2021-11-07 14:52:02 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 9/21 but withdrawn
www.bonhams.com/auctions/27000/lot/286/

Auction description:
Lot 286
1954 Jaguar XK120 3.8-Litre 'Alloy LT' Competition Roadster
Registration no. 228 XVR Chassis no. S681346
£ 180,000 - 220,000
US$ 240,000 - 300,000
Withdrawn
Goodwood Revival
Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia 18 Sep 2021, 13:00 BST Chichester, Goodwood

* Successful competition Jaguar built and maintained by Marque specialists CKL
* Motor Racing Legends, Algrave Classic Festival 201, 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 as 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.

Chassis number S681346 was manufactured on 5th February 1954 as a left-hand drive export model and dispatched to Hornburg in Beverly Hills, California. The car was re-imported from the USA in 2008 and treated to a long-term restoration, 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 historic cars and racing expert Chris Keith Lucas from 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 with a build cost of over £400,000. Chris Keith Lucas mandated body expert RS Panels to faithfully recreate the one-piece aluminium body, which was then mounted by CKL on the chassis.

The XK120 was then taken to Sigma Engineering, Peter Lander race engine specialist to fit a newly built race engine (numbered 7B58197-8) together with triple 2 inch 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-synchro 4.2 E-Type straight-cut close ratio gearbox. The steering has been converted to Rack and Pinion. Alloy XK140 radiator and oil cooling radiator. A limited slip differential 3.77:1 ratio is fitted. Full Sparco / Corbeau – type modern safety racing seat for driver, trimmed to match passenger's competition XK120 seat to original pattern. Removable ballast up to min weight 1,325 kg is fitted but can easily be removed to bring weight to around 1,000 kg. The latest upgrade was to install new öhlins dampers for competition. Full race harnesses, removable roll cage, ignition cut-off switch, fire extinguisher, foam-filled alloy tank in original position, and connected to 'Aston'- type filler cap.

S681346 has been duly registered in the UK with an age-related number in July this year. The car is described as in generally very good condition. Finished in British Racing Green with Suede Green leather interior and polished alloy, '228 XVR' is offered with restoration invoices and race history file, current MoT, V5C registration document.