Tag Archives: XK120

Teen Designed Body – Jaguar XK120 Special

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Phil Hill’s brother in law, Los Angles based Architect Don Parkinson is known to have raced a Fraser Nash at least once in 1949 before buying an Jaguar XK120 for the 1950 season.

Don is known to have raced the XK120 on at least four occasions, winning at Carrell Speedway in February 1951 before hitting a tree and rolling the car during practice for an event at Pebble Beach in May 1951.

Jaguar XK120 Special, Sonoma Historics

Unharmed and undeterred by the mishap Don had the car rebuilt as a special enlisting International Motors Hollywood mechanic Jim Thrall to move the motor back 12 inches in the chassis and offset it by 4 inches.

Teenager Robert Cumberford is credited for the design of the specials body which was crafted from aluminium by Marvin Faw, under supervision of Phil Hill.

In October 1951 Don drove his Special to a class win at Reno first time out and then recorded an outright win at Palm Springs the following week.

Don raced the car on at least eight occasions until May 1953 never finishing below 5th place before apparently retiring from the sport.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photograph of the car seen at the Sonoma Historics meeting earlier this year.

Thanks for joining me on this “Teen Designed Body” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Shadow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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San Diego Pride – San Diego Jaguar Club 51st Concours d’Elegance

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At the end of July the San Diego Jaguar Club convened a pride of cars to celebrate it’s 51st Concours d’Elegance and Geoffrey Horton kindly sent us these photographs to share.

Jaguar Mark 2,SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

Above the slim bumpers on the Jaguar Mark 2 above tell us this is a post 1967 example, it could be a 240, or a 340, but is unlikely to be one of just 12 non standard 380s.
SS 100, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The SS Jaguar 100 was in production from 1936 to 1940, the 100 name derived from it’s capability to exceed 100 mph, though there would have been few places on British roads where one might have cared to put that stat to the test.

Jaguar 3 1/2 litre, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

This SS Jaguar 3 1/2 litre was built in the same time frame as the ‘100’ model above, unfortunately the British License plates attached to the back of both of these cars have long since been removed from the DVLA data base.

Jaguar, XK120, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The 120mph+ Jaguar XK120 like the Roadster above were in production from 1948 to 1954.

Jaguar XK140,SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The most famous, on this blog at least, Geoffrey Horton owned ’55 Jaguar XK140 above is soon to go up a notch in authenticity when Geoffrey fits a period correct otter switch to the carburetor that he has managed to locate with help from John James of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in Wales.

Tempero, XJ13, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

Finally a neat Jaguar XJ13 Replica, I believe this one may be one of a handful built by Tempero in the 1990’s going on nothing more concrete than the mirrors.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “San Diego Pride” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again for Maserati Monday tomorrow.

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Classic Jaguar Pride – Silverstone Classic

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THere was a large pride of Jagaurs at this years Silverstone classic which included,

Jaguar XK120, Christopher Scholey, Stirling Moss Trophy , Silverstone Classic

Christopher Scholey’s 1954 XK120 which he shared with Rob Newall to record a 23rd place in the Stirling Moss Trophy.

Jaguar XK140 FHC, Silverstone Classic

Enjoying a lap of the track in the Jaguar Parade was this 1956 XK140.

Jaguar E-Type, Ian Simmonds, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Mark Hales and Ian Simmonds drove the #36 E-Type to a 28th place finish in the Chopard International Trophy.

Jaguar XJC, Chris Scragg, Jet Super Touring Car Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Known in some circles as the fastest vinyl roof in the world the Jaguar XJC 12 made an unlikely competition car next to the manufacturers other V12 Coupé the XJS, but first time round British Leyland wanted to put the XJC 12 on the track and found it had severely underestimated the capabilities of BMW’s CSL batmobiles against which it was to be judged. Above Chris Scragg pedals his mighty 1976 example round to an 18th place finish in the Jet Super Touring Car Trophy.

Jaguar XJR14, Gareth Evans, Silverstone Classic

Built to the 1991 Formula One powered Group C regulations the Ford HB V8 powered Jaguar XJR14 was an instant success winning the 1991 World Sports Cars Manufacturers Championship with three outright wins and Teo Fabi the World Sports Cars Drivers Championship. Gareth Evans is seen lighting up the front brakes above on his way to 7th place in the Group C Endurance Race.

Jaguar XJ220, Justin Law, Silverstone Classic

Finally a lucky passenger is seen below accompanying Justin Law in his Martini striped 1993 Jaguar XJ220 during the ’90s GT Legends demonstration.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Jaguar Pride” edition of Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another pride of Jaguars at the Jaguar Club of North Americas 50th Anniversary Meeting in San Diego. Don’t forget to come back now !

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