Iconic sports car which helped launch career of Borders F1 legend goes on display in Duns

On hand to welcome the arrival of the Jaguar D-Type to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum was from left, Jim Blackie, Steven Reed, Alastair Skinner, Andrew Tulloch, Simon Harper, David Phillip, Graham Fairley, Lawrence Johnston, Ian Deans, Kenneth McLean and Doreen Deans.

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 22nd Mar 2023
Last updated 22nd Mar 2023

An iconic sports car which helped launch the career of Borders racing star Jim Clark has arrived at the motorsport museum, named after the late F1 legend, in Duns.

Among those greeting the arrival of the Jaguar D-Type today (Wednesday) was local resident Ian Deans, who was a teenager when he worked on it as a mechanic.

In the car, Clark became the first British racing driver to average over 100mph in a British sports car race at Full Sutton, Yorkshire, in April 1958.

A month later, in May, he competed internationally for the first time at the Spa Grand Prix.

Clark raced in the car, with its distinctive shape, 20 times - winning 12 races. It will remain on display in the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum for the rest of the 2023 season.

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Jim had previously demonstrated his talent by winning the BDMC Trophy in 1957 - convincing Jock McBain, the local garage owner, that he should reform the Border Reivers Racing Team with Clark as his main driver.

The Jaguar D-Type TKF9 now on show, was purchased for the team and the 1958 racing season.

Simon Harper drives the latest attraction off the road and into the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum.

Kenneth McLean, the museum's Learning and Engagement Officer, said: “This is the first car that we have had on display that is not a Lotus, so it’s great to remind people of Jim Clark’s story prior to Formula One.

“This is an iconic racing car which will attract motorsport enthusiasts from around the world and is a huge draw back for people who have already visited the museum.”

While the museum is managed by local charity Live Borders, the car is owned by a Jersey-based partnership.

Simon Harper, a Fica Firo partner, said: “We are really pleased to lend the D-Type to the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum. We had the car up here in 2019 and we saw how much people in Duns loved it, so feels appropriate to display it in the museum.”

Ian Deans looks at the new car on display at the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum. As an 18 year-old, Ian worked on the car as a mechanic.

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