I have been fortunate enough to acquire one of the original Jaguar V12 Prototype V12 engines. Over the next few weeks I shall post details here of this engine - its history and construction. 

I believe that this is one of only four surviving engines from the original seven prototypes. However, I have yet to definitely confirm numbers etc. Current wisdom says that there are four engines remaining - two with Jaguar in Coventry (one of which is fitted to their restored XJ13), one in a Wingfield XJ13 replica originally built for Walter Hill in the US, and my engine.

I have yet to determine the precise history of my engine - I feel a visit to the Jaguar-Daimler Archive coming on!

For now, here are some pictures of the engine "as found" - note the provision for a Mark 1 Lucas metering/distribution fuel injection unit (driven by the small cam shown adjacent to one of the distributors). I am also led to understand that, although it has two 6-cylinder distributors, these were not originally fitted to this engine (note the different caps). It is possible that a 12-cylinder distributor originally took the place of the current "centre" 6-cylinder distributor. I have yet to examine the cam drive arrangement but expect to find either all-chain or a combination of chain (from the crank) and gears (driving the individual cams from this single chain). I will post a photographic record as the examination continues.