• Year of manufacture 
    1951
  • Chassis number 
    679035
  • Lot number 
    372
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

1951 Jaguar XK120 3.8-Litre 'Alloy' Competition Roadster
Registration no. 846 YUY
Chassis no. 679035

The car offered here is a re-creation of the works XK120s built for the 1951 Le Mans 24-Hour Race. In 1951 William Lyons gave instructions for the creation of three very special XK120s to be raced at Le Mans. He was doubtful the completely new C-Type Jaguar would be ready in time, hence these as an insurance policy. The cars had lightweight alloy bodies and a subtly altered shape: outer sills and cut-down doors, one piece rear, cut-in bonnet, aero screens, etc. Numbered 'LT1', 'LT2' and 'LT3', they never raced at Le Mans as the C-Types were ready in time. Charles Hornburg, the US Jaguar importer for the USA's West Coast, spotted two of the cars at Browns Lane, bought them and shipped them to the USA where Phil Hill drove one in its first race in August 1951 to 3rd place overall and a class win.
Chassis number '679035' was manufactured on 15th August 1951 as a left-hand drive export model and dispatched to Hornburg in Beverly Hills, California. The car was re-imported from USA in 1991 and treated to a long-term restoration, which was only completed in 2012.
Original parts needed for the rebuild were painstakingly collected over many years. The new owner wanted to create a competitive racecar for the XK Challenge series and instructed historic cars and racing expert Chris Keith Lucas from CKL developments to construct a tool room copy of the alloy-bodied 'LT2' Le Mans cars. No expense was spared to build the perfect car, a process that would take the next two years. Chris Keith Lucas mandated body expert RS Panels to faithfully recreate the one-piece aluminum body, which was then mounted by CKL on the chassis.
The XK120 was then taken to Sigma Engineering, Peter Lander race engine specialist to fit a new race engine together with triple 2 inch
SU carburetors, high compression cylinder head, thick '3.8' steel block, steel crankshaft, steel race con-rods, forged pistons, lightened flywheel, triple-plate competition clutch, hydraulic release bearing, and anodized billet aluminum cylinders. Power is transmitted via a brand new Denis Welch Motorsport four-speed all-synchro 4.2 E-Type strait- cut close ratio gearbox.
The steering has been converted to Rack and Pinion. Alloy XK140 radiator and oil cooling radiator. A limited slip differential 3.77:1 ratio is fitted. Full Sparco / Corbeau – type modern safety racing seat for driver, trimmed to match passenger's competition XK120 seat to original pattern. Removable ballast up to min weight 1325 kg is fitted but can easily be removed to bring weight to around 1000 kg.
The latest upgrade was to install new öhlins dampers for competition. Full race harnesses, removable roll cage, ignition cut-off switch and
a fire extinguisher.'679035' was duly registered in the UK with an age-related number. Foam-filled alloy tank in original position, and connected to 'Aston'- type filler cap. The car is described as in generally excellent condition. Finished in British Racing Green with Suede Green leather interior and polished alloy, '846YUY' is offered with restoration invoices and race history file, current MoT, V5C registration document.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401