1951 Jaguar XK120 in Maldon, Essex,

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