Kenny May’s 1965 Proteus Jaguar C Type  

By Charlie Self  

The exhaust burble is surprisingly quiet for a race car, but this Proteus version of the Jaguar C racing car is gentlemanly. The original C Jags, built in the early 1950s, were race cars, pure and simple, first as factory works cars and spreading to a few teams.

Kenny May is Director of Events at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), a job that doesn’t allow him to run his car as often as he likes – he’s usually working during race weekends. Currently, mileage on his C Jag is 4,800, an addition of only 800 miles since he bought it nine years ago.

Kenny traded his 1965 Jaguar with a British friend, who got a containerized 1965 E Jag in trade. Kenny’s Proteus C Jag landed in Baltimore in 1998.

Only 48 to 54 hand-built Jaguar C types rolled out of the factory.  About 75 Proteus built replicas were built to satisfy enthusiasts’ desires. Proteus built about 75 replicas. Kenny’s rolled onto the track a dozen years after the ’53 original. The car has right-hand steering with a single, near weightless door on the driver’s side. The car is completely original, showing some gravel dings below the belt line, with an otherwise near-faultless, and original Ecurie Ecosse blue paint. Grey leather upholstery covers the two lightweight bucket seats. Kenny’s C type turns out 220 horsepower from its 3.8 double overhead cam, six-cylinder liter engine. Kenny explained that the car was built for club racing, but was put in street trim before it was shipped to the U.S. There is no true windshield, but a competition windscreen. The car is also lacking a heater, radio, windshield wipers and any kind of top. A tonneau cover keeps the interior dry, but driving in the rain means assures you’ll get wet.

The car has a superb engine with three Webber carburetors and a four-speed manual transmission, all set inside a tubular space frame chassis. The brakes are modified Girling four wheel discs that stop you right now from almost any speed. The C Jag and its Proteus replica were built to fulfill sports car lovers’ dreams.

Kenny was born and raised in London, but moved to the U.S. about 34 years ago, where he was a principal in a loss analyzing agency. When he sold out and retired a few years ago, he found himself getting very edgy with too much time on his hands, so he looked around for a job. He found a perfect fit as Events Director at VIR.  Kenny’s interest in cars is solid and lifelong, revealed today by the C type, plus an original 1953 XK120 Jag and a Ferrari sitting in his three-car garage. The family cars are relegated to the outside.

The Ferrari is a 308 Quatrovalve GTSI from 1983 that he has owned for about 15 years. It is in as lovely condition as the Proteus Jag. Both cars spend their lives in a heated garage, with special car covers protecting them from airborne dust and debris, even indoors.

Kenny has helped put together a big year of events at VIR, one in which he might be able to drive his Proteus C Jaguar in an event or two himself.  

To check out new and old race cars, motorcycles, and other action, visit Virginia International Raceway online at www.vir.com. See the track layout and learn about local accommodations, events and prices. VIR is an unusual track, offering its own country club, as well as general admission. Two track layouts may be run simultaneously if desired.