Jaguar XK120 LT

Jaguar XK120 LT (Lightweight) was a special model created as a reserve option for the 1951 Le Mans race.

About Jaguar XK120 LT

In 1951, Jaguar Cars Ltd developed three special Jaguar XK120 LT (Lightweight) which, should the Jaguar C-Types not be ready, would replace them in the upcoming Le Mans competition.

The lightweight models differed from the regular Jaguar XK120 in a number of changes:

• Lightweight magnesium alloy body ordered from Abbey Panels;
• Body without removable parts (except hood and doors);
• Reduced “cut down” doors;
• Brooklands type windshields;
• 40 gallon fuel tank;
• Aluminum bucket seats with additional side bolsters;
• Tubular frame inside the rear of the car;
• Large filler neck moved to the other side (for convenience during competitions);
• Improved technical characteristics due to body changes and modifications.
• Jaguar XK120 Silverstone interior

However, the Jaguar C-Types were ready (and even took first place), and the Jaguar XK120 LT cars had a different fate.

All three cars (LT1, LT2 and LT3) were sent to the Browns Lane plant until Charles Hornburg, Jaguar's West Coast importer, spotted them during one of his many visits to the plant, probably in July 1951. He bought the two cars that were completed (LT2 and LT3) to promote Jaguar in the US and compete in various competitions. Hornburg called these cars the Jaguar XK120 "Silverstone", although Jaguar never used or endorsed this name. In 1953 and 1954 the cars were sold and their further fate could not be established.

The third LT1, which at that time was already without a chassis, remained at Brown's Lane until 1953, when it fell into the hands of Bob Berry, one of the Jaguar employees. He put the car on his own chassis with an engine. The car eventually made its way to North America, where it was driven by Peter Price at various West Coast tracks. According to many sources, today the LT1, restored to its original form, is in a private collection. It was not possible to find information about this unique exhibit, but there are a couple of worthy replicas that took years to create (one of them is shown in the photographs).

Jaguar XK120 LT Overview

According to a number of sources, the cars were based on the XK engine with a C-Type head, although by the time the models were ready, the Jaguar C-Type cars for which this engine was intended were not yet ready (perhaps the engine was already ready or a preliminary one was used prototype). The models also used the standard chassis and suspension from the Jaguar XK120.

Jaguar XK120 LT Technical Specification

Only a number of characteristics and modifications that affect performance indicators are reliably known:

• 6 cylinder 3442 cc;
• Two SU H6 carburetors;
• Compression ratio 9:1;
• Modified radiator and cooling system;
• Dual exhaust;
• Air intakes for cooling the brake system;
• Rear axle ENV;
• Special aluminum-coated Dunlop wheels for improved brake cooling.

Although many parts from the standard Jaguar XK120 were used , catalogs and documentation for the Lightweight models could not be found that could shed light on the exact parameters of the model.

Jaguar XK120 LT Photogallery