DESCRIPTION
One of the most influential sports cars of the immediate post-war era, Jaguar’s XK120 stunned the world when it first appeared at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. The combination of streamlined styling and a powerful overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine put the XK120 in a league of its own, with a top speed of 120 mph in an era when most cars could barely top ‘the ton’. In a Britain still struggling to recover from the dark days of the war, the XK120 captured the public’s imagination in a way few cars before or since have done and Jaguar successfully exploited this through a series of record breaking attempts and of course, on the track. A strong showing in competition certainly did the XK120s reputation little harm – in its most highly developed form, as the XK120C (or C-Type as it is usually referred to), the model won the gruelling Le Mans 24-hour race on no less than two occasions while standard cars were successfully campaigned all over the world. Powered by a brand new 3.4-litre twin-cam six-cylinder engine developing 160 horsepower, the XK120 was the fastest production car of the day. Initially available as a roadster only, Jaguar added a stylish fixed-head coupe and more luxuriously equipped drophead coupe to the line-up. With most earmarked for export, few XK120s were built in right-hand drive guise and of the 1,175 roadsters made for RHD markets, just 192 steel-bodied examples were delivered in Australia. As values of the XK sports models have soared in recent years, XK120 roadsters have become increasingly sought after and finding an original, Australian delivered example is all too rare. Had the car been produced in the limited numbers originally envisaged by Jaguar, values today would arguably be on a par with low volume exotics from Aston Martin, Ferrari or Maserati – cars in whose company the XK120 can stand tall.

HISTORY
- New Zealand-delivered XK120 Roadster
- Restored to a high standard
- Offered by long-term owner

As documented in Terry McGrath and John Elmgreen’s invaluable reference work “The Jaguar XK120 in the Southern Hemisphere”, chassis 660833 was completed on June 25, 1951 and originally finished in Cream with two-tone biscuit/tan upholstery. Supplied through Shorters Car Sales of Auckland, the Jaguar’s first owner was William Harlow of Cambridge, New Zealand and the car passed through several further keepers in the Dunedin and Christchurch areas, reportedly restored there by 1971. Eventually sold to Sydney barrister and prominent Jaguar collector Michael Robinson (he owned several XKs), the XK120 was further restored to a high standard by Classic Autocraft before passing to the current Sydney owner approximately 22 years ago. In 2017 the Jaguar underwent a comprehensive, no expense spared bare-metal refurbishment by renowned marque specialists All Classic Car Restorations of Brookvale, using brand new aluminium doors imported from England and new wire wheels. Refinished in red with contrasting biscuit leather upholstery, the XK120 remains in fabulous condition throughout, upgraded with front disc brakes for improved driveability. Currently registered in NSW on the appropriate plates XK-111 to March 9th 2019, the Jaguar comes with a remanufactured folding roof and is a fabulous looking, thoroughly usable example of the classic XK open two seater.

Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.