VIN: the works prototype Jaguar XK120 chassis 670001
History of chassis 670001
Chassis 670001 started life as the first left-hand drive XK120.
Originally painted Bronze with a two-tone Biscuit and Red interior, it was one of three early XK120s that appeared at Silverstone during August 1949 for what was the model’s competition debut.
In anticipation of its outing at Silverstone, 670001 was repainted red and converted to right hand drive. The conversion was a straightforward process carried out to stop the right-hand rear wheel lifting on right-hand turns.
The repaint was because Jaguar founder, William Lyons, wanted his three XK120s to appear in patriotic red, white and blue colours.
670001 was entered for Peter Walker to drive. The other two XK120s were allocated to Prince Bira (chassis 660001, the original right-hand drive prototype) and Leslie Johnson (chassis 670002, the Jabbeke record car). Like 670001, chassis 670002 was converted to right-hand drive for the race.
XK120s originally built in left-hand drive used a ‘67’ VIN prefix while right-hand drive examples used a ‘66’ prefix.
William Lyons had not anticipated campaigning XK120s at such an early stage. However, when the British Racing Drivers’ Club announced a one-hour Production Car Race in support of the first Silverstone International Trophy for Grand Prix cars, Lyons felt compelled to have a trio of his exciting new XK120s attend.
Chief opposition would come from Frazer Nash, Allard and Healey.
Despite an early collision with a spinning Jowett Javelin, Leslie Johnson drove the white Jabbeke record car to victory. He finished 5.6 seconds ahead of Walker who placed second in 670001. Third spot went to the Frazer Nash High Speed of Norman Culpan (the only other driver to finish on the lead lap).
Bira’s Jaguar span out of the race when a tyre blew.
On September 24th, the three refreshed XK120s made a celebratory ascent of the Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb.
Buoyed by this early success, William Lyons agreed to send 670001 to the USA for a race around the streets of Florida’s Palm Beach Shores on January 3rd 1950.
Organised by Miles Collier on behalf of the fledgling Sports Car Club of America, last minute problems meant the event had to be relocated to a new 2.1-mile circuit on nearby Singer Island.
The 35 car field would include another four XK120s in addition to MGs, Healeys, Allards, a Ferrari 166 Inter and some extraordinary specials to include Briggs Cunningham’s Cadillac-powered Healey and George Huntoon’s Ford-Duesenberg.
By lap twelve of the 50 lap race, Johnson was up to second. However, the tight and twisty circuit meant his brakes soon began to fade which allowed Cunningham’s Healey Special and George Rand’s Ferrari to get through. Victory went to the Ford-Duesenberg Special of George Huntoon.
Johnson finished fourth overall and third in class. He collected a trophy for best performance by a British car and another for best production car (depicted above).
670001 was subsequently sold to Jack Rutherford who had driven a Healey Silverstone in the Palm Beach race. Rutherford attended the SCCA race at Bridgehampton in June (where he placed eighth overall) but 670001 was soon retired from active duty.
The car subsequently went through the hands of several East Coast owners and was later repainted its original shade of Bronze.
Notable History
Left-hand drive
Bronze with Biscuit & Red interior
Converted to right-hand drive for competition use and re-painted red
20/08/1949 IND Silverstone International One Hour Production Car Race (P. Walker) 2nd oa, 2nd 2.5+ class (#8)
24/09/1949 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb celebratory appearance
15/12/1949 dispatched to the USA
03/01/1950 IND Palm Beach, Singer Island (L. Johnson) 4th oa, 3rd C class (#45)
Sold Jack Rutherford
10/06/1950 IND Bridgehampton (J. Rutherford) 8th oa (#27)
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Jaguar - https://www.jaguar.com
