1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Registration no. NAS 215
Chassis no. 671958
Engine no. W4221-8

'We claimed 120 mph (for the XK 120), a speed unheard of for a production car in those days' - William Heynes, Chief Engineer, Jaguar Cars. Conceived and constructed in but a few months, the XK120 debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show where the stunning-looking roadster caused a sensation, the resulting demand for what was then the world's fastest production car taking Jaguar by surprise. It was immediately obvious that the slow-to-produce alloy bodywork would have to go, and the car was swiftly re-engineered in steel. The work of Jaguar boss William Lyons himself and one of the most beautiful shapes ever to grace an automobile, the body was conceived as a coachbuilt aluminium structure for the simple reason that Jaguar expected to sell no more than 200 XK120s in the first year! The car's heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine, a 3.4-litre 'six' embodying the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminium-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sports cars and, in keeping with the Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupé and drophead coupé versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment (SE) package which boosted power to 180bhp. With either engine and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising. This XK120's accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate states that it was built in left-hand drive form in March 1952 and despatched to Jaguar's distributor Hoffman in New York, USA. It was delivered finished in Pastel Green with Suede Green interior trim. The earliest record on file is a copy of a State of North Carolina Certificate of Title issued on 2nd February 1953 to one Charles E Goggi of Tryon, NC who may well have been its first owner. In July 1982, the Jaguar was purchased from Mr Goggi by one E Dixon-Barker (a Middlesborough resident) and brought to the UK (bill of sale on file). In 1990 David Royle & Co of County Durham undertook a complete 'last nut and bolt' rebuild, as evidenced by bills on file totalling over £40,000. Carried out to concours standards, the work included an engine rebuild, new wheels, etc, etc. Mr Dixon-Barker then sold the XK to Paul Gibson who entrusted Royle with converting it to right-hand drive, upgrading the brakes and fitting a C-Type cylinder head in 2003 (bills available). The next owner, Jason Granite, had the car maintained regardless of cost by Stratstone Jaguar, who serviced it from 2003 to 2007. In 2010 'NAS 215' was bought by Steve Murphy who had the engine rebuilt by Brian Windle in May 2011 and then sent the car to Guy Broad to be returned to concours condition, the work being completed in November 2011 at a cost of £2,600. The current vendor, a Bugatti Owners' Club member, bought the Jaguar from Steve Murphy (since deceased). While in the present ownership the car has been well maintained and used, including a tour of North America in November 2012. A new starter ring gear and clutch were fitted in December 2012, and in March 2013 a service was carried out by Auto Classico of Bristol. This service included an engine tune, suspension adjustment and fitting a new front bumper. Offered with the aforementioned documentation, old-style logbook, current road fund licence and Swansea V5C, this beautiful XK120 drives superbly, requires nothing and is ready to use.