Does anyone know the CHASSIS No of this Gordon White XK120 dhc?
Even though I am still of the belief that “cut-away” spats (or wheel-covers
as per Jaguars own terminology) were not available ex-Jaguar on XK120s they
were listed as being offered as a special option on XK140s
This all starts to get confused with passage of time of course, especially
with certain period photos - all in USA - showing them fitted to XK120s.
Seems like there were a few after-market modifications done by both USA
Dealers, and after-market suppliers, but from what I have seen, these are
simply the original full wheel-cover with a piece cut-out and with a fairly
basic or unsophisticated edge to the cut-out. Also you will find the actual
shape of the cut-out varies considerably from one after-market modification
to the next.
The XK140 Spare Parts Catalogue does however fully detail the availability
of a factory option “cut-away” spat for the XK140, with unique part number
for both cut-away spat and for the accommodating rear-wing (mudguard/
fender) which is most telling.
In XK140 EXPLORED the illustrated “cut-away” wheel-cover is totally
unconfirmed, and in all probability is a home-made modification with the
picture used to create the illustration having been lifted from an Ebay
advertisement for just the sole wheel-cover - claimed in advert to be
ex-XK140 - thus of totally unverified providence. On balance I agreed to
its inclusion in book as it at least represented a documented factory option
with correct part numbers, and at that time I had nothing better that gave
more confidence of being original.
The main thing that concerns me is that any “cut-away” wheel cover that
still has the top-centre budget lock fastening arrangement is unlikely to be
factory original, and most probably a full-wheel cover with a piece cut-out
thus would not require a different part number rear-wing.
The most likely factory “cut-away” wheel-cover will more likely have a
concealed dzus-fastener arrangement at leading edge as per the Mark 1 and
Mark 2 wheel-covers, and indeed I have a photograph of such an arrangement
on an XK140 sitting in a UK museum. The actual cut-away is a concentric
circular shape and not the usual tear-drop, and the cut-away edge is a
sophisticated rolled edge, and of course this revised securing arrangement
would explain the new rear-wing part number.
My money is on this museum XK140 having actual factory “cut-away” wheel
covers, and if XK120s were ever so factory fitted, they would be same as
this XK140. One day I would like to get some close-up detail photos
rather than just the couple of five-footers I have at present.
But like all these things I would like further evidence and unlikely to come
from USA cars as most late XK120 and most XK140 sold to USA invariably had
wire-wheel option, with full wheel covers over disc-wheels being the less
preferred specification. In UK (and Australia) - wheel-covers/disc-wheels
remained more popular on XK140 than wire-wheels, even with a handful of
XK150s still being so equipped.
No EVIDENCE to date suggests the factory ever provided “cut-away” wheel
covers for XK120, and if so, surely it would be noted in the JDHT records
for a particular XK being a “special option”. Always easy to prove
something does exist - almost impossible to prove something doesn’t exist.
The Gordon White XK120 shows an unusually small or tight cut-away - just
enough really the clear the knock-off/hub-centre although not so sure under
full suspension movement?
Certainly looks to be a quality effort - in line with rest of XKs obviously
high standard - but most definitely, an owner-modification.
Roger Payne - XK140MC OTS; E-Type 4.2 S.1 OTS; DSV8.
Canberra.-----Original Message-----
From: owner-xk@jag-lovers.org [mailto:owner-xk@jag-lovers.org] On Behalf Of
XK120@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, 10 May 2011 6:15 AM
To: xk@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [xk] Gordon White’s cut away spats
I was at the Portland JCNA / All British show when Gordon showed his
beautiful XK120 restoration job. He did all the work. As I remember he
actually made the cut away spats using a design he had seen on another car.
The
guy really did a fantastic job on the whole car.
Larry J
Date: Sun, 8 May 2011 21:17:02 EDT
From: Ottman0401@aol.com
Subject: Re: [xk] Wire wheels on XK120
Hi Roger,
See Gordon White’s 120DHC for wire wheels & spats @:
http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1046533046
Regards, Otto M.
In a message dated 5/8/2011 08:31 Eastern Daylight Time,
@Roger_Payne2 writes:
Unless you have/can-source the super-rare “cut-away” spats that were
offered by Jaguar to go with wire-wheels.