Jaguar XK 120 Fire Engine - Adelaide

[101RRS]

A while ago I saw an item on Tv about a Jaguar XK120 fire engine that was used in the 50s in Adelaide.

Apparently it was the Fire Commissioner's car and was fitted with lights and siren.

I have since googled to obtain more information on the car but have drawn a blank.

Does anyone have any information on this car or references.

Thanks

Garry

[4bee]

I too have tried to find info on this as well Garry but have drawn a blank even with my Son in Law a Station Officer in the MFS (Was SAFB)
It doesn't even get much of a mention in the History of the SAFire Service 1840- 1982 "Muscle & Pluck Forever".

I used to work at a firm of Signwriters/Painters next to the HQ Engine Room (Lykkes) in my younger days & would see it be driven around the City block at the start of the day shift as they always did each day to ensure all appliances were serviceable.

I recall when it was first into service there was a typical hue & cry about the cost of such an extravagant means of transport for the Chief Officer, Jock Whyte & his personal Fireman Driver but when they got to a fire ground before the main appliances & were able to rescue a young child, the criticism appeared to cease.

It was often on display at SAFB Open days & I seem to recall it carrying a couple of Fire extinguishers & some rescue tools in the boot.

Not only was it fitted with Lights & Siren (not 100% sure about the lights now) on the front but with 2 way radio as well, a novel thing back then. The base antenna was on top of the old Savings bank of SA (now Bank SA) but comms these days are through the SA Govt Radio Network (GRN) with statewide coverage.


I have been after a photo of it for my records & even MFS Archives can't assist, but they could with Suburban Fire Station photos of the day. Your guess.

It cost the 'outrageous' price of 1450 quid & was adapted to suit for some hundreds of pounds to replace the 1935 Dodge whick Jock Whyte had used for his 'Turnout Car' & was referred to "A glamorous vehicle for a Playboy rather than dignified transport for a Fire Chief" & Councillor Cooper saw Whyte drive along the streets on the day of delivery & said "it was most impressive sight .... giving those people who saw it a feeling of vast confidence in the Fire Brigade"

Supposedly could do "132mph but was not supposed to be quicker than a V8" ..and..it's the sort of thing you expect to see Clark Gable in".

One Council complained about the expense & was told that "their contribution to the Jaguar was only seven shillings & sixpence per year for 10 years"
I would love a photo of this car if you are able to locate one somewhere. Maybe the newspapers of the day could assist more, ie The Advertiser, The News for apx 1950-51.

Hope this is of some help to you.



Update. Have just spoken by phone to one of the co-authors of the book at the MFS & he is going to fix me up with a few photos of the Jag. He reckons he can probably lay his hands on about half a dozen.:banana::banana::banana:

Watch this space or I can send them on to you.

[101RRS]

That is great information - thanks.

The car still exists (a given for an XK120) and is fully restored - not sure if to fire brigade specs - the TV segment was about 18 months ago and I have no idea what program it was on - they showed the car in its modern guess.

If I ever come across anything I will pass it on.

Garry

[bee utey]

Perhaps put your question to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood SA?

National Motor Museum (http://www.history.sa.gov.au/motor/motor.htm)

[4bee]

Speaking of 'Jock' Whyte. He also introduced as a world first (in 1936) the 'Fireman Speaks' fire alarm which was a talk back system & details of a fire could be passed back as soon as the glass panel was broken.


Oh yes, when the Jaguar was disposed of it was replaced with a Hudson car then a black FE or FC Holden with twin carbs. A bit of a come down for Whyte's four shift drivers I should think.:D
I can only assume it was modified for better handling & load carrying.
I don't know what Chief Officer's car is used today, if any.

[xk120]

not sure if you are still looking for infomation on the xk120, If you are, my father owns the car and I can help with the history of the car

[4bee]

I never did get the promised B&W photos of this in service after many reminders to the co-author, or indeed any further info. Cest la vie.:(

Thank you anyway.

[p38arover]

I have since googled to obtain more information on the car but have drawn a blank.

A quick Google came up with these:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/44925783'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||l-title=44|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/45690208'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||l-title=44|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/45658497'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||l-title=44|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/45684075'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||l-title=44|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/130331603'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131225497'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131220554'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131220490'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131220500'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131222813'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131224445'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131126553'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131224805'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/131132255'searchTerm=fire%20chief%20jaguar&searchLimits=l-state=South+Australia|||sortby=dateDesc|||l-category=Article|||l-title=461

http://www.xkdata.com/cars/detail/?car=660094&datahistory=yes

Re article below, See pic on page 10 https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/Assets/1127/1/HeritageLivingFebruary2012.pdf

Colour pic here:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-lifestyle/about-time-sas-history-festival-reveals-little-known-aspects-of-our-history/story-fnizi7vf-1226904454330?nk=b8ae4ba7cb3c6554fd50ac379f05e071

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/635.jpg

More pics here: http://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/2261754/victor-harbor-british-classics-tour-2014-rolls-in-photos/

[4bee]

Thanks Ron. I have a feeling that the wire spoke wheels were not the originals which were the "slotted disc" type, but I am prepared to be corrected as it was only aprox. 60 odd years ago.:D

Siren & red flashing/rotating beacon(?) were mounted on front guards.

[101RRS]

not sure if you are still looking for infomation on the xk120, If you are, my father owns the car and I can help with the history of the car

Do you have any pics you can post of the car as it was used by the fire brigade. A number of years back I did see an old pic with what looked like a fitted siren and lights but most pics I have seen of the car like those posted above are from when it has been restored - eg it is doubtful it had chrome wires when new - more like painted wires or disk wheels and as I said I think it also had the fire service accessories like siren and lights.

Cheers

Garry

[Bigbjorn]

Around WW1, a South Australian fire chief had a Gobron-Brillie. A huge car with a vast opposed piston engine. Very expensive and high performance for the time.

It was restored in Melbourne in the 1950's and is now in the Nethercutt Museum in Los Angeles. If you are ever near, don't miss the Nethercutt Museum or the Nethercutt Collection which is directly across the street.f

[Bigbjorn]

Knock off wire wheels were an extra cost option. Plain disc wheels were the standard equipment. XK120's had appalling brakes and I recall working briefly for a mechanical shop in Brisbane that prepared a few race cars and drilling ventilation holes in the wheel centres using a radial arm drill, three drill bits per hole. Thirty-six operations per wheel. They also overheated badly in Qld. summers particularly racing in the heat and high speeds of Lowood. An amphibious Jeep radiator was tailor made for the application fitting neatly in the narrow nose.

[xk120]

91928 Hope this Image works

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/parking-lot/91928d1426834769-jaguar-xk-120-fire-engine-adelaide-xk120.jpg

[4bee]

Thanks for that xk120.. She's just as I remember her. She lived in the bay to the rear of her back end under the Chief's quarters above.

A couple of Diamond Ts behind, & as I recall one was a Hose Carrier with 4 or 6 Firemen (?) with loads of Canvas hose stored in many lockers back & Sides, the other could be the Rescue/Salvage Van although as it seems all the SAFB vehicles were Diamond T, they could be Appliances or anything else.
Two exceptions were the Le France & the British Leyland Arial Ladders.
Most if not all special bodywork & lots of Chrome plating on access panels etc were built by SAFB Tradesmen in their Beverley workshops & there appeared to be no shortage of Skilled Trades amongst their ranks.


Of course that building has gone now & & replaced some years ago with a purpose built structure with lots of height for the new equipment & lots of glass & superior facilities.

That makes it the 3rd building on this site the first being for Horse Drawn equipment of the times.

The one above was built during or after WW2

[4bee]

Another connected snippet.

02 Feb 1952 - Chiefs grief at death of young fireman (http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/55745627)



His 27 year old driver (Fireman Bill Spragg) of 12 months killed by falling bricks at city Fireground

[digger]

the back of it now...(@2013 I think)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/03/352.jpg

side

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/03/353.jpg

front

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/03/354.jpg

it is a beautiful thing.

[4bee]

Yes, she still is. Thanks digger.

The appliance rear, to the right, appears to be a Dennis Pumper but not 100% sure.

The SAFB introduced 2 of these, & in those days they really did look the dog's wottsits flying up Wakefield Street. Very streamlined & modern but looked a bit ungainly, & at last gave the crew some protection in an RTA. A progression up until today's vehicles where they are totally enclosed with seat belts & even maybe airbags ????


During one turnout an appliance collided with a Passenger bus in Victoria Square injuring quite a few as I recall.

The Diamond Ts were built like the proverbial brick dunny so didn't take many prisoners.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

While on the subject of Jaguar anyone want to see a destroyed J60 4.2 engine? (FV102-Striker engine)

Note the missing third of the valve head. (bit hard to see)

[4bee]

Nothing a bit of Lapping Compound & Elbow grease won't fix, Diana.:D