For Sale: 1950 Jaguar XK in Santa Barbara, California

The Jaguar XK120, their first post-war sports car, was manufactured between 1948 and 1954. It succeeded the SS100, which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as show car for the new XK engine. It caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production. The "120" in its name referred to its 120mph top speed, which made it the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two convertible forms, roadster and drophead coupe.

This car, chassis number 670316, is an original lefthand drive American car sold new 21 June 1950 by the Jaguar distributor, Hoffman Company, in New York City. The original exterior paint color was suede green, also the color of the interior trim. The top was French grey.

The Jaguar Heritage Certificate does not name the original owner but we known the car was owned by Prescott Foster of Arlington, Louisiana, in 1960, whose brother Mike was governor for at that time. It is believed that Mike Foster may have been the original owner. In 1997 the car was sold to John Johnson of Franklin, Louisiana, certified on the current Texas title. Mr. Johnson was a successful steel manufacturer and participated in the the salvage of the sunken ocean liner the Andrea Doria. The car was next sold to Kenneth James of Converse, Texas, noted for his Jaguar restorations and for his collection. During his ownership the car had a full body-off restoration. One of the videos shows him driving and talking about the car.

The car comes with the soft top, tonneau cover, side curtains, handbook, oil gun, and miscellaneous hand tools. It also comes with the original four-speed transmission #JR3011, which has bee fully overhauled. Mr. James installed a Borg Warner five-speed transmission, which makes driving the car much more enjoyable.

Now being auctioned on Bring a Trailer