The joy of victory 1956-2006
Fifty years on from the D-Type’s most glorious triumph at Le Mans, Jaguar introduces the D-Type 1956 limited edition fountain pen - a tribute to the success of one of the world’s most famous racing cars, in the world’s most famous sports car endurance race.
The Jaguar D-Type 1956 fountain pen is a passionate celebration of the Jaguar D-Type’s functional, sensuous lines, its charisma and its timeless beauty, all of which have ensured its iconic design status.
In the mid-1950s, cutting edge aerodynamics and world class performance set the Jaguar D-Type apart from its rivals, again and again.
A high tech driving machine built for victory, the Jaguar D-Type defeated all other cars at Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957.

The Jaguar D-Type crosses the finishing line at the 24-hour Le Mans, 1956
Built to win
“If it was an aircraft, the Jaguar D-Type would have been a Spitfire.”
Mark Phillips, Jaguar’s principal designer of advanced design and creative director of the Jaguar D-Type 1956 fountain pen.

The early 1950s was a period of explosive growth for Jaguar. In 1953, for the first time, Jaguar produced over 10,000 vehicles in one year. The Jaguar D-Type was built with one objective in mind – to win the 24 hour Le Mans race.
The D-Type’s curvaceous lines and drop dead gorgeous looks were designed to achieve superlative aerodynamics: this was a precision instrument tailor-made for Le Mans.
Aircraft construction methods were applied to a race car for the first time ever, improving the car’s rigidity and strength. The D-Type employed design and build techniques which, 15 years later, would become universal amongst Grand Prix cars.
The first racing car to be produced entirely out of aluminium, the Jaguar D-Type achieved speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Its basic shell doubled as the chassis, giving it the advantage of saving weight and being inherently more rigid.

Rubber mounting blocks insulated potentially noisy components. With its bag tanks for fuel, the D-Type borrowed much from aircraft practice.

The driving seat was positioned lower than in the D-Type’s predecessor, the C-Type. The D-Type provided greater protection from the elements – an important consideration for cold, wet nights racing at Le Mans.

The D-Type’s flowing body shape gave the car a remarkably high top speed for the horsepower available – crucially important for tackling the long straights of Le Mans. Its distinctive tail fin assured directional stability and speed.
“From my own experience I can vouch for the fact that at speeds of 170mph it was possible to sit in the cockpit, relaxed and in relative silence in an envelope of near-still air, steering the car with no more pressure than finger and thumb. Especially in the dark the effect was both uncanny and deceptive, the speed effect coming as a real shock as, on the straight, one rushed past cars of nominally similar performance.”
Bob Berry, who raced the Jaguar D-Type in the 1950s
The D-Type triumphs
In 1955, Ivor Bueb and Mike Hawthorn from Jaguar’s official team drove the Jaguar D-Type to its first ever Le Mans victory. In 1956, a private team by the name of Ecurie Ecosse, a co-operative of rich young Scotsmen, triumphed at Le Mans. Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart drove a Jaguar D-Type a distance of 2,507.183 miles, at an average of 104.465 mph. Later that year, Jaguar withdrew from the field of international racing and ceased to enter official entries or works teams. Ecurie Ecosse led a Jaguar D-Type to first place at Le Mans the following year.
1956 - A glory year for Jaguar
In 1956, Jaguar became the first manufacturer ever to come first place in both the Le Mans and Rheims races in the same year. Sir William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar Cars, was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.