1953 Jaguar XK120

The Jaguar XK120 was conceived and constructed in just a few months before making its debut at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show in 1948. The demand for what was then the world's fastest production car took Jaguar by surprise and they found it difficult to keep pace with the demand, forcing them to re-think the XK120's method of construction. The body had been conceived as a coachbuilt, aluminum paneled structure with sales not expected to exceed 200 units in its first year. In conjunction with the Pressed Steel Fisher Company, a new all-steel paneled body was developed. Power was from the XK engine which had been developed prior to the war and had been intended for Jaguar's forthcoming Mark VII saloon. The six-cylinder 3.4-liter engine had a modern design with twin overhead camshafts, an aluminum-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings, and produced 160 horsepower. The chassis was essentially a shortened version of the Mark V saloon and employed the William Heynes' torsion bar independent front suspension. In May 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute, recorded a speed of 126 mph with its hood and side screens in place. With the hood and windscreen removed and an under-tray fitted, it had a record speed of 132 mph.

Coupe (introduced in 1951) and drophead coupe versions followed, along with the Special Equipment (SE) package with 180 hp for customers seeking even more power.

Production of the XK120 continued until 1954 with 12,078 examples built. 709 were left-hand drive SE dropheads. A total of 2,679 examples were Fixed head Coupes. 7,374 examples were steel-bodied roadsters.

The 1953 Jaguar XK120
In the United States, the Jaguar XK120 Sport Roadster (Open Two Seater) had a base price of $4,040, the Hardtop Coupe (Fixed Head) listed at $4,065, and the Sport Convertible (Drophead) at $4,250 (prices in USD). The standard 210 CID cubic-inch straight-six engine delivered 160 horsepower and the SE package boosted output to 180 hp. A four-speed manual transmission was standard, hydraulic brakes were front and rear, and steering was by a Buman recirculating ball.

The XK-120M Sport Roadster was priced at $4,435, the Hardtop Coupe at $4,460, and the Sport Convertible at $4,650.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2019