Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Collection of the Late Clem Smith OAM
• Sale Date:
  20 Aug 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  11
• Lot Description:
  1950 Jaguar XK120 3.4-litre OTS
  Chassis No: 660102. Engine No: W1186-7
• Provenance:
  Ex-Murray Rainey
• Notes:
  Following World War II, William Lyons and Jaguar Cars stole the London Motor Show in 1948 with the exquisite body shape of the Jaguar XK120. Designed as an elite sports car for road use and powered by a 3.4 DOHC straight-six motor, the XK120 name designated its top speed in miles per hour and was the fastest production car in the world at that time. Offering outstanding value for money, orders flourished, leading Britain’s crucial post-war export market to America. Simultaneously, the 1949-1952 era of the XK120 lightweights and pre-production aluminium bodied cars achieved major competition results. In 1954, the XK120 was succeeded by the XK140, but not before the fabulous XK120 had made solid inroads in to Australian motoring history. This Australian delivered XK120 Chassis number 660102 is accompanied by the official Jaguar Heritage Certificate verifying it was manufactured as a right-hand drive on the 26th May 1950 and despatched to Brylaw’s of Melbourne on 26th June 1950 in red livery with a biscuit and red interior. It was first registered to Mr L.F. Pratt of L.F. Pratt Motors of Geelong, Victoria in October 1950 and then bought by famed international racing driver and engineer Murray Rainey in 1954 who, according to The Jaguar XK120 in the Southern Hemisphere, by John Elmgreen and Terry McGrath “set about converting the car to a hard top...It is understood that Rainey then bought another XK120 (chassis 660839) and decided to upgrade this by fitting the coupe body from 660102 to the later chassis (it was said that the body from 660839 was also fitted to the 660102 chassis)”. The authenticity of this interesting history can be substantiated by way of the numbers and the fact that this car has the vents-in-wing sides which weren’t introduced until chassis number 660675, 573 cars after 660102. The car went through 7 subsequent ownerships eventually being purchased by Clem Smith in 1977 from Mr. Roland Short. The car was then said to have a body in good condition but to be mechanically poor. Clem’s personal notes indicate the car was bought in a fully dismantled state. It underwent a full body restoration over a 3-year period by Johnny Fielder, an XK120 and racing mechanic and painted by Clem Smith MCR at Prospect Main North Road. It is fitted with an electric fan on the radiator. Clem and his partner Heidi, along with great friend Michael Finnis also in his own red XK120, participated in the Jaguar XK120 Commemorative Run – a re-enactment of a post WW2 period wager. The 45th Anniversary group of some 30 XK120s did the same run at a comparatively leisurely pace taking 3 days to complete the same distance. This unique car has a most interesting provenance and is accompanied by a dossier of original ownership certificates from its first registration as well as 2 of Clem’s Historic Registration Logbooks. It is accompanied by a renewed fawn coloured fold down roof. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$100,000 - 120,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.