Jaguar XK120 MDU 524: The Only Jaguar to Hold a Land Speed Record in the 1950s

Legendary ONES - Back in the early 1950s, the golden era of motorsport was just beginning to catch fire. It was a time when manufacturers weren’t just making cars—they were crafting legends. The world was hungry for speed, and the race for land speed records became a proving ground for automotive excellence. Among the elite, one name stood out with a story that felt almost cinematic: Jaguar. While many remember the marque for its racing triumphs at Le Mans, fewer know that Jaguar once held the land speed record—and it did so with a machine as stunning as it was swift, the remarkable Jaguar XK120, chassis number 660986, registered as MDU 524.

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' on display at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

This wasn’t just any XK120. Originally built as a Jaguar Works Competition car, MDU 524 first showed its spirit at the 1952 Rallye International des Alpes. But its destiny went far beyond rally stages. After proving itself in grueling alpine conditions, the car was meticulously modified for one goal only—speed. And not just any speed. It aimed to be the fastest production car on the planet. 

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' wasn’t just a fast car; it became a historic artifact. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Under the guidance of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons, the car was pushed to its absolute limits. The mission: to demonstrate the XK120’s engineering superiority on a straight, flat stretch of road in Belgium—the famed Jabbeke Highway. But what truly set MDU 524 apart from its peers wasn’t just its engineering; it was the attention to aerodynamic detail. A small Perspex bubble was added to the windscreen, a brilliant tweak designed to cheat the wind and give the driver just enough protection without sacrificing drag. Every curve, every modification was done with one objective in mind: speed. 

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' on display at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

The man chosen for this daring task was Norman Dewis, Jaguar’s longtime test driver and one of the most respected figures in British motorsport development. In April 1953, Dewis took the car to a blistering 140 mph, earning the title of the fastest production car. It was a short-lived reign, as a V8-powered Pegaso later upped the ante with a run of 150 mph. But Jaguar wasn’t done yet. Determined to reclaim the crown, they went back to the drawing board. After more refinements and aerodynamic tuning, Dewis once again returned to Jabbeke later that same year—and this time, he achieved a staggering 172.412 mph. 

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' is featured with the unique Perspex roof bubble to protect the driver and cheat the wind. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

That record-breaking run wasn't just a triumph of horsepower—it was a symphony of precision engineering, brilliant driving, and unrelenting ambition. MDU 524 wasn’t just a fast car; it became a historic artifact. So much so that Jaguar marked the occasion with a subtle but proud reminder—a small brass plaque mounted on the dashboard, commemorating its place in history as the only Jaguar to ever hold a land speed record.

After its record-setting performance, MDU 524 wasn’t retired to a museum just yet. It continued to appear at British circuits like Goodwood, Silverstone, Mallory Park, Crystal Palace, and Brands Hatch, further carving its legacy into Jaguar’s racing heritage. It never raced in a full competition configuration again, but its presence alone was enough to draw admiration wherever it appeared. 

1952 Jaguar XK120 Record Car 'MDU 524' uses a natural aspirated inline-6 DOHC engine with the power of 160 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 195 ft.lbs at 2,500 rpm of torque. (Picture from: Supercars.net)

Years later, the car would undergo a full restoration, commissioned by noted Jaguar collector Jeff Lotman. The work was undertaken by JD Classics and spanned 18 meticulous months, reviving every detail of the XK120 to its original glory. When the restoration was finally complete in 2013, something special happened—MDU 524 was reunited with Norman Dewis at the Quail Motorsports Gathering, bringing the story full circle in the most heartfelt way.

It’s rare for a car to hold such historical weight—not just for its speed, but for what it represents: a bold era of ambition, ingenuity, and relentless pursuit of greatness. The Jaguar XK120 MDU 524 didn’t just break a record. It captured a moment in time when the future of performance cars was being written in real time. And that, perhaps, is its greatest legacy. *** [EKA [07012021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | AUGUSTACHRONOCLE.COM | CONCOURSOFELEGANCE.CO.UK ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.