Walt Hansgen’s 1951 Jaguar XK120 Special, now raced by Bob Millstein. Unable to purchase a C-Type for the 1953 season, Hansgen decided to transfer his Jaguar XK120’s key components to a lightweight “special”. By replacing the XK120’s basically two-dimensional ladder frame with an elaborate three-dimensional structure of (mostly) round tubing, he hoped to meet or beat the C-type’s 2100 pound curb weight. Combined with a lightweight body and eliminated trim, this would amount to over 700 pounds of weight reduction compared to an un-modified XK120 roadster. He won the 1953 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.
| Engine: Jaguar 3.5L six cylinder engine (rebuilt, balanced, and blueprinted.) ~10.5:1 static compression ratio. Standard Jaguar crankshaft and connecting rods. Forged pistons. Iskenderian “3/4″ camshafts. Dual S.U. 1.75” (HD6) carburetors. Lucas distributor, with breaker points. |
Read more on the excellent British Race Car web site by Curtis Jacobson…
http://www.britishracecar.com/BobMillstein-Jaguar-HansgenSpecial.htm
With thanks to Curtis Jacobson for several of the photos http://www.britishracecar.com/