This exclusive 1950s Jaguar could fetch close to €7 million.

There are numerous factors that can make a car worth millions. The long list includes a prestigious manufacturer, a model relevant to the industry, limited availability, unique features, and, occasionally, a famous past owner, among other factors. The Jaguar D-Type featured in this article meets some of the criteria reviewed, making it worth a fortune.

To begin with, it's worth remembering that the D-Type is a legend in the world of motorsports. Manufactured by the British brand between 1954 and 1957, it was born with the aim of imposing its dominance in one of the world's most demanding endurance races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which it won three consecutive years.

The vehicle was based on the previous C-Type and used a 3.4-liter XK straight-six engine that could develop up to 316 hp. Because it was a racing car, the D-Type was not widely produced. In its four years on the market, Jaguar only built 71 units, mostly for private use.

Furthermore, one of the reasons that makes this model even more exclusive is that it's one of the few units never used in competition. Although it was built specifically for this purpose, the D-Type you can see in the photographs never competed in any races. The car was produced in 1956, making it one of the last of its kind to roll off the assembly lines.

The following year, it was sold to its first owner, who, rather than taking it to the track, adapted it to an XKSS specification. This meant that several parts were removed and others were added, such as the passenger door and a full-width windshield. The D-Type remained with its original owner until 1963, when it was sold to racing driver James Dawnay.

Later, it passed into the hands of Australian Formula 1 driver Paul Hawkins. Until then, the car remained in the same condition as the first owner had left it. However, the next owner, who took possession of the D-Type in 1970, decided to remove the XKSS modifications and return it to its original form.

This is how the car came to its current owner, who has owned it since 1994 and has decided to auction it off. The sale will take place next November in Zurich, Switzerland, through auction specialists Broad Arrow. The car has recently been updated by Graber Sportgarage.

In addition, the vehicle comes with a wealth of documentation, such as the 1992 FIA Historic Identity Form and the 2009 FIA Passport.

All of this puts this Jaguar in a high-value category, as it's expected to fetch around €7 million at auction. If you're interested in taking a closer look at a similar model, you can do so in the accompanying video.