VIN: the Leslie Johnson Jaguar XK120 Semi-Works chassis 660040
History of chassis 660040
Chassis 660040 was the first of seven factory-supported semi-works XK120s built to test the model in a variety of competitive formats during the 1950 season. These cars came with an array of enhancements over the standard specification to include a tuned engine and uprated suspension.
660040 was configured in Old English White with a Red interior and registered JWK 651 in March 1950. It was supplied to British privateer, Leslie Johnson in London.
Following the death of his cabinet-maker father, the teenage Johnson created a successful furniture manufacturing business that funded his hobby of motor racing.
Having campaigned a Frazer Nash prior to the onset of World Wat 2, Johnson returned with a BMW 328 and Talbot-Lago T150C in 1946.
In late 1947, Johnson acquired English Racing Automobiles (ERA). He went on to race the new E-type GP2 which proved fast but fragile.
During 1948 and 1949, Johnson was contracted to drive for Aston Martin and won the Spa 24 Hours.
In 1949 he loaned his BMW 328 to close friend, Jaguar founder William Lyons, so the car could be mechanically assessed during the XK120’s design stage.
Later in 1949, Johnson continued his association with Jaguar; he won that year’s Silverstone International Trophy 1 Hour Production Car Race (the XK120’s maiden event) and in early 1950 headed out to Miami to drive for the company in a 50 lap road race around Palm Beach (where he finished fourth).
Having demonstrated considerable prowess behind the wheel of the XK120, Johnson was the first name on Jaguar’s list when it came to allocating their semi-works XK120s.
Three of the specially prepared XK120s were entered by Jaguar Cars for the 1950 Mille Miglia which took place over April 23rd and 24th. Despite the atrocious weather, Johnson’s run proved fairly uneventful. However, when the windscreen wiper fuse blew he had to use his co-driver’s seat cushion in order to see over the windscreen. Johnson and John Lea eventually came home in fifth overall (50 minutes behind the winning Ferrari 195 Sport).
The next outing for chassis 660040 was at the Le Mans 24 Hours where Johnson was co-driven by Bert Hadley.
By the end of the first hour, the Jaguar was sixth. Following the retirement of some fast Ferraris and a very quick Allard, the XK120 had moved into third at half distance (behind the Talbot-Lagos entered by Louis Rosier and Pierre Meyrat).
Johnson and Hadley looked set for a fine podium finish until clutch failure forced them into retirement with little more than three hours to go; during the race, the gearbox had been used to help slow the car in order to save the brakes. Nevertheless, it was this performance that convinced Jaguar to produce the XKC (C-type) for 1951.
Chassis 660040 was raced on two further occasions during 1950.
At the Silverstone International Trophy 1 Hour Production Car Race (August 26th), Johnson got a slow start but was coming through the field until he span on oil dumped from Peter Whitehead’s sister car. Having righted the XK120, he eventually crossed the line eighth.
At the wet Dundrod Tourist Trophy three weeks later (September 16th), Johnson led off the line but was quickly overtaken by eventual winner Stirling Moss (driving Tommy Wisdom’s car). Johnson held second for the first two hours but then began to drop down the field and ultimately finished seventh.
In October, Johnson and Moss headed to Montlhery where chassis 660040 was used for a series of record attempts. Over the course of 24 hours they travelled 2580 miles at an average speed of 107.36mph (including stops for fuel and tyres). This was the first time a production car had average over 100mph for 24 hours.
Leslie Johnson returned to Montlhery in March 1951, by which time 660040 was developing a few more horsepower. This time driving solo, he set a new one hour record of 131.83mph.
The white Jaguar made one other appearance in 1951; as they had done the previous year, Johnson and John Lea contested the Mille Miglia, but on this occasion the brakes gave out and they failed to finish.
Chassis 660040’s final competitive outing came on the 1952 RAC Rally of Great Britain (March 31st to April 5th). Navigated by Leslie Lefevre, Johnson won the Eppynt Test and recorded an array of top three stage finishes despite temporarily losing third and fourth gears.
Unfortunately, he was penalised 40 seconds at the Scarborough control for having no wheel spats (a matter not raised during initial scrutineering at Hastings). This meant his possible third place finish in the Class 1 category became 16th.
Later that year, 660040 was sold to Leslie Lefevre who had the interior re-upholstered by Jaguar with pigskin hide.
Lefevre retained the car until 1964, since which time it has gone through the hands of several private owners.
Notable History
Old English White
Registered JWK 651
Supplied to Leslie Johnson, London
23/04/1950 IND Mille Miglia (L. Johnson / J. Lea) 5th oa, 4th S2.0+ class (#735)
25/06/1950 IND Le Mans 24 Hours (L. Johnson / B. Hadley) DNF (#17)
26/08/1950 IND Silverstone International 1 Hour Production Car Race (L. Johnson) 8th oa, 5th S3.0+ class (#26)
16/09/1950 IND Dundrod Tourist Trophy (L. Johnson) 7th oa, 3rd S3.0+ class (#6)
10/1950 IND Montlhery Speed Records (L. Johnson / S. Moss) new 24 Hour record at 107.36mph
03/1951 IND Montlhery Speed Records (L. Johnson) new 1 Hour record at 131,83mph
29/04/1951 IND Mille Miglia (L. Johnson / J. Lea) DNF (#429)
31/03-05/04/1952 IND RAC Rally of Great Britain (L. Johnson / L. Lefevre) 16th Class 1 (#88)
1952 sold to Leslie Lefevre
1964 sold to Michael Foley
1966 fitted with a 3.8-litre engine, wire wheels, disc brakes and Koni shocks
1968 sold to David Wilson
1969 sold to John Panton
1978 sold to Michael Rowan
Retained until the late 1990s and subsequently re-united with its original parts and restored
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
