1953 Jaguar XK120/150 Fixed Head Coupe Competition Car

Lot details
Registration No: VPK 2
Chassis No: 669043
Mot Expiry: Oct 2015

Part of Britain's illustrious special building heritage, 'VPK 2' began life as a standard XK120 Fixed Head Coupe; albeit 1 of just 195 right-hand drive examples to emerge from Browns Lane. Manufactured in July 1953 and originally finished in Black with Red upholstery, it was sold new to P.J. Wilkinson of Accra, Gold Coast (now Ghana). Repatriated a year or so later, the Jaguar acquired its current registration number on 10th September 1954 and is rumoured to have passed through the hands of Le Mans-winner Duncan Hamilton. Certainly, the number plate 'VPK 2' was issued by Surrey County Council, while its dashboard proudly sports a supplier's plaque for: 'Duncan Hamilton & Co, 33 High Road, Byfleet, Surrey'. Accompanying email correspondence reveals that Tom Langley purchased the Fixed Head Coupe for £120 during 1965 whilst still a student. Spun a tale by the previous keeper concerning Ian Appleyard (of 'NUB 120' fame) and rally usage in Spain, he nevertheless recalls it as 'a pretty good motor' aside from 'a smoky exhaust, piston slap, the usual things'. Entrusted to Brummie garagiste / amateur racer John Bright for an engine transplant (from a MKVII) and sundry fibreglass repairs, the Jaguar emerged fit enough to transport Mr Langley 'all over the UK' before being sold to a USAF serviceman in 1970. Discovered by the vendor close to an East Anglian USAF base some six years later, 'VPK 2' was in a very sorry state. Interestingly, the green logbook on file which he obtained thereafter still gives the car's colour as 'Black'. Though, its engine number is recorded as 'LC2002-8' which suggests a second powerplant swap. Writing in Jaguar Driver magazine (Issue No. 452, March 1998), the seller recalled acquiring an equally tired XK150 Fixed Head Coupe plus another chassis 'found in a local hedge which was substantially better' at around the same time. Intending to go racing with the AMOC, he commissioned Trident engineer John Brightey to transform this hotchpotch of XK components into a competition car.

Although, the chassis which now underpins 'VPK 2' retains its original XK120 identity for road registration purposes it is effectively a replacement XK150 assembly. The front suspension comprises competition torsion bars, bronze bushes and a rose-jointed anti-roll bar, while the rear set-up features a parallel bar and A-frame linkage tempered by coil-over shock absorbers and another rose-jointed anti-roll bar. Vestigial single-leaf springs have been left in place but do little by comparison to retain the XK150 Powr-Lok rear axle. Sourced from a MKIX (front) and MKII (rear), the four-wheel disc brakes benefit from 'on the pedal' servo-assistance, while the modified handbrake mechanism includes a warning light. The rack and pinion steering is solid mounted and the fully adjustable steering column carries stalks for the two-speed wipers, indicators and hazard/driving lights. The steering wheel is a D-Type style item and the bespoke lightweight dashboard plays host to an impressive array of gauges and warning lights. The 3.8-litre engine was prepared by David Butcher and boasts a full-flow Hayward & Scott stainless steel exhaust, oil cooler, straight-port cylinder head, Kenlowe fan, remote header tank, high-lift camshafts, high compression pistons and triple Weber DCOE 45 carburettors. The E-type 4.2 four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox is allied to an AP Racing diaphragm clutch. The centre section of the original XK120 Fixed Head Coupe was salvaged but the doors and rear wings are thin-gauge aluminium facsimiles. The louvered bonnet and boot lid are 'quick release' items and the front wings are non-standard too. A built-in rollcage and Corbeau seats with full harnesses grace the interior. Macrolan windows (side/rear) and an 'Explosafe' alloy fuel tank help keep weight down to 22cwt.

Some twelve years in the making, the reincarnated 'VPK 2' successfully completed the 1988 and 1989 'Claret & Classic' Rallies from Bordeaux to Bristol. The latter season also saw it complete another Continental Rally and join the Jaguar Drivers' Club team in the 'Top Gear Team Heritage' race series with outings at Donington, Mallory Park, Snetterton and Pembery. Fully roadworthy, the much-modified Jaguar has covered some 9,000 miles since completion. Although not raced for some time it has been MOT'd and taxed most years with more recent expenditure including a carburettor overhaul and front suspension refurbishment. Starting readily upon inspection and sounding decidedly purposeful, this appealing XK Special is said to possess 'the most superb road holding' and to be 'great fun to drive'. Offered for sale with green logbook, V5C, current MOT certificate, assorted build/restoration photos and sundry paperwork.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor is offering a selection of spares for this vehicle free of charge to the successful purchaser, which must be collected from him within four weeks of the auction. These include front and rear brake pads; steering column mounted lighting and wiper controls; windscreen wiper rack; Mountney leather covered steering wheel; track rod ends; rack bushes; gaskets; clutch slave cylinder; front wheel bearings; hoses and distributor cap, points, etc.