William Lyons was born in England in 1901. As a young man, Lyons lived near William Walmsley, owner of a motorcycle sidecar company called Swallow. Lyons was very interested in motorcycles, and he became Walmsley’s business partner as an adult.
As Walmsley’s business partner, Lyons expanded Swallow to make automobiles. Swallow’s first motorcar was a success, and Lyons launched his passion project: making his own car from scratch. By 1931, Lyons finished his first car and had plans for better versions.
Then, in 1935, the SS Jaguar made its debut. The car had a more powerful engine than Lyons’ first design, but that still wasn’t good enough. In 1948, Lyons’ dream came true.
Jaguar Cars Ltd. introduced the XK, an incredibly powerful sports car reaching speeds over 100 mph — extremely fast in those years.
The XK was very successful, earning top prizes at races like Le Mans. Lyons passed away years later, but the Jaguar name lived on. Today, Jaguar makes some of the most respected sports cars in the world. With all that prestige, most Jaguars are very expensive.
Here’s our list of the most expensive Jaguar cars in the world!
8. 1991 Jaguar XJR-15
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: 2021
Car Fact: This car has a V12 engine
photo source: hagerty.com
First up is the rare road-going Jaguar XJR-15 from 1991. Just 27 are street legal, and the rest were made for Formula One racing. Production lasted only one season, so this model is super rare overall.
RM Sotheby’s sold one XJR-15 for just under $2 million in 2021, making it one of the most expensive Jaguars in the world.
Did you know?
Many XJR-15s have sold for under seven figures according to Hagerty. But recent interest in race cars from the ‘90s has upped the price point. This particular unit was uniquely expensive because it sold with just 79 miles on the odometer.
7. The Jaguar XJR-9 Daytona Winner
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: 2015
Car Fact: This car won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1990
photo source: rmsothebys.com
In 1990, this Jaguar race car won the 24 Hours of Daytona. Just a year before, the same vehicle ranked second overall in the same race. Even more impressive, Jaguar only made two race cars of this kind. RM Sotheby’s says the rare race car has been carefully restored to its original condition, making it a very special part of Jaguar racing history.
In 2015, this racer sold for a whopping $2.14 million — making it the world’s seventh most expensive Jaguar car ever produced.
Did you know?
This Jaguar race car earned a podium finish at the 1990 12 Hours of Sebring.
6. 2000 Jaguar F-Type Concept Car
Car Seller: Jaguar
Year Sold: N/A
Car Fact: This car was built for racing
photo source: topcarrating.com
Jaguar was a top-tier name in sports cars in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but that image was fading slightly by the late ‘90s. The company wanted to change that. Around 1999, the design team set out to make a car that would put the focus on Jaguar’s long history of impressive sports cars. The new design would have a powerful engine and a sleek body that looked a lot like vintage models.
By 2000, the new F-Type concept car made its debut. Sadly, the car never made it to full production, but the project’s ultimate goal was successful. “The F-Type Concept is a clear signal of Jaguar’s intent to return to the true sports car market in which we were so successful in the 1950s,” said Johnathan Browning, a Jaguar executive. And it’s not hard to see why. The F-Type features the hallmarks of Jaguar’s mid-century glory: sloping coachwork, sleek corners, and smooth edges.
Today, the 2000 Jaguar F-Type concept car is worth about $3 million — making it the sixth most expensive Jaguar car ever made.
Did you know?
This car reaches top speeds of about 150 to 155 mph.
5. 2004 Jaguar Blackjag Concept Car
Car Seller: N/A
Year Sold: N/A
Car Fact: Jaguar only made one 2004 Blackjag
photo source: topspeed.com
In 2004, Jaguar announced the Blackjag concept car, a sleek vehicle crafted by Fuore Design. The design company collaborated with Jaguar to create a car showcasing the brand’s powerful engines.
Although it never saw full-scale production, the Blackjag still earned attention from sports car fans. Today, the one-of-a-kind vehicle is worth just under $4 million — making it the fifth most expensive Jaguar car in the world. Would you drive it?
Did you know?
The Blackjag is impressive, but some Jaguar enthusiasts were disappointed that it never reached full development. As one outlet put it, “The concept was…a showcase piece Fuore Design created for the British marquee that eventually amounted to nothing more than hype unfulfilled.”
4. The Rare Jaguar C-Type From 1952
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: 2017
Car Fact: Jaguar only made 53 ‘52 C-Types
photo source: rmsothebys.com
In 1952, Jaguar Cars Ltd. wanted to make a new car worthy of the Jaguar name. The company had already established itself as a beast in the racing world, so this new model had to be top-tier.
After careful development, the 1952 Jaguar C-Type was born. Only 53 units were built, and they were all very impressive. Legendary driver Phil Hill drove this particular unit, and RM Sotheby’s sold it for an astonishing $5.28 million in 2017.
According to the auction house, “This stunning C-Type is just the seventh example of 53 cars in the chassis number sequence and wears the ninth body constructed.”
Did you know?
Construction of this Jaguar car was completed in June 1952.
3. The 1953 Jaguar C-Type Works Lightweight
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: 2015
Car Fact: This car placed 4th at the 1953 Le Mans
photo source: rmsothebys.com
Jaguar entered this car at the 1953 Le Mans. The company only made three Works Lightweights, and this one placed fourth overall in the ‘53 race.
According to RM Sotheby’s, this car has a very well-documented history. Part of that includes a specialized restoration process that brought the car back to ‘53 Le Mans specifications. The car was carefully preserved in a climate-controlled facility for years until an anonymous buyer purchased it for over $13 million.
Did you know?
This car was restored by John Pearson of the United Kingdom. Pearson paid close attention to the entire process, even ensuring the coachwork was exactly as thick as the original configuration.
2. 1954 Jaguar D-Type Works
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: N/A
Car Fact: Six Le Mans winners drove this car
photo source: rmsothebys.com
In 1954, Jaguar made five factory competition examples of the Jaguar D-Type. This particular car came to be part of the “Works” series, with chassis number XKD 403. RM Sotheby’s says the car is worth up to $15 million, making it the second most expensive Jaguar in the world.
Jaguar made this car specifically for top-tier racing, but things didn’t go as planned. At the 1954 Le Mans, the car’s engine misfired as a result of contaminated fuel. Legendary driver Stirling Moss was at the wheel, and he managed to secure an early lead despite the mishap. Sadly, another more serious problem arose deeper into the race: the car’s brakes failed.
Moss safely pulled the car off the track and the race was disappointingly lost.
Following the trouble at Le Mans, the car was repaired and used as a test vehicle for high-profile drivers. Many famous race car drivers used the car, including Jimmy Stewart, Mike Hawthorn, and more.
Did you know?
RM Sotheby’s says this car has a “deep file of research, including factory documentation.” The car’s repairs, drivers, and owners have been closely tracked over the years, making the vehicle a uniquely well-documented piece of Jaguar history.
1. The 1955 D-Type Jaguar Le Mans Winner
Car Seller: RM Sotheby’s
Year Sold: 2016
Car Fact: This car won Le Mans in 1956
photo source: autoblog.com
The 1955 D-Type Jaguar Le Mans Winner is the most expensive Jaguar car in the world.
Jaguar’s founder started making his first custom car in the early 20th century alongside a team of engineers. When the car was done, he told his team to focus on making a better engine right away. By the late ‘40s, Jaguar had an absolute speed demon called the XK.
The powerful sports car ranked among the fastest vehicles in those years, traveling up to 120 mph.
With the success of the XK, Jaguar started developing the famous D-Type race car. The car was famous for its feline-inspired body, with smooth slopes and slick edges. Jaguar entered one of the original D-Types in Le Mans in 1956. The car won the famous racing event, maintaining an average speed of just over 100 mph and traveling more than 2,500 miles.
The Jaguar was almost beat by a speedy Aston Martin, but the D-Type pulled through and made history.
RM Sotheby’s sold the winning Jaguar in 2016 for a jaw-dropping $21.78 million, making it the most expensive Jaguar car in the world.
Did you know?
This winning Jaguar has chassis number XKD 501.
