Vehicle Description
With its sleek, beautifully flowing bodylines and powerful new DOHC
'XK' engine, Jaguar's XK 120 revolutionized sporting cars at one
stroke when it debuted at the September 1948 London Motor Show.
Masterfully styled by Jaguar founder William (later Sir William)
Lyons, the new roadster was not initially intended for
series-production. In fact, it was designed and built merely to
showcase Jaguar's spectacular new twin-cam inline 6-cylinder engine
while its intended recipient, the new Mark VII saloon, was still in
development and not quite ready for production. The importance of
the XK 120's arrival in late-1948 simply cannot be overstated.
Perhaps Jaguar expert Philip Porter said it best in his recent
Octane magazine retrospective article, stating the XK120 "...burst
into a very grey world that was still recovering from the ravages
of World War II, and which only served to heighten the drama of the
car's entrance." According to fellow Jaguar author Paul Skilleter,
the XK 120 was very much "...an afterthought car, an unplanned,
accidental offshoot of the saloon range, it enhanced the Jaguar
image enormously, besides earning many thousands of valuable
dollars." However, fierce demand dictated XK 120 production, which
commenced in 1949. Named 'XK 120' with the suffix representing the
car's factory-claimed top speed, the new Jaguar's sporting prowess
was soon confirmed by test driver Ron Sutton's 132-mph blast in a
lightly modified example on a Belgian highway in 1949. A huge boost
to Britain's postwar "Export or Die" economy during the challenging
postwar era, the XK 120 was also the basis of Jaguar's racing
dynasty and the early mount for many future driving legends
including Stirling Moss and Phil Hill. In various tune levels,
Jaguar's 'XK' engine famously propelled Jaguar's XK 120 C, C-Type,
and D-Type sports racers to international racing dominance,
including five Jaguar wins (1951, 1953, 1955-57) at the 24 Hours of
Le Mans. Production of the XK120 continued into 1954, with the
Roadster supplemented by the Fixed-Head Coupe in 1951 and Drophead
Coupe in 1953. As few as 2,678 XK 120 Fixed-Head Coupes (FHC) were
produced 1951-54, with the model featuring unforgettable styling
and an exquisitely wood-trimmed interior. Squarely aimed at the
lucrative export market, the overwhelming majority of FHC models
produced were shipped new to North America. Numbered 680893, this
1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed-Head Coupe was assembled early in March
1953 and dispatched to the United States via famed New York
City-based European-automobile distributor Max Hoffman. At some
point in previous ownership, the car was restored and refinished
from its original Dove Gray to its current and striking shade of
Champagne gold. Subsequently, the Jaguar joined a private
collection, remaining there until recently. Rear-wheel spats,
body-color steel disc-type wheels, and period style blackwall tires
enhance the gorgeous, sleek exterior of this XK 120 FHC. The
decidedly luxurious character of this XK 120 FHC is heightened by
its taut and attractive black leather upholstery, proper Smiths
instruments, and finely restored, visually striking burled wood
interior trim. Crucially, this XK 120 FHC maintains excellent
integrity with its original, numbers-matching 3.4-liter engine
block and cylinder head - confirmed by the corresponding Jaguar
Daimler Heritage Trust certificate that accompanies the sale of the
vehicle. In addition the Heritage document, this XK 120 FHC
includes a factory tool kit and mounted spare wheel. A wonderful
example throughout, this 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed-Head Coupe
remains highly striking and ready for continued enjoyment and
appreciation on the road, handsomely representing the
ground-breaking model line of 'XK' sports cars that truly
established the Jaguar legend. Please contact Hyman Ltd for more
details. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7121-1953-jaguar-xk120-fixed-head-coupe/
