success in the 1950s. This model is the only one in Australia and is expected to break the record by four times
A CLASSIC British sports car is heading Down Under - and is set to break the record for most expensive car ever sold in Australia.
The 1955 Jaguar D-Type is estimated to sell for almost £5million at auction.
The model is one of the most sought-after classics and is expected to beat the current Aussie record by four times.
The Jag was previously owned by famous British racing driver Duncan Hamilton - who won Le Mans in 1953.
And the car itself has racing pedigree having competed in the UK, Europe, USA, Africa and Australia.
It's powered by a 3.4-litre engine developing around 250bhp.
And at the 1956 Dakar Grand Prix in Senegal, it is claimed the D-Type topped 200mph.
The car - known as XKD510 - is the only D-Type in Oz and has a guide price of £4.7million.
But even that is some way short of the highest ever paid for a D-Type.
Last year, the 1956 Le Mans winner was auctioned in the USA and sold for £16 million.
The D-Type is one of the greatest sports cars ever made thanks to its five wins at Le Mans in the 1950s.
Paul Sumner, Mossgreen CEO, said: "The Jaguar D-type is one of the world's most significant and collectible marques, and we are thrilled and excited to have this exceptional and historic car consigned to our inaugural Motorclassica Auction.
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"Along with impeccable provenance and competition history, the D-type is gorgeous, an absolute work of art, a sculpture on wheels, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
"It's the most valuable car to ever go to public auction in Australia, and no doubt will set new records on auction night at Motorclassica."
The Jaguar D-Type is being sold by Mossgreen Auctions at the annual Motorclassica Sale, held on October 14 in Melbourne.
