2014_09_13-motor-uk

MOTOR CARS | 185

After a period in the Middle East, he served with Air Sea Rescue
Squadrons 276 and 277 back in the UK and ended the war
commanding 278 Squadron at RAF Coltishall.

Ever the daredevil, Bowring was also a member of the famous
St Moritz Toboganning Club, founders of the Cresta Run. In 1954
Bowring entered his XK120 in the 750 Motor Club’s 6-Hour Handicap
Relay Race at Silverstone, where he and fellow Club member
C K W Schellenberg came home 3rd overall. Modifications made to
the Jaguar at this time – no doubt inspired by the Écurie Écosse cars

• included C-Type 2” SU carburettors and C-Type exhaust manifold,
  a quick-action fuel filler cap and front wings cut away for improved
  brake cooling. In September 1954, while still owned by Bowring, the
  car was crashed at Goodwood, it is believed by well-known Jaguar
  exponent Dick Protheroe.

‘OLH 3’ was then rebuilt around a new, un-stamped chassis
supplied by the factory. Jaguar later repaired the original chassis,
which John Coombs then bought and built into another XK120,
which he retained.

Sold by Bowring in 1955, ‘OLH 3’ remained in the London area

for several years before being taken to Devon where it resumed

its competition career, participating in sprints and hill climbs. The

accompanying old-style logbook lists a further six owners during

this period. Changing hands again in 1969, the XK was never driven

by the purchaser’s eldest son, for whom it had been intended, and

remained in the family garage, untouched, for the next 40 years.

When offered for sale at auction in 2009 as a ‘barn find’, albeit one of

some considerable importance, the car was still complete and even

retained the C-Type carburettors and exhaust.

Acquired by John Coombs, ‘OLH 3’ was then fully restored, being

reunited with its original chassis – ‘660280’ – in the process. The

unstamped chassis went into John’s other XK120. Although the

engine currently fitted – ‘W2853-8’ – is not original to the car, the

original engine block (‘W2433-7’) is present and will be supplied to

the buyer. Accompanied by V5C document and copies of period

race photographs, including two taken at Goodwood after the 1954

crash, this historic Jaguar XK120 is presented in lovely order.

£80,000 - 120,000

€100,000 - 150,000