Jaguar XK120 Roadster, 1951
Jaguar XK XK120
Jaguar XK XK120•
•15 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: 671751
- Exterior: Green
- Interior: Green
- Body: Roadster
- Approximately 284 miles since restoration
- One-piece aluminum body
- 15 years invested in restoration by marque experts such as John Wood, Aubrey Finburgh and Steve Grimsley
- Converted to right hand drive by noted restorer Steve Grimsley
- 3.4/210 HP DOHC Inline 6-cylinder engine
- Engine no. G5393-8
- Sand-cast twin SU carburetors
- Polished aluminum components
- 4-speed transmission
- Independent front suspension with upper and lower wishbones
- Torsion bars, hydraulic dampers
- Live rear axle
- Lockheed 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
- Front brake cooling ducts
- British Racing Green with Sage Green suede interior
- Rebuilt original instruments
- Brookland windscreens installed
- 4-spoke wood steering wheel
- Painted wire wheels with spinners
- Lucas driving lights and battery cut-off
- Serviced by Classic Showcase
This is a car that offers the intriguing prospect of answering one of the what-ifs of motoring racing history. A C-type Jaguar won the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour race—that’s a matter of record—but what if the C-types had not been ready in time? That’s what Jaguar boss William Lyons feared, and, as insurance, he prepared a trio of alloy-bodied XK120s for the race. In the event LT1, LT2 and LT3, as they were registered, didn’t race, the C-types were ready for their date with destiny. LT2 and LT3 were exported to the U.S., where Phil Hill claimed a class win and third overall the first time out in August 1951.
LT1 also eventually went to North America and raced extensively; today it resides in a private collection. As for this car, its chassis number identifies it as a 1951 left-hand drive export model that was originally dispatched to U.S. importer Charles Hornburg, the very man who had brought over the two LT cars months before. Perhaps that coincidence prompted its 1989 return to the UK and its lengthy restoration into a faithful recreation of the LT Le Mans cars by leading UK specialists.
Original parts were sourced over 15 years; Aubrey Finburgh faithfully recreated the one-piece alloy body, which was mounted on a tubular-steel birdcage frame, and it was fitted with a C-type-specification engine featuring sand-cast SU carburetors. The lengthy process, which included conversion to right-hand drive—as per the LT cars—included an overhaul of the running gear, rewiring, rebuilding the original instruments and refurbishment and refinishing by XK concours-winning restorer Steve Grimsley of Phoenix Car Restoration.
Since completion in 2011, this labor of love and passion has covered approximately 284 miles and now offers a new owner the opportunity to explore the potential of the LT Le Mans Jaguars.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/381087/1951-jaguar-xk120-roadster/
