The Peter Collins Trophy always welcomes a stacked field of achingly pretty 1950s sports cars. It’s only right that a race named after one of motorsport’s most dashing, breathtakingly fast, but always gentlemanly competitors is so awash with iconic pieces of motorsport engineering. Each and every one steeped in class and an expertly measured amount of panache.

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

At the 79th Goodwood Members’ Meeting presented by presented by Audrain Motorsport, the Peter Collins Trophy field didn’t disappoint, with the likes of Maserati 300S, Jaguar C and D-types, an Alfa Romeo 3000 ‘Disco Volante’ and a Ferrari 250TR/290MM amongst others vying for podium places and unofficial ‘belle of the ball’ accolades. Despite the competition, one car in particular caught our eye over the weekend in the shape of a completely unique 1954 Jaguar XK140 Gomm Special.

It may not have the most elegant name in the world, but don’t be fooled, the XK140 Gomm is a complete stunner. And judging by the constant buzz around the car, we weren’t the only ones paying it the extra attention as we got the lowdown from owner and driver, Mr Rick Willmott.

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

“It’s a special because it has a Maurice Gomm handmade aluminium body on it. So it’s a complete one off.”

Maurice ‘Mo’ Gomm, was the owner of a typical artisan motoring company that set up shop in the ‘50s around Surrey and the South of England, specialising in fabrications and metal works for the burgeoning motorsport industry. A largely unknown figure, he was said not to suffer fools, while being utterly committed to his work. Often found peering out from behind his welding mask, cigarette ablaze in a cloud of smoke.

“The unusual thing about it is that the Gomm body wasn’t made for this chassis. It was originally made for a 1938 Alta single-seater GP car. The owner at the time wanted to create a more road-going car. So he had this unique body built by Gomm.”

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

Indeed, the extensive and mind-bendingly complex historic records of the chequered, Frankenstein existence of this Alta Gomm Special states that the car was registered for the road on July 27 1955, before it became lost to the sands of time as a whimsical runaround for a generation or two.

“At some point in its history, the Alta Special was taken apart again, and the Gomm bodywork was laid up for a number of years until it was spotted by an XK engineer. He saw it and recognised that the wheelbase would fit an XK140 chassis, so he decided to put the two together.”

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

That engineer was Charles Fripp of Twyford Moors garage in Hampshire. Said to have been “stirred” by the sight of the Gomm bodywork, he immediately set to work placing it on an XK140 chassis and Jaguar 3.4-litre engine. A two-year build process followed, with the ultimate dream of acquiring FIA papers. But because of its unique past, lacking in-period battle honours, politics got in the way and the FIA declined repeated applications.

Despite the lack of FIA accreditation, Rick Willmott was, like most who see her, bowled over by the opportunity to take responsibility for such a memorable piece of art. Having owned the car for around four years, he continues to support the Jag’s long legacy, always looking to seek incremental improvements to performance while sharing its idiosyncratic story.

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

“In terms of XK, we’ve got a reasonably competitive car. In today’s grid, not so much, because it still weighs the best part of 1,100 kilos. So compared against a D-type or a C-type, it’s carrying way too much weight. But she’s great fun to drive. It handles well, we’ve done all we can to lighten her and to lower her, but she is running on full drum brakes all round. So she is slow to stop, but brilliant fun. It looks nice, and sounds ridiculous.”

The cacophony of orchestral brilliance that Rick is talking about is produced from the original Jaguar 3.4-litre engine with twin carburettors and a four-speed Moss manual gearbox.

“She goes well and she gets the occasional invite here, which is a fantastic thing. There’s still work to do though. Last time I ran her here at Goodwood she was on disc brakes and I’ve actually run a second and a half quicker on drums this time around. So we’ve managed to get more performance out of the engine and the suspension which is great.”

this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate
this unique jaguar xk140 gomm is beauty incarnate

Qualifying 16th, Rick was relaxed about the second to last race of the event, and was clearly just enjoying his weekend with one of the meeting’s most beautiful pieces of engineering.

“Frankly, the goal is just to enjoy it. And not to get overtaken! But it’s a really fantastic opportunity to race here. It’s a genuine privilege.”

And with that, we wished the softly-spoken Rick and his stunning Jaguar Gomm Special goodbye. If there was ever a pairing to do the spirit of the Peter Collins Trophy justice at the 79th Members’ Meeting, we’d put this charming driver and car right up there with the best.

Keyword: This unique Jaguar XK140 Gomm is beauty incarnate

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Jaguar Land Rover Is Using Old Parts To Fix 10,000 Cars Awaiting Repairs

A Range Rover Evoque owner accused Land Rover of using old parts to fix their car. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover British automaker Jaguar Land Rover has come under fire after the owner of a Range Rover Evoque accused the company of fixing her swanky SUV with used parts. The ...

View more: Jaguar Land Rover Is Using Old Parts To Fix 10,000 Cars Awaiting Repairs

Jaguar E-Type With Supra 2JZ Engine, BMW M3 Gearbox Will Upset Purists

It has Corvette front brakes while the rear ones come from a BMW 5 Series.

View more: Jaguar E-Type With Supra 2JZ Engine, BMW M3 Gearbox Will Upset Purists

Classic Corvette, Jaguar E-Type Look Beat Up But Salvageable In UK Barn Find

Evans feeling confident after ‘really beneficial’ Valencia test

Credit: Simon Galloway courtesy of FIA Formula E Mitch Evans topped two of the three sessions in Formula E’s official pre-season test in Valencia, which he admitted was “really beneficial” not only for himself but also for Jaguar TCS Racing. Based on the week of running at the Circuit ...

View more: Evans feeling confident after ‘really beneficial’ Valencia test

The Company Behind The Jaguar XJR-15 Is Back And Working On A New Car

The teaser shows flared fenders and a boxy tail.

View more: The Company Behind The Jaguar XJR-15 Is Back And Working On A New Car

Jaguar XJ220 Looks Fast Touring Monaco At 5 MPH

This XJ220 goes up for auction on October 25.

View more: Jaguar XJ220 Looks Fast Touring Monaco At 5 MPH

This Jaguar Restomod Is A Tribute To Enzo Ferrari, The E-Type's Biggest Fan

How do you modernize a legend successfully? You need to be subtle.

View more: This Jaguar Restomod Is A Tribute To Enzo Ferrari, The E-Type's Biggest Fan

Barclay: Addition of Cassidy key to Jaguar’s championship glory ‘objective’

Credit: Simon Galloway courtesy of FIA Formula E Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal James Barclay has admitted that the signing of Nick Cassidy has put the outfit in a position where they can achieve their “objective”, of winning the Formula E Constructors’ Championship. The Coventry-based outfit were pipped to ...

View more: Barclay: Addition of Cassidy key to Jaguar’s championship glory ‘objective’

Jaguar retain asymmetric livery for 2023/24

1958 Jaguar XK150S 3.4-Litre Roadster

1950 Jaguar XK

Best-selling car from every brand in South Africa

Jaguar Farewells Internal Combustion with Final Petrol Sports Car, the F-Type ZP Edition

BMW X2 and iX2, Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition, Audi SQ8, Chevy Corvette ZR1, Subaru WRX TR: Rambling About Cars 145

The 2024 Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition: A Final Tribute To The V8 Era

The F-Type ZP Edition is End of the Road For Jaguar ICE

The Jaguar F-Type Has Reached The End Of The Line

Jaguar’s last-ever petrol sports car – Only 2 secured for South Africa

2024 Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition Marks End Of Company's ICE Sport Cars

Jaguar XK150

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel