This extremely attractive matching numbers 1954 XK was exported new to Venezuela where it was distributed to its first keeper by CAMAV of Caracas. At the time it was finished inside and out in Suede Green. At some stage it crossed into North America as it was from Washington DC that it was repatriated in 2014. The vendor purchased it from a private collection, since when the steering box, brake calipers and alternator have all received attention. These days `663 UYU' sports Ivory bodywork teamed with a Tan-coloured leather interior. It is considered to have `excellent' 3.4-litre XK engine and manual transmission, `very good' bodywork and interior trim, and `good' paintwork. It comes complete with Heritage certificate and an MOT valid to September 17 next year. A potentially fine addition to any classic car collection.

It is true to say that the phenomenal success of the XK120 was completely unexpected by Sir William Lyons and his team, whose post-war focus was the MKVII Saloon. However, as that car and its XK engine neared completion in 1948, it occurred to Lyons that a sports car powered by the stunning new DOHC unit would probably outperform almost anything else in production at the time. The extraordinary decision was therefore made to design and build an XK-powered two-seater in time for display at the Earls Court Motor Show of October 27 - an apparently impossible task in the time available. However, within a few days of the Bronze show car going on display, it was evident that a complete rethink was required - such was the euphoria with which the XK120 was greeted. In the end, production spanned five years and the car was produced in three guises - Roadster, Fixed Head Coupe and Drophead Coupe; the combined production volumes of which were 12,055.

PLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 15% incl. VAT (@ 20%)