"The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954; Jaguar's first sports car since the SS100, which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation thus persuading Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put the car into production. The '120' in its name referred to its 120mph top speed which made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two open versions; first as the roadster then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and also as a closed, or 'fixedhead' coupé from 1951. With an alloy cylinder head and twin side-draft SU carburettors, the double overhead-cam 3.4 litre straight-six XK engine was comparatively advanced for mass-produced units of its time. This same basic design of the XK engine, later modified into 3.8 litre and 4.2 litre versions, survived late into the 1980s.
Manufactured in August 1950, this XK120 Roadster is one of the earliest XK’s built in steel after the factory moved away from aluminium over an ash frame. Notable features indicating this as an early car include the separate chrome side lights, the lack of wing vents, the early ‘studless’ cam cover engine and tall carburettor dashpots. Built at the Browns Lane Jaguar factory in Coventry, the accompanying letter from Jaguar Heritage confirms that the car was sold directly and shipped to Brylaw Motors of Melbourne, Australia. The car remained in Australia up until the late 1980’s when the owner, a Mr. Hall shipped the car back to the UK when his job for Coca-Cola took him from the South Pacific region to Europe. He later went on to become Vice President of Coca-Cola in Europe and presumably, this influenced the decision to move.
The car boasts an impressive specification including a five-speed gearbox, telescopic shock absorber upgrade, polyurethane suspension bushes, aluminium fuel tank, electric Kenlow cooling fan, adjustable electric power steering, aluminium sports bucket seats, Brooklands wind deflectors, recessed Monza style fuel filler cap, bonnet strap and bonnet louvres. To add to all this, the car has also benefitted from recently being repainted to a high level in British Racing Green and retrimmed in tan leather. The vendor reports the car to run and drive very well and is only offered for sale to fund a new acquisition.
Supplied with a V5C registration document and file of receipts amongst other information. The Roadster version of the beautiful XK120 has always been the most coveted of the XK120 line up and to find such an early car with subtle, but practical modifications is a rare find. Consigned by Will Penrose.
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