Ian Callum on driving the Jaguar D-Type: “unforgettable”

Despite his wide experience, Callum hadn’t driven a D before. “The first thing to hit me was a moment of nostalgia – growing up in Scotland I kept hearing about these cars and seeing it was like meeting an old film star who hasn’t aged. It’s a real privilege. I never take such things for granted despite the opportunities I have through work.”

As a trial for his planned Mille Miglia run Ian first had a ride. “It’s cramped in that little hole and enormously hot,” he said as he extricated himself. “Made me nervous about doing 500 miles in there!” Then it was time to change seats. Time to listen to David Brazell’s briefing, to feel the pedals, clack the short lever through trial changes, hear the trusting owner telling him to enjoy it. Time to prod the little Lucas button that unleashes that predator bark only a racing six can deliver.

After an experience like this you don’t leap out and walk away. And Callum doesn’t. Engine cut, goggles go up, he pats the wheel, inhales the smells of oil and brake dust and hot metal, and grins. “Fabulous!”

Dusting himself down he reflects. “A racing car on the road has its challenges, but I settled in quite quickly. You have to get into the right state of mind; recalibrate your senses, give yourself more space on the road. I expected it to be harder – the fact that it’s well sorted made it easier. The ride was almost civilised and the clutch wasn’t fierce. But the torque – bloody instant! I loved that engine. I love hearing something so mechanical. You don’t know the Jag marque until you’ve experience those sensations – it’s to do with the racing heritage, it tells you you’re in touch with a mechanical entity.”

Callum stepped into the D from his bright red E-type coupé. A contrast in physicality?

“I found the big wheel a bit bizarre and the thin rim takes getting used to. The box felt good; you’re aware of the revs without looking at the tach. Going down the gears was tricky – I had to remind myself to double-declutch and I crunched the gears a couple of times but once you find the rhythm it flows through the gears. The steering was good, not heavy, and the stability at speed was impressive; I don’t know if the fin really helps but there was no wander. You could keep it in a straight line without effort – although 175mph on the Mulsanne might demand a fair bit of your attention.”

What about slowing down? “Once you learn to temper the pedal it will stop as you want,” Callum reckons, then goes on, “the remarkable thing was how drivable it was – you could tackle corners like in a modern car. I only drove it in tune with my ability; this isn’t about speed, it’s about enjoyment. Being a designer I have a peripheral view of things; I need to know what’s behind that bulkhead, and when you’re in this thing you know that XK engine is there! You’re aware of all the mechanical elements that make it alive.

And if he had to select a finest moment from the experience?

“We went on some wonderful country roads, but actually the outside lane of the M1 was memorable. Maybe because that was the closest to the Le Mans experience. The windrush was amazing – and the stares we got!”