A car-starved Britain, still trundling around in perpendicular pre-war hangover vehicles, glimpsed the future in October 1948 with the launch of the Jaguar XK120 at the Earls Court Motor Show. Production commenced in 1949 in Coventry, and the XK's swoopy shape and stylish occupants would become a common sight on British roads over the next 15 years. It heralded the arrival of Jaguar's famous 3.4-litre twin overhead camshaft XK engine, (the basis of all their engines for the next 25 years) with an alloy cylinder head and twin side-draught SU carburettors producing nearly 160bhp. The “120” referred to the car's top speed which, at the time, made it the fastest production car in the world. Jaguar seems to have always had a flair for marketing and to illustrate that the car's top speed was not a figment of a publicist's imagination, in May 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute, an XK120 with its hood and side screens in place recorded a speed of 126mph, and no less than 132mph with the hood and windscreen detached and an undertray fitted. The car was in almost instant demand and went on to spawn the famous XK lineage of fast and elegant sports cars.

Finished in Opalescent Silver with glorious Red Hide, this left-hand drive, Special Equipment XK 120 drophead coupé has been enjoyed by just three owners from new and has benefitted from a comprehensive restoration which was finally completed in 2015, giving its owner time to shakedown and enjoy the Jaguar prior to its shipment to the UK from the United States in 2018. Originally rolling off the production line in May 1954 finished in Pastel Green with a Suede Green interior, it was to remain with its first owner until the 1990s at which point a change of ownership saw the car enter the show circuit in the US until remedial work beckoned. Commencing in 2008, a comprehensive rebuild ensued which occupied some seven years prior to being purchased by its third and present custodian who enlisted the assistance of internationally recognized marque specialists, Bassett's Jaguar in Wyoming, Rhode Island, to complete the build.

Still in superb order throughout, this rare and desirable XK120 in SE specification is accompanied by an extensive history file, FIVA papers, restoration photographs and its Jaguar Heritage Certificate confirming the matching engine and head numbers. Now ready to be enjoyed once again, be that out on the open road or gracing the club circuit, with all that has to offer, this impressive XK DHC warrants your early inspection to fully appreciate this rare and desirable Jaguar.