2009-11-15 15:40:34 | Peter Zobian writes:

According to the CJA register, 670003 was originally owned by Clark Gable and was a gift from Gable to Wm. Caracciola (New Jersey, USA) son of Rudolph Caracciola, German F-1 driver. Car was later sold to England. No other info.

2009-11-15 18:18:50 | terry mcgrath writes:

amost certainly all the info above now turns out to be incorrect.
The most important item is there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that this is the Gable car and in fact all the evidence in fact supports the case that 670003 originally a cream car is not the Gable car the one that he is regularly seen in, in front of his garage.
We need to get an accurate description of the colour of this gable car

2009-11-15 19:46:13 | Peter Ingram writes:

This was or is in the Wesley Clark collection in Texas For sale through Retro Classics in London in October
1998 £60,000. Also ex Thomas Haddock of Ann Arbour Michigan

2009-11-17 03:28:26 | David Barnett writes:

In 2007 Wes Clark was offering this car for sale with in his words a "substantial amount of paper work to back up the Gable connection" having spent a "considerable sum of money on researching the car with various detective agencies".
At the time a person working for Wes told me they had swopped front ends (wings/fenders) with another alloy car because it was in better condition. The other alloy car I subsequently bought. This front end certainly has the ariel/antenna hole as per the photographs of the 1st Gable car.

When 670003 left the production line it was according to Jaguar Cars finished in Cream.
I don't think this is conclusive evidence one way or another that this is the Gable car.
It is possible that it was re painted another colour before Gable bought the car, The factory is known to have done this fairly regularly, witness the Silverstone race cars being painted, even changing left to right hand drive, and back again, cars have been heard of being 3 different colours before the customer receiving them !, so it is easy to believe they may have changed the colour again for a 'special customer'.

Jaguar records also say this is the 1st XK imported into the USA (via Hornburgs).

In 2008 Wes Clark sold 670003 to Derek Hood of JD Classics, England

2009-11-21 17:04:39 | Peter Zobian writes:

Personally, I don't much care whether Clark Gable owned which car, I only reported what the Classic Jaguar Association had in their records. However, I agree with David Barnett with regards to changing colors. The alloy car that I own (670069) left the factory as a silver car, but was painted "old english white" (cream) before it was delivered to the first owner. It is my understanding that purchasers of these early cars were not guaranteed any particular color.

In the photo of the alloy front clip, that is certainly an alloy bodied XK 120 next to it.

2009-11-22 07:02:13 | David Barnett writes:

I should have said that the chassis in the background is 670003 and the car to the right is 670120, Wes Clark had the both of them for sale at the same time (2006), I subsequently bought 670120 (originally supplied to Henry N Manney), I couldn't afford 003 as he was asking some $600,000 dollars for it !

2012-08-19 20:28:51 | pauls writes:

It would appear the car is making an appearance at Pebble Beach 8/12.
www.interactivejaguar.com/jaguar/DisplayRelease.php

A PIECE OF HOLLYWOOD AND JAGUAR HISTORY: CLARK GABLE'S 1949 XK120

Pebble Beach, Calif.) August, 18, 2012 - This weekend, a very special XK120 will be on the judging field at the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. This particular XK120 is significant because its first owner was none other than Hollywood icon Clark Gable, a devoted Jaguar enthusiast.

Gable was a self-admitted "car nut," who was already the proud owner of a Jaguar Mark IV Drop Head Coupe. When the XK120 was announced, Gable said that "he wanted it like a child wants candy!" A friend of West Coast Jaguar distributor Charles Hornburg, Gable went to International Motors on Wilshire Boulevard in Hollywood and insisted that he be sold the very first XK120 to arrive on the West Coast.

Gable was initially disappointed as the very first XK120 delivered to International Motors was for display purposes only and could not be driven or sold. In fact, the 3.4 liter XK engine in the car did not even have a crankshaft.

The cars were at a premium after their unveiling at the Earl's Court Motor Show in 1948. In fact, as would later happen again with the Jaguar E-Type a decade later, Jaguar thought they could probably sell 250 of the new cars. But demand was so high, 240 hand-beaten aluminum bodied cars were made to fill some of the outstanding orders until the actual production tooling for steel bodied cars could be installed.

While most of the early aluminum-bodied XK120s were intended for racing, this XK120 (chassis No. 670003) was the first customer car to leave the Holbrook Lane production line in June 1949. Built as a left-hand drive car, Gable's XK120 was exported to California in September 1949 to Charles Hornburg's Los Angeles distributorship before finally reaching International Motors, the Hollywood dealership of Roger Barlow.

Originally painted Suede Green, the car was re-sprayed to Gable's specifications. Its unique color is known as 'Gable Grey' and it was actually mixed by Roger Barlow and Clark Gable. During the restoration process, UK classic car specialist JD Classics then recreated the color as part of its painstaking 17-month restoration of the vehicle.

While researching this car, JD Classics discovered a feature article written by Clark Gable himself in the March 1950 issue of Road & Track magazine. In it, he mentions his attempt on one of Southern California's dry lakes to reach the XK120's official 132 mph top speed, which was a world record at the time for standard production vehicles. He managed to 124 mph in his completely stock and unmodified car.

Derek Hood, the driving force behind JD Classics, found Gable's XK120 outside of Dallas, Texas, where its then owner had disassembled the car and had parts in baskets, scattered between three sheds. At that point, chassis No. 670003 had been "lost" for many years.

Jaguar Cars and the Jaguar Heritage Trust are delighted that this car has now been restored and will be taking its rightful place among some of the most exquisite cars in the world, at this Sunday's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

2012-08-31 08:48:05 | pauls writes:

And it won:
www.sportscardigest.com/jaguar-xk120-wins-at-pebble-concours-2012/

A Jaguar XK120 Roadster was judged Best in Class in the Postwar Sports Open category at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, held Sunday, August 19th on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California.

While winning Best in Class makes this particular XK120 significant on its own merit, it also stands above the others because its first owner was Hollywood icon Clark Gable, a devoted Jaguar enthusiast. Gable's XK120, chassis No. 670003, is owned by Jeff Lotman, of Los Angeles and was restored and prepared for the Pebble Beach Concours by Derek Hood of JD Classics in Maldon, Essex in the U.K.

It is the only one of the three XK120s Clark Gable owned to be found and verified as one he had owned.

The XK120 still has Clark's Automobile Club de L'lle de France, Auto Club de Suisse and Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus badges as fitted during his ownership.

2013-07-30 08:38:52 | Georg Donni writes:

I would like to add to the comment of Pauls. MDU 420 which Clark Gable got delivered to Cornwall, Chassis-Nr.: 672 282 ist under restoration at Donni Classic Car in Switzerland. So at least one other car of Clark Gables has turned up and is identified.

2013-12-16 12:47:50 | the pedantic 120 writes:

yes an important car. But few small mistakes in engine bay and elsewhere.
A picture of the brass/black identification plate is always welcomed concerning important cars . . . .

2014-02-06 12:43:01 | Philip writes:

This site is unfortunately becoming common place for people trying to prove their car is genuine with 'incredible history' (just so happens it rockets up the price at the same time!).
"Paul's" is clearly JD Classics attempting, and succeeding, in this trick. Coupled with a Mr Donni stating he knows of another extremely rare (and expensive) ex Clarke cable car, which amazingly is owned by.....Donni Classic Car! Please leave the advertising to your websites

2014-02-06 19:08:26 | terry mcgrath writes:

I have seen 670003 first back in 1988 and again in 2012 I am happy that there is no doubt that 670003 is a true and genuine car ie the 3rd LHD alloy 120 built.
Whilst there are very very few cars that could be Clark Gable's first XK120 I must admit I have not seen any info to prove that 003 is the Gable car excepting to note that it has been stated by owners that documentation exists.
The reverse is true that no other very early XK120 has said to be the Gable car which leaves 003 in the box seat.
As to 672282 when I first heard that this car was alive and well in Switzerland my first thought was 'Oh No' not another fakeup/forgery but having been taken to the superb "Donni Classic Car" facilities and given total and unfettered access to the car and all its parts and being able to photograph and look at any part of the car I wished to I can say absolutely that with any doubt that Gable's steel bodied XK120 [MDU420] is alive and well and being restored in the good hands of Georg Donni.
It is when owners/restorers won't let you view a car before or during the restoration stage or have no as found photos that I smell a very large rat.
Coincidentlly whilst in Switzerland another keen XK enthusiast was able to come up with a completely new picture of [MDU420] car taken on the continent.

terry mcgrath
Australia
XK120 book www.jtpublications.com.au/book/

2014-02-07 13:22:22 | David Barnett writes:

67003 is also recorded (according to Jaguar records) as the very first XK imported into the USA.

2014-02-08 08:24:38 | Historian writes:

David, 670005, not this car 003, was the first XK120 in the US, sent to Hoffman on the east coast, where it made perhaps the first public appearance for an XK in the US, at the Watkins Glen races. Not sure which factory records you refer to in above comment.

2014-02-08 17:39:39 | pauls writes:

Philip your comment probably doesn't justify a response but for the record I have nothing to do with JD Classic or any other vendor. You flatter this site by suggesting a comment here could impact a car's value, the site is solely about a car's history. Please keep your comments factual and free of speculation.

2014-02-10 03:19:40 | David writes:

Historian (? What's your real name ?) Sincere apologies, You are right. I was looking at a letter detailing the first eleven XK120 to Hornburgs all despatched 1949. and should have realised this was the first West Coast supplied car and not the USA.

2014-02-12 10:32:40 | Philip writes:

Pauls at JD Classics, I will forgive your naivety but you have completely contradicted yourself. A cars history is its value. The more history, the more value. Hence why this site is full of cars with dubious pasts.
This site is a great way of finding more information on a XK. Some of which devalues a car, some increases.

2014-03-17 16:30:25 | Stefan Eusterkamp writes:

Best in Class in the Postwar Sports Open category at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - doesn't it say all? Would the folks at Pebble judge a wrong car to win ist class? I do not think so

2014-04-12 13:58:21 | the pedantic 120 writes:

from pictures I believe that restorers did really a great job on this car , BUT a lot of small mistakes around regarding originality, starting from "wrong" late type air filters to more little? things. We are talking about a so important car and we always like the perfection in every detail : the fun and satisfaction come from looking to details and appreciate them !
and I have not seen the commission plate, but I suppose surely ok .
Could be opened a debate about how straight should be ( verticallly talking ) the sides of alloy 120s, probably on the first cars no so straight, slightly rounded, the "normal " later alloys more straight . . .

2014-04-12 14:17:37 | Anonymous writes:

Richard, I agree !
Stefan, I am more than happy for that win of Gables' car, but judging not always means to be 120 true experts, and as example we know that in US, in less important concours, you could win showing a very good early 120 with a late type head . . Obviously when judging they look at the quality of restoration work first, but details are for the experts . .

2014-04-12 20:57:49 | terry mcgrath writes:

The ID plate is almost certainly a new repro plate.
Head and block are originals.
But what is a worry is that from first having seen this car back in 1988 and photos taken in 2006 and 2007 and me looking at it in 2012 how many variations there are in the chassis from earlier to 2012
one for example
The location of chassis number stamping on LH chassis rail has actually moved and is a different font between 2007 and 2012 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
See my comments from earlier posting I have yet to be convinced that this is the Gable car

6 feb 2014
I have seen 670003 first back in 1988 and again in 2012 I am happy that there is no doubt that 670003 is a true and genuine car ie the 3rd LHD alloy 120 built.
Whilst there are very very few cars that could be Clark Gable's first XK120 I must admit I have not seen any info to prove that 003 is the Gable car excepting to note that it has been stated by owners that documentation exists.
The reverse is true that no other very early XK120 has said to be the Gable car which leaves 003 in the box seat.
As to 672282 when I first heard that this car was alive and well in Switzerland my first thought was 'Oh No' not another fakeup/forgery but having been taken to the superb "Donni Classic Car" facilities and given total and unfettered access to the car and all its parts and being able to photograph and look at any part of the car I wished to I can say absolutely that with any doubt that Gable's steel bodied XK120 [MDU420] is alive and well and being restored in the good hands of Georg Donni.
It is when owners/restorers won't let you view a car before or during the restoration stage or have no as found photos that I smell a very large rat.
Coincidentlly whilst in Switzerland another keen XK enthusiast was able to come up with a completely new picture of [MDU420] car taken on the continent.

terry mcgrath
Australia
XK120 book www.jtpublications.com.au/book/

2015-01-05 05:47:31 | Gerd writes:

670003 won best best of show at the "Bund Classics" in Shanghai. Even Chinese admire Clark Gabel - and his car.

2016-05-31 07:25:33 | George writes:

I love the enamel Automobil Club Schweiz (ACS) on the badge bar of 670 003.

2024-02-13 15:11:25 | John S writes:

I would suggest we watch a movie “To Please a Lady” 1950 Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwick. At the 35 minute mark there is a 120 in the garage. Two tone interior and the radio antenna on the drivers fender near the drivers door. Could this be proof or another car??