On August 30, 1960, Sydney race car driver and dealer Ron Hodgson took delivery of a new Jaguar Mk 2 from Bryson Industries, ushering in a new era for his racing career. The Jaguar was swiftly modified for the racetrack in Hodgson's workshop, incorporating performance enhancements like triple side draught 40mm Weber carburettors, D-type head, camshafts and crankshaft, alongside dual fuel pumps and adjustable shocks.
To reduce weight, the car's doors and panels were drilled with dozens of large holes, and lightweight C-type seats replaced the front seats. Brake cooling ducts were added, and the bonnet was equipped with louvers to extract heat from the engine bay. The car was marked distinctively with a white band around the grille, mimicking the Coombs racers of the UK.
This Jaguar Mk 2, the first of its kind to race in Australia, boasted a stellar track record with a victory at Warwick Farm and podium finishes in all its races including Bathurst. Its racing tenure spanned from December 1960 to October 1961, making a profound impact in its brief but illustrious career.
