The first 242 Jaguar XK120s were constructed with alloy panels over a wooden frame and these early cars are now coveted by collectors due to their rarity and lightness being 51kg lighter than the later steel-bodied cars. Many of the alloy-bodied cars had racing careers and chalked up victories around the world.
Chassis numbers commenced from 670001 and according to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate on file, chassis 670129 was completed in LHD on the 10th February 1950. The new car was despatched to the US on the 21st March 1950 to Jaguar dealer Hornburg of California, Jaguar’s West Coast distributer. Delivered in Bronze with unusually, a Biscuit interior in pigskin it must have been a very special order.
A document on file from 2004 states the car was owned by a Mr. Robert Harold Hatch of El Sereno, Sacremento for thirty or forty years and Mr Hatch may have raced the car in period. The XK was later in the possession of noted US Jaguar collector Mark Miller who sold it to the trade to a Mr. John Sutton.
Mike Ball of UK-based Beacon Garage imported the car from Monterey into the UK in 2004 and sold it to the current owner as a restoration project. Beacon Garage were then tasked with its restoration with the intention of racing.
The engine was rebuilt using a C-Type Head and a Dynator alternator was fitted . These units have the appearance of an original dynamo but are in fact alternators. Meanwhile the body was restored with new panels by respected specialists Leaping Cats Ltd. of Coventry at a cost of £25,000. A removable panel was also created in the front wing to allow the car to run on triple weber carburettors. A removable FIA specification roll hoop was also fitted.
The restoration was completed in 2006 to period competition specification and gained HTP papers in 2008. The car has since competed in various historic competition events including Tour Auto and races at Silverstone and Oulton Park. The XK has also raced at Classic Le Mans three times.
A new full windscreen and new hood and frame were fitted in 2019 and with a fully trimmed interior the car can be used either on the road or in competition.
The car is UK registered and remains in excellent condition and is offered with a triple Weber carburettor conversion kit, tonneau cover, aeroscreens and racing mirror box. A history file is also present which contains correspondence and invoices that detail the restoration and race preparation work.
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