VIN: the Clark Gable Jaguar XK120 chassis 672282
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History of chassis 672282
Chassis 672282 was one of three Jaguar XK120s owned by American actor, Clark Gable.
Gable’s first example, chassis 670003, was just the third left-hand drive XK120 built; having seen photographs of the new model on display at the 1948 London Motor Show, he had been desperate to own one at the earliest opportunity.
Since taking his first lead role for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1931, Clark Gable had established himself as arguably the biggest star in Hollywood.
Despite this status, Gable joined the US Army Air Forces in World War 2 and flew five combat missions between May and September of 1943 for which he was awarded both the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.
After his discharge from service, Gable returned to his ranch in Encino, California, and resumed his acting career.
Prior to the war, Gable had owned various high end motor cars to include a 1932 Packard Twin Six 905 Coupe Roadster, a customised 1935 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Coupe and a 1938 Packard Eight Convertible Victoria.
For six months between 1935 and 1936, he had also been loaned one of the two short wheelbase Duesenberg SSJs. The other was sold to his friend and fellow actor, Gary Cooper.
Soon after taking delivery of chassis 670003, Gable had the car repainted grey from its original Suede Green. He opted for a similar colour scheme for chassis 672282 which was configured in Battleship Grey with Red upholstery. Gable also specified wire wheels, a leather bonnet retaining strap, hood vents and a custom luggage rack.
The left-hand drive car was completed in May 1952 and dispatched on June 11th. It was registered MDU 420 and delivered to Gable on the set of Never Let Me Go in Cornwall.
Clark Gable used chassis 672282 extensively around Europe for the next 18 months. He then had it exported to the US towards the end of 1953 and that December the car was sold to California Motors who in February 1954 passed it on to Irving Robbins Jr. to replace his earlier XK120 (chassis 670984).
In later years, chassis 672282 found its way to South Africa before it returned to Europe in 1982 and was later restored.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Jaguar Heritage Trust - https://www.jaguarheritage.com/
