FOR SALE VIA PUBLIC AUCTION
Sunday 27 June, 2.30pm

ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
All lots are subject to a buyer’s premium of 15%+GST

Further info available on our website.

The foundations of Jaguar began when a young William Lyons in 1922 formed a small company building motorcycle sidecars and named it Swallow Sidecars. Not long after, he designed more stylish bodywork for motor cars, such as those made by the Standard Motor Company, and by 1931 the company’s first car, the S.S.1 was on the road. The arrangement with Standard allowed them to concentrate on coachwork and S.S. became known for rakish bodies suggesting sophistication, style and high performance. In 1935, the company made their own engine and soon its first sports car, the SS100 Jaguar appeared. Early saloon cars of the late 40s had pre-war underpinnings but William Lyons and Jaguar stole the London Motor Show in 1948, presenting an exotic sports car with an exquisite body shape that stunned the world. Powered by a 3.4 DOHC straight-six motor, the Jaguar XK120 was an elite sports car for road use – the XK120 name designating its top speed in miles per hour being 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 where the fashionable roadster found strong demand particularly in Hollywood. Simultaneously, the 1949- 1952 era of the XK120 lightweights and pre-production aluminium bodied cars achieved major competition results under the direction of Lofty England, with awe-inspiring results and major wins in England and America. During the period, 1951-1953, the XK120C, or C-Type was developed as an endurance racing version, Jaguar going on to years of success at Le Mans and as a consequence further development with its successor, the D type.

Chassis 669037 was completed by the Jaguar factory on 3 July 1953 and duly despatched on 15 July to Independent Motor Sales in Wellington. The first owner was Miss Georgia Buchanan of Upper Pines Road, Masterton and this was her second XK120 going on subsequently to purchase yet a further two examples! Care of the car(s) was entrusted to well known Wellington mechanic Miss Sybil Lupp who used to tune the vehicles whilst staying with Miss Buchanan. It is assumed that upon the purchase of the fourth car being an XK140 that the XK120 in question was then sold. In August 1957 then owner, V.K Clarke sold the car to Archibalds in Christchurch who sold it the following day to a D. Withers. Next it

appears to have been owned by John Taylor a director of Revlon Cosmetics in Wellington from whom it passed in 1958 to Ian Mirfin who at the time worked at Wellington Airport. His departure for overseas in 1962 prompted a sale to Ken Price of Normandale who had the engine rebored and rebuilt by Miss Lupp and also had it repainted. In 1967 the car still in Wellington was sold to Sue Pritchard a production secretary at Pacific Films.

The following year Robin Brew a farmer from the suburb of Brooklyn bought it and used it through until the mid-70s when it became un-roadworthy when it changed hands once more this time, to a Peter Vincent of Petone. Mr Vincent then began a dismantling process in readiness for a major restoration which seemingly never really started! Next came along Bob Smyth of Wainuiomata who collected all the parts from three Capital locations before commencing a five year restoration which included substantive body repairs, engine and gearbox rebuilds, a re-veneering of the walnut interior, installing new chrome and fitting XK150 wire wheels plus a re-paint in Signal Red with black trim finally getting back on the road in November 1991. In 2003 it could be again found up for sale this time, at Auckland’s Ken Stout Motors where it was acquired by a Warkworth couple who having had the same model in the UK fitted a Derrington wood rim steering wheel from it to this car. A complete brake overhaul was additionally undertaken including replacement of drums. After some four years ownership gravitated in 2007 to our vendor. The car presents itself today with 29,280 miles on the clock. A Motorola radio is fitted as too does a front of roof mounted aerial, spot lights and wire wheels. The red paint is a little distressed but otherwise the vehicle appears in reasonable shape and with a comprehensive history that is likely only found on a Jaguar of this era within a locally delivered context.

Webb’s wish to thank John Elmgreen & Terry McGrath, authors of The Jaguar XK 120 in the Southern Hemisphere for providing this detailed history.