16 replies to this topic

[jayrrrr]

Am trying to trace the racing history of a 1950 Jaguar XK120, aluminium bodied, of Don Busch of Melbourne. I believe the registration number of the car was RH-344.

Any information greatly appreciated.

[Dick Willis]

I owned an ex Don Busch XK at one time, it was chassis number 660214, it is now apparently in the USA, but it wasn't alloy bodied. Did he own more than one XK120 ?

[jayrrrr]

Yes he did Dick, an earlier chassis number than the one you mention.

[Lola5000]

Don was my godfather,i shall ask my father as to what XK120s Don owned.
Terry Mcgrath,who is on this forum will know,as he has written several books on XKs down-under.

Edited by Lola5000, 12 May 2013 - 07:11.

[Lola5000]

Am trying to trace the racing history of a 1950 Jaguar XK120, aluminium bodied, of Don Busch of Melbourne. I believe the registration number of the car was RH-344.

Any information greatly appreciated.

Going on the early McGrath book that is chassis #66034.
Was raced by Don in 1950 and road tested by "The Age" paper.
Car was sold in about 1951/2 to Byrne Davies and stolen in October 1952...never recoved.
Why do you ask?

[jayrrrr]

Have read Terry's book, would like to find out the actual races participated in, because I am pedantic

[Lola5000]

Have read Terry's book, would like to find out the actual races participated in, because I am pedantic

I don't think Don did any serious racing apart from Hill Climbs,I might be wrong.
His claim to fame was of the following.
Melbourne's 1st playboy including the best ladies of the day.
Restoration of a chassis/mechanics of a Rolls Royce Phantom 3 V12.
The owner of several new Rolls Royce cars often 2 at a time ie 2x RR Silver Cloud 2's..2x RR Silver Cloud 3's and several Rolls Royce Silver Shadows.
The owner and restorer of a home in Toorak rd Toorak called "Cloine"
And of course restoration and death flying a North American P51 Mustang in or about 1968.

[cooper997]

Don's listed in the October 4 & 5, 1952 Fisherman's Bend race meeting.

Saturday's Event #7 'Production Car Race' has an entry "32 D Busch Jaguar XK120 3442". Three other XK120 are also listed in that race, the #33 Jones/Davison, #34 Maloney & #37 Mills entries.

Then in Sunday's Event 8 "Victorian Trophy Race" the #32 XK is down with a different driver, F Lobb (Frank?).

Stephen

[cooper997]

There is a reference to D Busch, Jaguar XK120 in the 9/51 AMS handicap listing for the October 1st, 1951 Bathurst meeting. He must have entered, but later withdrew. I can't find any reference other than this in the programme, magazine report or John Medley book. For the record a handicap of 2.00 min was applied. Exactly the same as the Calvert XK120.

Stephen

[Wirra]

I was just flicking through the Horsham Times from the 28th november 1950, and came across this.



"Determination was easily seen in the expression of this competitor as he faced the starters in the scratch race for sports cars at the Ballarat aerodrome. Driver of the latest model Jaguar, XK120, D. Busch, handled the sleek projectile well over the seven laps of 21 miles. After winning the event convincingly, however, he drove off with the grim expression replaced by a broad smile. The XK's are reputed, to be the fastest sports cars in the world, having recorded 134 miles an hour. On the continent one recently averaged 107 mph for 24 hours"

[jayrrrr]

Thank you gentlemen, appreciated.

[cooper997]

Good find Wirra. That will be the November 18 & 19, 1950 Ballarat meeting. It was Sunday's "Sports Car Scratch Race" that Don Busch won. Beating another XK120 run by "J McEwan". That being how the 12/50 issue of AMS reported it. I take it that means it was a pseudonym or substitute driver for the second placegetter.

[Wirra]

... Don Busch won. Beating another XK120 run by "J McEwan"....

And. Harry Firth third in an MG TC.

[Lola5000]

this car has been on eBay in a unrestored condition .

[terry mcgrath]

this car has been on eBay in a unrestored condition .

This was the second time it has been on EBAY.

It was listed as a package lot with a 1940 SS Saloon and a MKV DHC. There where a number of inquiries from overseas including somone in Monaco and owner of two alloy XK120's in the USA etc but they noted they were having problems getting information from seller.

The seller pulled before the auction ran its course.

Not sure what happened with the car.

Just recently I picked up a 1950's manufacture 240 volt electric motor made by the Busch Electric Co PL which have a very nice metal label on them

terry

tmcgrath@bigpond.com

[275 GTB-4]

Just recently I picked up a 1950's manufacture 240 volt electric motor made by the Busch Electric Co PL which have a very nice metal label on them
terry
tmcgrath@bigpond.com

First thing that sprang to my mind is whether there was any connection with Don here?

http://en.wikipedia..../Anheuser-Busch

[Lola5000]

First thing that sprang to my mind is whether there was any connection with Don here?

http://en.wikipedia..../Anheuser-Busch

Nope.

 

My God Father ..Don owned a firm that built electric motors ect as per Terry's purchase.

 

.Terry,did the Leech brothers own a company called Mainline enterprises? Only asking as my father owned early in its life a FHC E-type,red in colour with red trim ...I think 860067? and bought it of Bill Leech,before they owned 860166,the car that is for sale at the moment.