2009-10-03 15:00:18 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2009-10-05 21:51:20 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2009-11-15 05:24:39 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2011-06-26 05:02:07 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2011-11-09 13:53:24 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2020-06-06 22:29:22 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2020-06-06 22:31:31 | Coventry Racers writes:

The record was updated:

2009-04-14 17:46:46 | pauls writes:

According to "Jaguar D Type & XKSS" by Graham Robson car was dispatched Sept. 12, 1955. Registered TKF 9 to A. McMillan.

2009-06-20 04:40:49 | Gilles Lachance writes:

XKD517 is presently for sale by Duncan Hamilton & co. Ltd. Many photos are available on their web site :
www.duncanhamilton.com
This car is presently white.
Comment added on June 20th, 2009

2009-10-05 21:14:37 | pauls writes:

Now listed as sold by above vendor.

Sellers description:
Chassis Number: XKD517 and Registration Number: TKF 9 Originally finished in pastel green, XKD517 was delivered new to Henlys of Manchester. It was owned in turn by Gillie Tyrer, Alex McMillan and then the Murkett Brothers of Huntingdon, who painted it white (the colour it wears today) and campaigned it for Henry Taylor. He won at Snetterton and finished third at Spa. In 1958 it passed into the hands of Jock McBain and the Border Rivers team. Its principal driver during that year was rising star Jim Clark. In his talented hands it finished all 20 races for which it was entered and notched up 12 outright victories. An exceptionally original car, it now provides a unique opportunity to acquire an integral part of one of the most charismatic periods of British motorsport.

2009-10-17 14:33:29 | Philippe writes:

Seen at Spa-Francorchamps, September 2009. Finished 3rd in Woodcote Trophy race, driven by Pearson/Monteverde.

2011-02-28 15:32:48 | Claude writes:

hello, I am from France and we manage an Historic Rally, Charbonnières les Bains. I want to put a coventryracers link in our website. Do you agree? I have already made a test, you can see in :
www.charbo-historique.fr/association. Thanks you for your agrement and congratulations for coventryracers.com. Claude BAYLE

2013-01-21 03:26:49 | David VALENTINE writes:

The car was Brg when Ensoll owned it. he also had it for sale for £800!

2014-02-13 17:59:31 | Chris Adams writes:

When it belonged to Alex McMillan it was very successful, McMillan also had several other racecar's over the years that he successfully raced, one of which was an Aston Martin DB2 MYT 625, www.myt625.co.uk.

2015-05-13 20:41:19 | Chas writes:

This car was raced at Thornaby Airfield in 1959 by the then owner Alan Ensoll, he also used the car on public roads with a modified rear end which removed the Fin and fitted a Boot Rack when he and his Wife went on holiday in the car!!

2020-09-26 14:35:27 | Mike Mayfield writes:

I have written a somewhat lengthy and detailed update on the history of "D" Type XKD 517, with specific references to the racing careers of Alex MacMillan and Jim Clark with the Nottingham Sports Car Club between 1954 & 1958.

As the piece clearly exceeds your 1000 word limit, I am unable to send it via your Web page. Please advise if there is another way I can get it to you, as I feel it is of interest.

Regards,

Mike Mayfield,

Club Archivist, Nottingham Sports Car Club.

2026-03-06 17:54:48 | pauls writes:

Car now said to be sold by DK Engineering:

2k0h5.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/mr/sh/7nVTPdZCTJDXOxjQohRjnRQa4691aSH/WYvb5TwpVOgd

Their description:

DK Engineering are delighted to announce the sale of this remarkably significant ex Jim Clark Jaguar D-type, XKD 517

Jim Clark at Charterhall, 1958 - Courtesy of GPL Library

Instrumental in progressing the early racing career of eventual double-world champion, Jim Clark, 'TKF 9' represents a remarkably significant example of Jaguar’s D-type. This early short-nose, 'no fin' D-type, originally supplied to Gillie Tyler via Merseyside-based Litherland Motors in Pastel Green with green leather, was later acquired by Futura Rubber Company and campaigned by Alex McMillan in various UK-based club events.

Henry Taylor at Goodwood, 1957 - Courtesy John Ross

In May 1956, XKD 517 was acquired by the Murkett Brothers. The Murkett family spearheaded a reputable automotive engineering and servicing business that spanned multiple sites throughout Cambridgeshire. With expertise in maintenance and upkeep of predominantly British marques, including Jaguar, the brothers decided to campaign their D-type throughout Europe, employing the driving talents of Henry Taylor and Archie Scott-Brown. Early on during the brothers’ campaign, which saw 'TKF 9' driven at Spa-Francochamps and the Nürburgring, the car was refinished in off-white, the colour scheme it would go on to sport throughout its most notable competition endeavours.

In early 1958 the D-type was sold to the Scottish-based, Border Reivers team, run by Ian Scott Watson. Whilst the Scott Watson name may not ring as globally recognisable, his contribution to worldwide motorsport came in the form of his mentorship of twice-world champion and Indy 500 victor, Jim Clark. The two had met for the first time at Young Farmers Club, with Scott Watson taken aback by Clark’s obvious driving talents. After posting a time 3 seconds faster than Scott Watson at Crimond Raceway in the same car, Clark was employed as Border Reivers’ star driver.

Having cut their teeth with a Porsche 356, the D-type would be the car that truly catapulted Clark’s reputation. Throughout 1958, Clark entered 20 races in 'TKF 9', claiming victory in 12. In correspondence with Jaguar’s motorsport boss Lofty England, Scott Watson notes that Clark displayed ‘extreme promise’.

During this time, Scott Watson and Border Reivers granted Clark the opportunity to test a Lotus Formula Two car at Brands Hatch. During the test, which took place in August of 1958, Clark was introduced to Team Lotus boss, Colin Chapman, for whom he would go on to win his two Formula One World Championships.