Vehicle Description
At the 1948 London Motor Show, Jaguar unveiled their first postwar
sports car to astonished onlookers. The spectacular new XK120
redefined the whole notion of sports cars in the post-war era,
combining race car performance in a stunningly beautiful and
production-ready package. Initially, the concept was intended
merely as a testbed for Jaguar's newest engine, the 3.4-liter "XK"
inline-six, yet the positive reception quickly convinced William
Lyons to put it into production. The technically-advanced engine
featured a sturdy iron block topped with an alloy, twin overhead
camshaft cylinder head, making 160 horsepower in standard form.
With such exotic specifications, it would have been understandable
if Jaguar chose to build the car in limited numbers. However,
engineers adopted new techniques allowing them to mass-produce the
exotic twin-cam engine, which allowed the XK120 to be considerably
cheaper than its performance rivals. Supporting the powertrain was
a robust chassis with independent front suspension, 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 fussy chrome trim and unnecessary frills, the XK120 body
was curvaceous and beautifully proportioned. The clean lines were
uninterrupted, particularly on cars with steel wheels and full
spats on the rear fenders. More than just a pretty face, the XK120
delivered extraordinary performance for the period. The RAC
officially timed a mostly-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 collector car with passionate owners ranging from the
grassroots to the seasoned, world-class collector. Over 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. This charming XK120 is a desirable
Open Two-Seat roadster equipped with the optional "Special
Equipment" package, and comes to us fresh from long-term ownership.
Presented with a fabulous careworn patina, this XK120 has seen
regular care and enjoyment over the past 50-plus years. It appears
to have never been entirely apart, instead, getting restoration
work only as needed. The history file shows that in the early
1960s, the car belonged to David Gunn of Manchester, Connecticut.
In April 1968, he sold the car for a whopping $350 to Mr. P.
Robins, later of Burlington, Vermont. For the next quarter-century
in Mr. Robins's stewardship, the Jaguar enjoyed regular care and
maintenance. Service records in his name go back to 1968 and
continue through 1994 when he sold the car to its most recent
owner. At some point in the 1970s, Mr. Robins had the XK120
repainted from its original gray to the white it wears today. In
1976, it got a new interior in the original red using correct
leather, carpet, and vinyl materials sourced from Jaguar specialist
Bill Bassett. In the hands of the most recent caretaker, the Jaguar
continued to enjoy consistent upkeep by marque specialists,
including Donovan Motorcar Service in Massachusetts, and Motorcars
Inc of Connecticut. The car presents today with an honest charm and
patina that reflects its years of cherished enjoyment. The white
paintwork is consistent and glossy, with as some imperfections and
evidence of repairs. The chrome trim is in good condition, having
aged well since its restoration in 1986. Chrome wire wheels are
excellent, wearing appropriate Dunlop Roadspeed tires, and the car
sits on the road with an even, proud stance. With over 40 years of
regular use, the red interior presents with the appeal of a
cherished pair of leather gloves. The leather seats show
appropriate levels of creasing and fading, yet they remain supple
and in fine order. Cockpit rails, door panels, kick panels, and the
vinyl-trimmed dash are excellent. Instruments and switches appear
in good condition and true to original specification, with the only
deviation being a discreet switch for the auxiliary cooling fan.
The 3.4-liter twin-cam inline-six appears in tidy condition under
the bonnet. The original numbers-matching cylinder head remains in
place, although the block is a period-correct replacement. The
engine bay is orderly, with the original grease gun on the
firewall, correct SU carburetors, and alloy cam covers. The
presentation is good enough condition to enjoy as is, with room to
improve the cosmetics if the next owner so desires. It is a good
running and driving car that is ready to be enjoyed as-is with only
minor fettling, although some additional sorting and a set of tires
may be needed before tackling longer-distance events. As one of the
most iconic and beautiful British sports cars of all time, the
XK120 is a perennial favorite among car collectors and enthusiasts.
The fantastic character of this OTS roadster is sure to appeal to
the enthusiastic driver, as this car is a superb choice for taking
advantage of a multitude of historic driving events and road
rallies around the world. Collectors that wish to buy classic cars
can rely on the experience and professionalism of our classic car
dealers at Hyman. Our classic car consignment program is a seamless
service designed for collectors to leverage our global network and
broker a private sale. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6533-1954-jaguar-xk120-roadster/
