Vehicle Description
1951 XK120 Competition Roadster
This Jaguar is an early XK120 roadster with an extensive
competition history including both racing and international
rallying.
Completed in February 1951 AJK48 was despatched to Henlys, and then
sold to Mrs Samson via Willetts Ltd of Eastbourne. The details of
Mrs Samson's ownership remain unclear but it was to be brief and by
early 1952 the car had passed to London businessman Mark Levy. It
was Levy who was to begin AJK48's varied competition career with an
entry into the BARC Eastbourne Rally held on 6th July, a drive he
shared with friend and fellow competitor Cyril Wick, who achieved
the fastest time in the Rally's hill climb stage. Their entry into
this event was in effect a warm up for the more challenging Evian
Mont Blanc Rally that took place later that month on the continent
and again saw both Levy and Wick piloting AJK48. While perhaps not
as well-known as the Alpine Trial, the Evian Mont Blanc Rally was
regarded by many contemporary drivers and journalists as being at
least as technically challenging as the more famous event and
possibly more so. Wick and Levy's earlier preparations clearly paid
off as they secured fastest times on many stages including the
famous Colombier Hill Climb, where Wick set a new record. Indeed,
as a contemporary Autosport report attests, they were doing so well
that they seemed set for outright victory when alas their brakes
failed in the closing hours - sadly not an uncommon occurrence
amongst XKs at that time.
Undaunted by this disappointment Wick was back in action in August,
both at Prescott and at Shelsley Walsh where he secured the second
fastest time of the day. The next outing for AJK was at the
Brighton Speed Trials on September 6th at the hands of Levy who
also entered the car at Tarrant Rushton for the speed trials in
October. Following a break over the winter AJK was again back in
action in 1953 with appearances at Goodwood in March and May of
that year, although in the former it was driven by Mark Conrad, who
achieved a creditable 3rd place in one event. Following the 53
season Levy decided to focus more on rallying than racing and once
again shared a drive with Wick, this time driving a Jaguar MkVII on
the Monte Carlo Rally. Consequently the next significant outing for
AJK was of a rather different nature and took place in 1957 when it
featured in the film "The Truth About Women". By this time the car
had been repainted red, as is evident from the film's opening
scenes. The car was still in Levy's name at this point and
continued in his ownership until at least 1969. By 1977, however,
the car had been repainted white and belonged to a property
developer from Sussex and then in 1979 it was acquired by its next
long-term owner a London based surgeon who retained the car for
over 35 years.
With little recent use this important XK120 will shortly be
undergoing a full JD Classics chassis off restoration and will be
returned to its original colour combination of Black with Biscuit
and Red interior. With a well-documented and very varied
competition history it offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire a
highly eligible competition XK120. Coming soon, more information to
follow.
Partial competition history
1952
July
Evian Mont Blanc
Fastest time of day, new record on Colombier Hill Climb stage
Fastest time of day, new record on Deux Savoies St Felix stage
Overall leader until closing hours
�
6th July
BARC Eastbourne Rally
Fastest time of day on Firle Hill Climb,
Finished
�
10th August
Prescott Hill Climb
�
30th August
Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb
2nd Fastest time of day
�
6th September
Brighton Speed Trials
�
October
750 MC Speed Trials Tarrant Rushton
�
1953
21st March
Goodwood BARC Members
3rd
�
3rd May
Goodwood BARC Members
