VIN: the Jabbeke record setting Jaguar XK120 chassis 660986
History of chassis 660986
Chassis 660986 was completed in early 1952 as a right-hand drive XK120 with Open Two Seat bodywork. It was retained by Jaguar for competition and promotional use. A colour scheme of British Racing Green over tan was specified.
Soon after completion, 660986 was road registered MDU 524.
The car’s first competitive outing was on the 1952 Coupes des Alpes which took place from July 11th to 17th. It was allocated to Dutch rally driver, Maurice Gatsonides, and his British navigator, George Samworth.
The event kicked off at 9pm on Friday 11th when the cars left Marseilles and travelled the 981km to Cortina d’Ampezzo. The second stage comprised a 168km dash on mostly closed roads over the Dolomite Cup circuit. Stage three was an 802km route to Menaggio on Lake Como and stage four saw the competitors travel 495km to Aix-les-Bains. The fifth and final stage comprised a 709km run down to Cannes.
By the finish, only 23 of the 87 starters were still in the competition. Of these, Gatsonides and Samworth had racked up the most special stage wins (eleven).
However, they narrowly missed out on the general classification win. That honour fell to Alexander von Falkenhausen and his wife, Katharina, although there was some dispute about whether their BMW 328 had actually met the 30 car production requirement to compete.
Nevertheless, 660986 claimed a fine second overall and took victory in the over three-litre class.
The green XK120 next appeared for a high speed test run on the Ostend-Jabbeke motorway in Belgium during April 1953.
Jaguar had made a similar trip in May 1949 with a white left-hand drive OTS prototype (670002). On that occasion, test driver, Ron Sutton, had achieved a top speed of 132.6mph over the flying-start kilometre.
For this latest record attempt, 660986 was equipped with a full length undertray, the hood and sidescreens were removed, the windscreen was replaced with an aero screen and a rigid tonneau was fitted over the passenger side of the cockpit.
At the wheel was Norman Dewis who hit 141mph.
In September, Celso Fernandez broke Jaguar’s record, this time raising it to 151mph in a supercharged Pegaso Z-102 BS 2.8.
Jaguar decided to return and settle the matter once and for all.
660986 was further modified to improve its aerodynamics: the XK120 was equipped with a domed single seat roof canopy from a glider, the engine was tweaked, the tyres inflated to 50 PSI and streamlined headlight cowls were installed.
On this occasion, Norman Dewis exceeded everyone’s expectations and hit 172.4mph.
Soon afterwards, high speed runs on the Jabbeke motorway were banned.
The speed equipment installed for the record run was subsequently removed.
In 1954, chassis 660986 was loaned to the producers of Calling All Cars which starred Cardrew Robinson, John Fitzgerald and Spike Milligan.
660986 was then sold off. It continued to race at club level until 1957.
In the early 1960s, the car was acquired by a young Brian Redman who used it for his honeymoon.
Notable History
Jaguar Cars
11-17/07/1952 IND Rallye International des Alpes (M. Gatsonides / G. Samworth) 2nd oa, 1st 3.0+ class (#404)
01/04/1953 IND Ostend-Jabbeke Speed Record (N. Dewis) new world record 141mph
20/10/1953 IND Ostend-Jabbeke Speed Record (N. Dewis) new world record 172mph
Loaned to the producers of Calling All Cars
Sold later in 1954
Early 1960s sold to Brian Redman
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Jaguar Heritage Trust - https://www.jaguarheritage.com/
