Description
We are delighted to introduce one of the most significant Jaguar XK120’s ever built. Personally ordered by Sir William Lyons.
There are very few XK120’s in the world which can claim to have works histories. But this is very definitely one. The Jaguar Heritage Certificate reveals that KRW923 was built in February 1951 and despatched on the 27th of that month. Under the First Dealer is written ‘Works Car, Mr Lyons’. The reason for this is that KRW923 was not just a works car, but a works car allocated to Sir William Lyons, specifically for his son – Jaguar heir apparent – John’s 21st birthday!
John Lyons, Sir William’s son, was a modest young man being groomed to take over the Jaguar Cars empire from his father when the time came. Tragically, however, he was killed in a road accident driving a Works MKVII, en-route to the Le Mans 24 Race in 1955. Prior to his untimely death he used the XK120 in various significant competition events proving himself to be no mean driver in the process. In 1951 he achieved a creditable 7th place in the gruelling RAC Rally, following this up with successful drives in the National Jubilee Rally and the Morecombe Rally, amongst others, the following year.
After his death KRW923 was sold in 1957 through a Jaguar Dealer, AW Harrison & Sons to a US Airforce serviceman based in High Wycombe for the equivalent of $1, 400. Master Sergeant Leroy Perry took the car home with him upon his repatriation two years later. The Car remained in the US passing in the 1960’s to another Master Sergeant, LM Baker from Spokane, Washington. During the course of his ownership he corresponded frequesntly with Jaguar Cars who confirmed to him KRW923’s history as a Works Car. Importantly, these letters still survive in the cars substantial history file, which we hold.
During the 1970’s the car passed to Mr Robert B McKay, a diligent owner who kept a daily log of his time and experiences with the car. Several interesting entries are listed including an appearance on KXLY Television, mentions of correspondence received from Jaguar and it’s appearance in Paul Skilleter’s definitive tome ‘Jaguar Sports Cars’. Obviously with such an important car as this. many other historians also knew of it’s past and it is listed in legendary Jaguar authority Andrew Whyte’s history of the marque in a select table of famous XK120’s! Numerous other articles have been written, many of which we hold copies of.
Jaguar XK120’s with works histories very seldom become available for sale and when McKay sold KRW923 it became part of a large Private Collection in Japan, where it remained for many years.
The Car has come to us from an important Scottish Car Collection and the history file (or rather boxes) on this amazing car is incredible – it even includes a print of a specially commissioned oil painting by renowned artist, Michael Turner, of John Lyons racing at the 1951 RAC Rally.
The car is in excellent condition having been returned to it’s original specification by marque specialists, including ourselves, over a long and sympathetic restoration.
This sale represents a magnificent and rare opportunity to acquire an XK120 with a such a rare and significant provenance.
