Description
This is lot number 174 in the Bonhams Goodwood Revival Auction on September 7th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Successful competition Jaguar, built and maintained by marque specialists CKL
Motor Racing Legends, Algarve Classic Festival, 1st in Class
Finished 2nd at Vredestein Jaguar XK races - Brands Hatch Centenary Aston Martin 2013
Qualified ahead of many Jaguar E-types at sixties endurance race Dix Mille Tours organized by Peter Auto 2014
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 were 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.
This car was newly built up using the identity from a donor car (chassis number 'S681346') that had been brought back from the USA in 2008. The XK was treated to a long-term build, which was completed in 2012. Original parts needed for the rebuild were painstakingly collected over many years. The new owner wanted to create a competitive race car for the XK Challenge series and instructed renowned specialist Chris Keith Lucas (CKL Developments) to construct a tool-room copy of the alloy-bodied 'LT' Le Mans cars. No expense was spared to build the perfect car, a process that would take the next two years and cost of over £400, 000. Chris Keith Lucas commissioned body experts RS Panels to faithfully recreate the one-piece aluminium body, which CKL then mounted on a brand new chassis. It is understood this new chassis was subsequently stamped with identity S681346.
The XK120 was then taken to Sigma Engineering's race engine specialist Peter Lander to have a newly built race engine fitted. The engine incorporates triple 2" SU carburettors, 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 aluminium cylinders. Power is transmitted via a Denis Welch Motorsport four-speed all-synchromesh 4. 2 E-Type straight-cut close-ratio gearbox. The steering has been converted to rack-and-pinion. Other notable features include an alloy XK140 radiator and oil cooling radiator; limited-slip differential (3. 77:1 ratio); full race harnesses; removable roll cage; ignition cut-off switch; fire extinguisher; foam-filled alloy fuel tank in original position; 'Aston'- type filler cap; and a full Sparco/ Corbeau-type modern safety racing driver's seat, trimmed to original pattern to match the passenger's XK120 competition seat. The latest upgrade was to install new Öhlins suspension dampers for competition use.
Finished in British Racing Green with suede green leather interior and polished alloy trim, this racing car is offered with restoration invoices, race history file, and a V5C registration document for chassis number S681346 (potential buyers should check validity of registration in their own jurisdiction). The remains of the donor car used for the build are included in the sale, and should be collected from CKL post auction.
