"The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and was their first sportscar since the SS100 which ceased production in 1940. It was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation thus persuading Jaguar founder and design boss, William Lyons, to put the car into production. The '120' in its name referred to its top speed which made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two open versions; first as the roadster, then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and also as a closed, or 'fixedhead' coupé, from 1951. With alloy cylinder heads and twin side-draft SU carburettors, the double overhead-cam 3.4 litre straight-six XK engine was comparatively advanced for a mass-produced unit of the time. With a standard compression ratio of 8:1, it developed 160bhp.
This is no ordinary Jaguar XK120. Chassis number 660332 was raced in period by Duncan Hamilton.Manufactured on 22nd November 1950 and delivered via Henlys of London to its first owner, a Mr. Philip Fotheringham-Parker a little over two weeks later bearing the registration number LXF 731.Fotheringham-Parker was an amateur racing driver of the immediate pre and post-war years combining sufficient levels of wealth, talent and enthusiasm to enjoy a respectable level of success in both national and international events. His friend Duncan Hamilton, an ex-Lysander pilot was building his reputation as a very competitive racing driver. XK120’s were proving to be successful after their competition debut at Silverstone in 1949. Hence the reason why Fotheringham-Parker purchased one. When he took delivery of LXF 731 in late 1950 he lent it to Hamilton who proceeded to race it at national and international events throughout 1951 and so began a very fruitful relationship between the Jaguar marque and Duncan Hamilton, gaining victories with the Works team at Le Mans in 1953 and Rheims in 1956. The first recorded event for LXF 731 was the one-hour production car race at the Daily Express Silverstone Trophy Meeting held on 5th May 1951. With Hamilton at the wheel, LXF 731 came home in third place behind Stirling Moss and Charles Dodson. The next outing at the Portuguese Grand Prix on 17th June was less successful with Hamilton retiring, he soon made amends by securing two victories in the XK120 at Boreham in the Williams Lyons Trophy race and the Unlimited Race on 11th August 1951.
In later years the car found its way to Northern Ireland where it was purchased by David Bazire. The car was fully restored in 2011 to its early race specification and has since been maintained regardless of cost as is evident from its current immaculate presentation. The car was sold by JD Classics in 2014 for £1,250,000 and we understand that during the last few years, LXF 731 has successfully completed the Mille Miglia on two occasions and the Le Mans Legends Support Race. A comprehensive history file accompanies the Jaguar, including correspondence between Bazire and Hamilton. This is a hugely important historical car, both from Jaguar Cars point of view and from the immensely charismatic and successful works driver Duncan Hamilton.
Period Race History
1951
5th May
Track: Silverstone, Daily Express Trophy MeetingRace: 1 hour Production Car raceDriver: Duncan Hamilton. Car No. 30Result: 3rd
17th June
Track: Circuito da Boavista, PortoRace: 1st Grand Prix of PortugalDriver: Duncan HamiltonResult: DNF
11th August
Track: BorehamRace: Williams Lyons TrophyDriver: Duncan Hamilton. Car No. 108Result: 1st
Race: Unlimited National RaceDriver: Duncan Hamilton. Car No. 108Result: 1st
18th August
Track: Goodwood, BARC 7th Members meetingRace: Over 3000cc Sports Car raceDriver: Philip Fotheringham-Parker. Car No. 36Result: 2nd
Race: Handicap race ADriver: Philip Fotheringham-Parker. Car No. 36Result: 2nd
Race: Handicap race DDriver: Duncan Hamilton. Car No. 36Result: 2nd
Race: Handicap race EDriver: Duncan Hamilton. Car No. 36Result: 2nd
29th September
Track: Goodwood, International meetingRace: Sports Car raceDriver: Philip Fotheringham-Parker. Car No. 61Result: 5th
Race: Handicap raceDriver: Philip Fotheringham-Parker. Car No. 61Result: 3rd
13th OctoberTrack: WinfieldRace: Unlimited Sports Car raceDriver: Philip Fotheringham-Parker. Car No. 57Result: Finished
1952
31st March – 2nd AprilEvent: RAC International RallyDriver: C M KempResult: Finished
May
Event: Morecambe RallyDriver: C M Kemp. Car No. 30Result: Finished
30th AugustTrack: SilverstoneRace: 750 MC 6 Hour Relay raceDriver: C M Kemp. Car No. 29AResult: 4th
13th SeptemberTrack: SilverstoneRace: MCC Sports Car raceDriver: C M Kemp. Car No. 4Result: Finished"