Gallery: 1984 Jaguar XJR-5 IMSA GTP

Submitted by msr on October 21, 2011

Jaguar C and D-types dominated Le Mans throughout the early 1950s, winning the 24 hour race in ’51, ’53, ’55 and ’56, and pulling off a complete podium lock-out in 1957. Rule changes ended their winning streak after 1957 and it wasn’t until the early ’80s and the arrival of the IMSA GTP class that a new monster Jag would arrive with factory backing.

Enter the XJR-5.

1984 Jaguar XJR-5

Jaguar withdrew from racing in the late 1950’s and stayed away for nearly two decades. In 1975 the company began to show interest again, especially in U.S. racing. Group 44 Inc. had been Jaguar’s motor sport contractor in the U.S. for years and, the early 1980’s when Jaguar decided to participate in a new IMSA GTP class that was being formed, it was only logical that Group 44 Inc build their entry.

Chassis designer Lee Dykstra, a noted ground effects specialist, was engaged by Group 44 Inc. to do the car’s basic design. He used the relatively long V12 engine as a stressed chassis member, bolting it directly to the aluminum monocoque. The slim design allowed room for underbody aerodynamics as well as large, clean wing surfaces on both sides of the engine. The body itself was designed by Randy Witeen and is considering by many to be the most beautiful of all IMSA cars.A number of manufacturers participated in the class, including Ford, Chevrolet, Buick and BMW, but the only cars that provided any competition for Porsche were the Jaguars. Ford, for example, won only one event. Jaguar won twelve. Group 44 Inc’s contract with Jaguar called for Group 44 Inc to return Jaguar to Le Mans, which they did in 1984/85.Chassis 010 was the final XJR-5 built. It’s been fully restored by Rick Knoop and Jim Busby. The engine, built by Ed Pink, is virtually new with very little racing time. With Knoop at the wheel, it ran at this year’s Rolex Motorsports Reunion, finishing a strong second behind Stefan Johansson. The car has been fully detailed at Canepa Design.