1950 Jaguar XK120 OTS (Chassis 660239)
One of only 1,175 RHD examples, Australian-delivered with documented racing pedigree.
Chassis 660239 is an outstanding example of an early-production right-hand-drive Jaguar XK120 Open Two-Seater (OTS), one of just 1,175 RHD cars ever built. Completed on 6 November 1950, the chassis was dispatched to Brylaws, Sydney, on 30 November 1950, arriving aboard the Chanda in February 1951 (alongside 660243). It was first sold on 20 March 1951 to Macquarie Motors, a Jaguar dealer based in Bathurst, New South Wales, and was first registered in Victoria (UJ-403) in April 1951
Period Racing History
660239 boasts a genuine period competition history, having raced in some of Australia’s most significant early motorsport events:
- 17th Australian Grand Prix, Mount Panorama, Bathurst, 14 April 1952, driven by J.S. Moody (#33)
- Fisherman’s Bend Races, Victoria – October 1952 and October 1953, driven by V.A. Moloney
- Featured on the grid (#52) at the 1953 Australian Grand Prix Trials, Albert Park, Melbourne
The car retains its original turbo-vented wheels fitted for Albert Park, still present today alongside front brake backing plate cut-outs as functional remnants of its racing days.
Engine & Drivetrain
Under the bonnet lies the car’s original 3.4L DOHC straight-six (engine no. W2429-7)—the legendary XK engine that set multiple world speed records. Fully overhauled as part of a painstaking restoration, the engine has travelled just 7,000 miles since rebuild, and still delivers the visceral performance and aesthetics that made Jaguar a global icon in the 1950s. The car is currently fitted with a 5 Speed Gearbox.
Restoration
Acquired as a project in 1979, 660239 underwent a meticulous 20-year nut-and-bolt restoration by a passionate engineer and honorary life member of the Jaguar Car Club of Victoria (JCCV). The restoration addressed every mechanical and cosmetic component, with sympathetic upgrades for enhanced reliability:
Missing parts sourced/rebuilt:
- Fuel tank
- Clutch linkage
- Handbrake
- Dashboard & instruments
- Passenger seat
- Various mechanical components
Notable upgrades and features:
- Hidden brake booster
- Electra-Loom cloth-covered wiring loom with integrated indicators (front parkers and rear brake lights)
- Provisioned wiring for optional fog lamps
- Hidden battery kill switch
- Halogen headlight conversion
- 5-speed gearbox (a period correct Moss gearbox included in the sale)
Post-Restoration Highlights
- Participated in the 1996 XK-120 Darwin to Alice Springs 1500km Re-Enactment Run
- Proven show history and numerous awards across its post-restoration life
Included with the Car
- Period correct Moss 4-speed gearbox
- Jaguar Heritage Certificate
- Extensive historical and restoration documentation
- Multiple trophies and awards
- Original Jaguar XK120 sales brochure
- High-quality replica Jaguar salesman’s book (1950)
- Commemorative number plate from the 1996 Darwin to Alice Springs re-enactment event (XK-50)
Summary
660239 is a rare, Australian-delivered XK120 with true period racing history, an exceptional restoration pedigree, and a unique position in the country’s motorsport heritage. This is a collector-grade car, equally at home in a museum, on a concours lawn, or winding along historic routes.