 1951 XK120 | 1953 XK120  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
1952 Jaguar XK 120 news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 | Roadster Chassis Num: 673031 Engine Num: W 6332-8 | |
| Sold for $88,000 at 2007 Gooding & Company. | ||
The prototype, which was shown at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, was completed in just six weeks. The response was sensational; the car was modern, smooth, and seductive. In June of 1948 the XK-'120' reached the advertised 120 mph top speed, with a timed run on Belgium's Jabbeke Highway. It was the world's fastest production car at that point in history.
Production cars were ready by July of 1949, with the early examples constructed from aluminum. After 240 aluminum-bodied cars were built, the bodies were changed over to steel. A fixed-head coupe was added to the line-up in August of 1951. A drophead coupe with roll-up windows appeared in 1953.
Between 1949 and 1954, there were 12,078 examples of the XK120 produced. Over 10,000 were left-hand drive meaning many were destined for export.
This left-hand drive Roadster was delivered new to Los Angeles. It has been thoroughly restored since new, with many parts replaced or rebuilt as needed. The seats and dashboard are red and biscuit leather. The trunk is covered with correct Moquette, Hardua and vinyl. The black canvas top includes side curtains, tonneau cover and storage bags.
In 2007, it was brought to the Gooding & Company Auction held in Pebble Beach, California where it was estimated to sell for $95,000-$125,000. It was offered without reserve, which worked well for the buyer, who purchased the car for $88,000, including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
 |  | HardTop Coupe |
The cars were immediate cult icons. Piloted by the rich and famous, such as Clark Gable, Tyrone Power and Jayne Mansfield, the XK 120 cut a dashing figure on Sunset Boulevard and on the race track.
Production began in September, 1951, and continued for three years. The coupe is thought by many to be the most elegant form. So, with this in mind, the owners had this car, equipped with gaiters and custom luggage, and restored by the Gassman Automotive Products Company of Waynesboro, VA.
 |  |  | Roadster |
This car was offered for sale at the 2007 Blackhawk Collection at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance with a price tag of $150,000. The car left the weekend under new ownership.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2007
 |  | HardTop Coupe Chassis Num: 679195 Engine Num: W3970-8 |
| Sold for $82,500 at 2010 Gooding & Company. | ||
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011
 |  |  | Roadster Chassis Num: 671615 |
| Sold for $88,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. Sold for $93,500 at 2012 RM Auctions. | |||
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Arizona sale where it was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $120,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $88,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2011
 |  | HardTop Coupe Chassis Num: 679724 Engine Num: W5037-8 |
| Sold for $132,000 at 2013 Gooding & Company. | ||
In April of 2007, it was shown at the Gran Concurso Internacional de Elegancia in Mexico City, where it was awarded Best in Show. It also earned First in Class honors from the JCNA. It was soon purchased by an American and was shipped to his home in San Diego, California. It was later offered for sale in August 2008 at Pebble Beach. The present owner purchased the car at that time.
In 2013, the vehicle was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's Scottsdale, Arizona auction. It was estimated to sell for $130,000 - $160,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, it had been sold for the sum of $132,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
The Jaguar XK120 was designed to be a prestigious vehicle and produced in low numbers. The designation '120' represented the vehicles top speed of 120 miles-per-hour. At the time, it was the fastest production car in the world.
The British automotive industry was greatly influenced by World War II. Many manufacturers went out of business due to the lack of funds, fuel and supply shortages, or their factories had been destroyed during the war. In order to stay in business, a solid production line was required that could compete with its class of vehicles. William Lyons, owner of Jaguar, did so by creating a new class - one that was faster, more reliable, stylish, and cheaper than any other vehicle on the market.
To gain industry recognition, Lyons knew that he needed a show car that was revolutionary and bold. Lyons handled the styling while his chief engineer, William Heynes, was tasked with designing the mechanical components. When the vehicle was displayed at Earls Court, the reaction was overwhelming. Originally, Lyons planned to make between 100 and 200 examples. After the public reaction to the car and to keep up with demand, he decided to change the body from hand-formed aluminum to all-steel construction.
The body of the car was reminiscent to the 'French Curves' produced by manufacturers such as Bugatti and Delahaye of the early 1930's and 1940's. They were created in three different body styles, roadster, fixed head, and drop head (convertible).
The vehicle was powered by a 160 horsepower, 3.4 liter, inline-six cylinder engine. Peak horsepower was achieved at 5000 RPM. The 120-mph was the promised speed, the top speed of the vehicle was around 126-132 mph depending on the trim of the vehicle.
The vehicle was designed as a touring car. However, many of the vehicles were raced. Their main weaknesses were their drum brakes which wore quickly, and their steering which was heavy and less responsive when compared to other purpose-built racing vehicles.
In 1951, Jaguar entered the grueling 24-hour of Le Mans endurance race. Three XK120C, the 'C' representing 'competition', were entered. One of the three entrants won the event.
In 1952, an XK120 was driven continuously for seven days and nights around a track located in Montlhery, France. After more than 16,000 miles in one week, the vehicle once again proved its endurance capabilities.
In 1954 production ceased. Over 12,000 examples were produced.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe British automotive industry was greatly influenced by World War II. Many manufacturers went out of business due to the lack of funds, fuel and supply shortages, or their factories had been destroyed during the war. In order to stay in business, a solid production line was required that could compete with its class of vehicles. William Lyons, owner of Jaguar, did so by creating a new class - one that was faster, more reliable, stylish, and cheaper than any other vehicle on the market.
To gain industry recognition, Lyons knew that he needed a show car that was revolutionary and bold. Lyons handled the styling while his chief engineer, William Heynes, was tasked with designing the mechanical components. When the vehicle was displayed at Earls Court, the reaction was overwhelming. Originally, Lyons planned to make between 100 and 200 examples. After the public reaction to the car and to keep up with demand, he decided to change the body from hand-formed aluminum to all-steel construction.
The body of the car was reminiscent to the 'French Curves' produced by manufacturers such as Bugatti and Delahaye of the early 1930's and 1940's. They were created in three different body styles, roadster, fixed head, and drop head (convertible).
The vehicle was powered by a 160 horsepower, 3.4 liter, inline-six cylinder engine. Peak horsepower was achieved at 5000 RPM. The 120-mph was the promised speed, the top speed of the vehicle was around 126-132 mph depending on the trim of the vehicle.
The vehicle was designed as a touring car. However, many of the vehicles were raced. Their main weaknesses were their drum brakes which wore quickly, and their steering which was heavy and less responsive when compared to other purpose-built racing vehicles.
In 1951, Jaguar entered the grueling 24-hour of Le Mans endurance race. Three XK120C, the 'C' representing 'competition', were entered. One of the three entrants won the event.
In 1952, an XK120 was driven continuously for seven days and nights around a track located in Montlhery, France. After more than 16,000 miles in one week, the vehicle once again proved its endurance capabilities.
In 1954 production ceased. Over 12,000 examples were produced.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2008
| Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' To Be Featured At Auctions America's Fort Lauderdale Sale | |
 | • Striking 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' headlines Auctions America's Fort Lauderdale Collector Car Auction, March 22 – 24 • Regarded as South Florida's premier collector car auction, multi-day sale expected to feature more than 550 quality collector cars • Additional highlights include: a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight, a 1932 Lincoln Dual-Cowl Phaeton, a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Roadster, a 1954 Kaiser-Darrin Roadster, a 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible and a 201...[Read more...] |
| Barrett-Jackson Generates Nearly $109 Million In Sales | |
 | • Sets Record Attendance At The 42nd Annual Scottsdale Auction • Batmobile sells for $4.62 million dollars to a lifelong fan to worldwide audience; marks second-highest single-car sale at Barrett-Jackson •1,343 cars sold •$108,766,069 gross sales – A 17% increase over 2012 •300,000 in attendance •Charity cars – 21 total for $5,005,000 Scottsdale, Ariz. – Jan. 22, 2013 – Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™, generated nearly $1...[Read more...] |
| Sold! Barrett-Jackson's 5000 Series Generates More Than $29.2 Million In Scottsdale | |
 | Original 1966 TV Batmobile Sells for $4.62 Million at The World's Greatest Collector Car Auctions™ and New World Records are Set January 19, 2013 •LOT #5037 The Original Batmobile is the highest selling car at the company's annual Scottsdale Auction •LOT #5019 1947 Talbot-Lago T-26 Grand Sport sets a new world record for the model •LOT #5034 1956 Chrysler Diablo Concept Convertible sets a new world record for Chrysler concept cars Scottsdale, Ariz. (Jan. 20, 2013) – Barr...[Read more...] |
| A Piece of Hollywood and Jaguar History | |
 | Clark Gable's 'Best in Class' 1949 XK120 This weekend, a very special XK120 graced the judging field at the 62nd Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. This particular XK120 is significant, not only because it was named 'Best in Class,' but because its first owner was none other than Hollywood icon Clark Gable, a devoted Jaguar enthusiast. Gable's XK120, chassis No. 670003, was judged 'Best in Class' in the 'Postwar Sports Open' category. The car is owned by Mr. Jeff Lotman, of Los Ang...[Read more...] |
| Anticipation Building for RM's Dingman Collection 2012 Sale | |
 | Anticipation is building for RM's eagerly awaited Dingman Collection 2012 sale, scheduled June 9 – 10 in Hampton, New Hampshire. A 'labour of love' carefully amassed over many years by prominent collector Michael Dingman, a former Ford Motor Company director for over 21 years, the distinguished collection features a remarkable series of automobiles along with one of the world's most impressive automotive sign collections. In total, the upcoming sale will feature nearly 50 vehicles and more t...[Read more...] |
 1952
Jaguar
models |
| Jaguar C-Type |
| Jaguar Mark VII |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Audi | BMW |
| Honda | Infiniti |
| Land Rover | Lexus |
| Mercedes-Benz | Nissan |
| Saab | Subaru |
| Toyota | Volkswagen |
| Volvo | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1952 |
| Aston Martin DB3 |
| Jowett Jupiter |
| Lancia Aurelia |
| Siata Daina |
| Volkswagen Barndoor Westfalia Camper |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1952 |
| Nash Healey LeMans ($4,060-$5,910) |
Average Auction Sale: $79,741 |
| Jaguar: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Jaguar History |
| Other models by Jaguar |
| Manufacturer Website |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.5 Litre C-Type D-Type E-Series | Mark Mark IV Mark IX Mark V | Mark VII Mark X S-Type SS 100 | SS II X-Type XF XJ | XJ-S XJ220 XJR Group 44, IMSA, and Group C XK | XK Series XKSS |
| 1951 XK120 | 1953 XK120 |
