2012-08-15 10:39:26 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 8/12

www.goodingco.com/car/1951-jaguar-xk120-roadster

Auction description:

Lot 131

1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

CHASSIS NO. 660684

ENGINE NO. G1754-8S (see text)

$100,000 - $130,000

Without Reserve

Unquestionably unique among XK120s, this sporty example represents the vision of Virgil Caruso, a Jaguar enthusiast of grand magnitude. Caruso was a talented mechanic, racing driver and past president of the Jaguar Club of Southern New England, as well as a respected expert on the marque. A veteran of such tracks as Bridgehampton, Lime Rock and Watkins Glen, he raced an XK120 extensively through the 1970s and 1980s, eventually selling that car. Later, when he decided to create his ultimate personal expression of an XK120, he didn't have to search far; he started with an RHD Roadster that is believed to have been purchased new by his father in 1951.

He began by fairing the driver's headrest, reminiscent of the D-Type and other famous sports cars of the time. The bumpers were removed and a custom low-profile Perspex windscreen replaced the original, giving the car a sleek and purposeful appearance. A leather-strapped and louvered bonnet was fitted, along with uprated suspension to improve handling. Engine modifications include a C-Type cylinder head, SU H8 "sandcast" carburetors and an aggressive side-exit exhaust for enhanced performance from the Jaguar 3.4-litre DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. It should be noted that the engine in the car today is not the original.

Caruso specified the car be painted in classic British Racing Green. It was fitted with bucket seats in black leather and 72-spoke chrome wire wheels. This car was undoubtedly meant to be driven and to participate in events, such as the Grand Ascent Hillclimb at the Elegance at Hershey in Pennsylvania, where it appeared in June 2012. Beautifully presented and detailed, this unique XK120 provides an opportunity to acquire a special Jaguar suited for use in a host of driving events.

Sold for $79,750

2014-07-20 13:52:23 | Reno writes:

car is offered at Overstreet House of Cars:
www.overstreethouseofcars.com/inventory

2014-12-19 03:14:23 | Anonymous writes:

Now back in the UK.
Original registration LOE 409. Raced and rallied extensively in early 50's by first owner Denis O'Mara Taylor.

2014-12-31 19:17:45 | Neil writes:

LOE409 was owned by my uncle in his youth. (Surname Grist).

Can supply a couple of photo if the new owner is interested

2017-10-11 21:14:08 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.classicandsportscar.com/classifieds/classic-cars/jaguar/xk120/jaguar-xk120-p ...

Sellers description:
Jaguar XK120 Period Competition Roadster (1951)
For sale from J D Classics
Essex, United Kingdom

This very well-known XK120 was built in early 1951 and sold new through the Birmingham distributors P J Evans to its first owner Mr Dennis O'M Taylor. Taylor was an enthusiastic race and rally driver who between 1951 and 1953 campaigned the car extensively, indeed he competed so regularly that one Autosport article referred to him as the "ubiquitous" Denis Taylor.
By way of illustration, Taylor, a good friend of Ian Appleyard, competed in over 20 National and International Rallies over this period and achieved strong finishes in most including a second overall in the International Rally Soleil Cannes in 1951, an outright victory in the Clacton Rally the same year and a first in class in the Daily Express Rally in 1952. All these successes, which were often documented in the motoring press of the time, did not go unnoticed and Taylor was awarded the BTDA Silver Star Award in 1952.
In addition to his Rallying exploits, Taylor also had a very accomplished circuit racing and hill climbing career in the XK with over nine appearances at Silverstone and many more at Prescott and Shelsley Walsh, where he again scored multiple victories and set many fastest times of the day.
After three years of hard competition Taylor acquired a Triumph TR2 and eventually sold his XK, which subsequently passed to a Mr John Grist in late 1957, by which time it had acquired the period performance modifications of a C-Type head and 2 inch Sandcast Carburettors, both of which it retains to this day. After passing through the hands of a few more owners LOE 409 was eventually exported to the United States in the early 1970s where it continued to compete, participating in many JCNA meetings at Lime Rock as well as numerous concours events throughout New England. More recently it also took part in the Grand Ascent Hill Climb at Hershey before being repatriated to the UK by a Jaguar collector and historian.
Following its acquisition by JD Classics it is currently undergoing a full chassis off restoration, which will be completed by the autumn of 2017. It will be delivered in its original colour scheme of Black with Biscuit and Red interior and finished to a similar specification as our recently sold XK120 roadster TAL 81. With a fabulous period competition record and accompanied by a large history file with numerous period photographs and competition reports it provides a very rare opportunity to acquire a genuine competition roadster that is eligible for all prestigious historic events including the Mille Miglia.

2019-04-08 08:26:26 | pauls writes:

Spotted at Goodwood 4/19

2019-04-09 00:51:55 | Jeremy B writes:

People who post excellent period photos but are too lazy to bother with captions, they should pay a fine, or something. It is deeply disappointing.

Harrumpff !

2021-10-12 10:52:31 | Keef writes:

Is this the original owner? www.motorsportimages.com/photo/1018078563-monte-carlo-rally/1018078563/

2021-10-12 12:44:05 | pauls writes:

Possibly, will be hard to find out though since that photo is 61 years old.

2021-10-13 01:06:21 | James writes:

Yes, that is the original owner of LOE409 (Denis O'M Taylor) driving his Austin A40, which has a suitable number plate given his initials - DOM3!

His co-driver Lewis Johnson Tracey used to drive another XK120 with Taylor - his car was registered LOB300