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, theXK120delivered 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 and comes
to us fresh from long-term ownership. Finished in British Racing
Green with a tan leather interior, it has a black cloth convertible
top, rear wheel spats, body color steel wheels with hubcaps and
trim rings. The car was comprehensively and correctly restored in
the late 1990s to a very high standard, and is a matching numbers
car according to the included Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
Certificate. In the years since the restoration was completed, this
car has benefitted from light and careful use, as well as extensive
maintenance to ensure it is in top running order. The body exhibits
excellent panel gaps and fit, and the paint work remains in fine
order, revealing the quality of the original restoration as well as
the care it has received since. The brightwork also presents very
well overall, however the front bumpers show a little mellowing
from age.
The original, numbers-matching 3.4-liter, 160 horsepower twin-cam
"XK" inline six rests under the hood. It is of course clean, tidy,
and well detailed, showing signs of regular maintenance. It runs
very well, breathing through original twin S.U. carburetors. The
four-speed manual gearbox feels tight and precise as it should, and
the road manners are quite good.
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. With its body-color disc wheels, full rear spats, and
delicate chrome bumpers, this is the XK in its purest form and is a
superb choice for taking advantage of a multitude of historic
driving events and road rallies around the world.
Offers welcome and trades considered
