Vehicle Description
Over the years, Jaguar developed quite a knack at unveiling their
latest and greatest sports cars to stunned audiences. It happened
in the early 1990s with the spectacular XJ220 supercar. Before
that, the E-Type set the world alight with its staggeringly
beautiful lines and exotic construction. However, it was at the
1948 London Motor Show where it all started when Jaguar unveiled
their first postwar sports car to shocked show goers. The
spectacular XK120 was initially built as a testbed for their newest
engine, the 3.4-liter "XK" inline six. The highly-advanced engine
featured a sturdy iron block topped with an alloy, twin overhead
camshaft cylinder head, making 160 horsepower in standard form.
Supporting the engine was a robust chassis based loosely on the MkV
saloon, but substantially narrowed and tuned for handling. The real
sensation was the gorgeous body, penned in-house at Jaguar and
quite unlike anything else on the road at the time. Devoid of heavy
chrome and unnecessary frills, the XK120 body was curvaceous and
beautifully proportioned. The clean lines were uninterrupted,
particularly on the early examples with their steel wheels and full
spats on the rear fenders. The car was so well received that
William Lyons, the founder, and chairman of Jaguar Cars, was easily
persuaded to put it into production. More than just a pretty face,
the XK120 delivered astonishing performance for the period. The RAC
officially timed a largely standard XK120 (with a small aero screen
and tall gear ratio) at 132.6 miles per hour on the Ostend-Jabbeke
motorway in Belgium. Other speed records followed, as did countless
victories on race circuits and in rallies in Europe and the USA.
The XK120 paved the way for the Le Mans-winning C-Type and set the
foundation for Jaguar's astounding string of motorsport victories
Jaguar enjoyed throughout the 1950s. Today, the Jaguar XK120 is a
cornerstone of the collector car market, a spectacular British
sports car with passionate owners from the grassroots to the
seasoned collector. Some seventy years since it was first shocked
the world with its dramatic unveiling, the XK120 continues to
thrill with its timeless beauty and electrifying performance. Our
featured 1951 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe is a stunning example that has
been in the care of just one singular family since new. According
to the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, this car was
dispatched on September 27, 1951, and was distributed through the
famous Max Hoffman Imports in New York. It is one of just a few
cars finished in the rare optional color of Twilight Blue Metallic.
According to information provided by the previous owner, the car
was on the floor at Continental Motors in Hartford, Connecticut in
February 1952. A buyer, who worked in Hartford's insurance
industry, put down a deposit on the car and specified a set of
Borrani wire wheels be fitted before delivery. It seems that he
intended to take the Jaguar sports car racing, but before it was
titled to him, he realized that since all of his friends drove
Porsches, the Jaguar would be placed in a different class from his
friends. He then forfeited the deposit and never took ownership of
the XK120. Shortly after, the car's first and only owner spotted it
on the dealer lot and was able to buy the car - with credit given
for the other guy's deposit! The car was titled in Pennsylvania for
the first two years or so, then transferred to New Jersey and
issued a new title on March 8, 1954. A color copy of that title
remains in the history file. The family enjoyed the Jaguar for many
years and used on a regular basis until 1977 when it was parked
with approximately 65,000 miles on the clock. In about 2006, the
family handed the XK120 over to Eddie's Restoration; a Jaguar
specialist in Elmwood, New Jersey who embarked on a multi-year,
frame off, nut-and-bolt restoration. Meticulously rebuilt to
original specification and refinished in stunning Twilight Blue
over a dark blue leather interior, this XK120 is a total knockout.
Photos reveal the car was complete but in rough condition when the
project began, making the result all the more impressive. The
quality of the metal and paintwork is outstanding - with straight
panels and tight, consistent gaps. The color highlights the subtle
curves of the body, which features the correct slim bumpers and
delicate detailing. Importantly, the Borranis that were fitted
since new remain on the car, and it looks positively striking;
sitting subtly lower than stock on the sparkling alloy-rimmed
wheels and high-performance Excelsior black wall cross-ply tires.
The interior was also returned to factory specification, with
gorgeous dark blue Connolly hides on the seats and door cards, blue
Wilton wool carpets and breathtaking wood trim, only used on the
Fixed Head and Drophead models. Madera Concepts of California
magnificently restored the woodwork. Since the completion of the
restoration, the car has seen only light use, and the upholstery
remains taut and fresh in appearance. Careful effort was taken to
preserve the original ID tag, and the numbers-matching block and
cylinder head remain in place. Like the rest of the car, the engine
is impeccably detailed and very faithful to original spec. S.U.
carburetors, intake, and cam covers are in gleaming polished
aluminum, while the exhaust manifolds are correctly finished in
black porcelain; backed with a full stainless exhaust system.
Performance is outstanding, and the car is equally well-suited for
shows, rallies or casual touring. Not long after completion, the
family showed their freshly restored Jaguar at a JCNA meet hosted
by the Susquehanna Valley Chapter. On its first time out, the car
scored a remarkable 98.4 points and was awarded a second in class.
The result is a testament to the quality and care given to the
comprehensive restoration, as well as to one family's passion and
determination to return a beloved Jaguar to its former glory.