The Jaguar C-Type Spider holds a distinctive place among post-war British sports racers. Developed as a purposeful, open-bodied variant of the XK120-C, it strips the standard closed-tail racing bodywork to a minimal barchetta form. CMC has rendered this configuration in 1:18 scale with die-cast metal construction, adding photo-etched and turned metal components throughout, and has released this specific gold-finish edition in conjunction with Techno Classica Essen 2020 — one of the world's premier classic car events, held annually in Essen, Germany.
The Jaguar C-Type: a Space-Frame Racer Built to Win
Officially designated the XK120-C, the Jaguar C-Type was developed by William Lyons and William Heynes and debuted in 1951, winning Le Mans outright on its first appearance. The chassis is a multi-tube space frame clothed in hand-formed aluminium bodywork. Power comes from Jaguar's 3,442 cc straight-six XK engine, producing approximately 200 bhp in twin SU carburettor form as fitted to 1952 examples. The C-Type's combination of light construction, aerodynamic efficiency and that torque-rich six-cylinder made it a benchmark in early-1950s sports car racing.
Open Bodywork, Gold Finish: a Commemorative Variant with Rare Credentials
The Spider designation identifies an open, roadster-style body that omits the standard fixed windscreen and full-width tail — a configuration Jaguar built or authorised in small numbers. It is a genuinely distinct variant, not a trim option. CMC's gold livery on this example is a commemorative finish created specifically for Techno Classica Essen 2020 and has no historical race equivalent. CMC has a consistent tradition of producing gold special-finish editions tied to the Techno Classica event, each presented in unique paintwork absent from any other release in their catalogue. That rarity, combined with the already uncommon Spider body, makes this one of the most unusual C-Type variants CMC has produced.
CMC's 1:18 Scale Model: Die-Cast with Photo-Etched Precision
CMC (Classic Model Cars) builds its 1:18 models to a specification that sets them apart from standard die-cast production. This C-Type Spider uses die-cast metal as its primary material, supplemented by photo-etched components for grilles, badges and structural details, and turned metal parts where geometry demands precision. The result is a model that reads as a miniature engineering object rather than a toy — consistent with CMC's reputation for museum-grade output at 1:18. The gold finish is applied across the body panels with the same care CMC brings to any standard-production colour in their range.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the Jaguar C-Type Spider?
The C-Type Spider is an open, barchetta-style variant of the Jaguar XK120-C (C-Type), with minimal bodywork and no fixed windscreen. Jaguar built or authorised a small number of these open variants, distinct from the standard aerodynamic racing body.
What is the significance of the gold finish on this model?
The gold livery is a special finish produced by CMC for Techno Classica Essen 2020, one of the world's largest classic car events. It is not a historically raced colour; CMC produces these unique gold editions exclusively for the Techno Classica event, making them among the rarest colour variants in their range.
What materials does CMC use in this 1:18 model?
CMC constructs this model in die-cast metal, with photo-etched components for fine details and turned metal parts throughout. This combination places it at the top of the 1:18 quality hierarchy.
