Perhaps one of the greatest race-cars of all time, say hello to the 1982 Jaguar XJR-5 ISMA GTP race car, chassis no. 001. This car is indeed the first of 12 total XJR-5 race cars built, 2 of which never raced. The story of the XJR-5 starts in 1957, when the rules were changed of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, leaving Jaguar’s dominant D-type obsolete. At first this effectively ended Jaguar’s interest in sports cars racing. After Jaguar’s withdrawal, that left only privateers, which in motorsport are people that are usually an entrant into a racing event, but without being supported by a manufacturer. One of the most premier Jaguar privateers was Bob Tullius, who was a former racecar driver and owner of his own racing team, Group 44 Incorporated. When the new ISMA GTP class formed, Tullius began constructing a prototype V12 Jaguar racer, which he happened to know a thing or two about already from his extensive Jaguar V12 racing history. Tullius went searching for the talent he needed to complete the project knowing that creating this new Jaguar racer would be one of the biggest leaps of all time for group 44. This specific car was raced minimally and was plagued with issues, but overall the XJR-5 was ultimately a success as it was the first Jaguar to reach the top step of the podium in an international racing series in more than 25 years during the 1983 Road Atlanta 500km. It was also the first factory-backed prototype to win an ISMA race.
How many made? 12 Total were produced with only 10 of those cars actually being raced. This car is the first built, car no. 001.
Engine: The XJR-5 used a 6.2L Jaguar naturally aspirated V12 that produces 650bhp at 7,500rpm
Debut: Road America’s Pabst 500 miles in August of 1982.
Top speed: 217 mph
0-60mph: n/a
Photo credit: @bonhamsmotoring
Research: @rarecarsonly