1950 Jaguar-Parkingson Special

After crashing his XK120 chassis 670191 in the Pebble Beach Road Races, Don Parkingson kept the remains and transformed them into this unique special.

A new body lightweight aluminum body was fitted design by Robert Cumberford and executed by Marvin Faw.

Joe Thrall did most of the mechanical upgrades including repositioning the engine nearly 10 inches back in the chassis. As a result the driver nearly sat over the rear wheels.

With upgraded brakes and an upgraded valvetrain, the Jaguar-Parkingson Special was ready near the end of the 1951 season. Don won the Palm Spring Road Race outright and he would remain in SCCA racing for 1952 and 1953.

This car was fully restored in 1983 with help from Marvin Faw who manufactured the original body. It continues to be vintage raced in California.

typeRacing Car
built atLos Angeles, California, USA
body stylistRobert Cumberford
coachbuilderMarvin Faw
engineersDon Parkingson, Joe Thrall
production1
engineXK120
positionFront Longitudinal
aspirationNatural
valvetrainDOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl
ENGINE TYPEnaturally aspirated petrol
ENGINE MANUFACTURERJaguar
ENGINE CODE
CYLINDERSStraight 6
CAPACITY3.8 litre
3781 cc
(230.731 cu in)
BORE × STROKE87 × 106 mm
3.43 × 4.17 in
BORE/STROKE RATIO0.82
VALVE GEARdouble overhead camshaft(DOHC)
2 valves per cylinder
12 valves in total
MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT
(NET)
223 PS (220 bhp) (164 kW)
at 5500 rpm
MAXIMUM TORQUE
(NET)
325 Nm (240 ft·lb) (33.1 kgm)
at 3000 rpm
SPECIFIC OUTPUT
(NET)
43.4 kW/litre
59 ps/litre
58.2 bhp/litre
0.95 bhp/cu in
SPECIFIC TORQUE
(NET)
85.96 Nm/litre
1.04 ft·lb/cu3
ENGINE CONSTRUCTION
SUMPwet sumped
COMPRESSION RATIO8:1
FUEL SYSTEM2 SU HD6 carbs
BMEP (BRAKE MEAN EFFECTIVE PRESSURE)1080.2 kPa (156.7 psi)
MAXIMUM RPM
CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS
ENGINE COOLANTWater
UNITARY CAPACITY630.17 cc
ASPIRATIONNormal