Written and published by the car's owner Clive Beecham, we are proud to offer this magnificent book which tells the story of four-times Le Mans runner XKD 603 through its 19 'in period' races, plus other career highlights right up to the present day.

The most original long-nose D-type in existence, this works/Ecurie Ecosse car has been driven over the years by no less than seven Le Mans winning drivers, and itself came second at Le Mans in 1957.

Writes Clive Beecham, “My focus has been on a detailed, but not exhaustive history of the car, but specialising in particular on the stories of those that were there at the time, those privileged to experience her in her latter years and the truly great photographs captured by the likes of Klementaski, Goddard, Debraine, Cahier, Coltrin and Phil Hill, along with many of today’s great contemporary lensmen. 

“It is above all, a history espied ‘through the lens of time’, which I can only hope is delivered with a true sprinkling of both humour and soul.”

Assisting in telling the story include those few remaining who were associated with the car when it was being raced – former Ecurie Ecosse mechanic Ron Gaudion, and (perhaps even more amazingly) Hugh Langrishe, now 98. He worked the stop-watches in the Ecurie Ecosse pit at Le Mans 1957 when XKD 603 achieved its momentous second place. Period factory literature, including the car’s ‘works’ notebook, also play their part in vividly recording the car’s history.

Also highly interesting is the technical description of XKD 603 by David Brazell, who has looked after her for many years. He explains the car’s many original features and the evidence of how it evolved during its racing years.

The book is clearly a cost-no-object project. The production values are superlative and congratulations to Cathy Watson who worked closely with her former boss on the design – despite both being more accustomed to designing chocolate boxes! (Clive’s former business was a chocolate manufacturers). The book’s 340 'landscape' pages include not only Clive's heartfelt and often humorous prose, but also the 400-plus photographs he researched, many in colour and never seen in print before.

Finally, a personal footnote from Paul Skilleter: XKD 603 was the first D-type I ever drove. That was back in 1973 when during a test day at Silverstone, (Sir) Anthony Bamford’s star driver Willie Green installed me in 603’s cockpit. He then waved me away for half a dozen laps of what was then still the original Grand Prix circuit, little changed from 17 years earlier when Mike Hawthorn drove the car in the Daily Express International International Trophy race. It is an experience I have never forgotten, and ever afterwards I have felt a special affection for XKD 603.

Just 603 standard editions, and 100 signed slip-cased books, have been printed. We really do expect it to sell out rapidly so if you would like a copy, an early order is strongly advised.

XKD 603 Through the Lens of Time by Clive Beecham.
Printed in England on 200 gsm paper.
340 pages, hardback with jacket, 252 x 295mm.
Standard edition £95.00 plus P&P UK £9.95, £18.95 P&P Europe, £29.00 P&P Rest of World.
Signed and numbered slip-cased edition £145.00 - FREE P&P UK, plus £10.95 P&P Europe, £23.95 P&P Rest of World. SOLD OUT!

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