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1949 Jaguar XK120 news, pictures, and information
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The Jaguar XK120 celebrated its 60th birthday in 2008. The XK120 was the first sports car produced by Jaguar after the war. The name '120' came from the impressive 120 mph top speed of this vehicle.
The XK120 was a very important model for Jaguar. The company's impact on sports cars and road racing can't be overstated. During the early 1950's, road racing in California was taking off. International Motors was the authorized Jaguar Dealer in Hollywood, California and Roger Barlow was its owner. Barlow helped with the founding of the California Sports Car club.
Many of the early pioneers in racing came thru Barlow's International Motors. Phil Hill started as a young mechanic there. John Von Newman, Richie Ginther, Stan Nowak and other raced or were associated with the dealership.
This example is a rare alloy-bodied version. It was owned and raced by Roger Barlow. In fact, it competed at the very first California Sports Car Club race on April 16, 1950. While it still wears its race gear, the car has been judged at JCNA meets and has been celebrated at shows around the country.
In October of 1948 at the Earls Court Motor Show in London, Britain witnessed the emergence of the Jaguar XK120. It was a show-piece car for the Jaguar name and intended to be produced in low volume as a 'specialty car'. Initially dubbed the XK Open Two Seater Super Sport, it was quickly changed to the XK 120 to capitalize on the vehicles top speed - 120 miles per hour. The 'X' represented the 'experimental' engine type while the letter 'K' was the sequence.
William Lyons, the creator and owner of the Jaguar Cars Ltd. Company, had commissioned the chief engineer William Heynes to develop a modern sedan that could endure the post-war market place. What was designed and coupled to a six-cylinder dual overhead cam engine was truly a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
The 120 mile-per-hour fact was important; it made it the fastest standard production car in the world. The success of this vehicle was based on its performance, styling and value. Priced very affordably, it was often much less than the competition. The problem was that the XK 120 was intended to be produced in low volume. The very early models featured an aluminum body. After the introduction the demand for the vehicle was overwhelming. The body material was changed to metal so it could be produced on a production line, thus eliminating the need for the slow process of hand building each vehicle. Two-hundred and thirty-nine examples were produced with the aluminum shell. Most, except five or six models, were exported. The metal body was nearly identical to the aluminum except for some hard-to-spot panels that had minor differences in the curvature.
The XK 120 featured a 3442 cc 6-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower. The XK 120 SE produced 180 horsepower while the XK 120M produced 210. Maximum horsepower was achieved around 5000 RPM. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted on all four tires. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard while the SE models received Overdrive to increase the performance. The front suspension was independent with a live rear axle. After 1951 a heater was included as standard equipment.
The XK 120 was durable. In 1952 a XK 120 coupe was driven on a track in Montlhery, France by a team of racing drivers including the famous Stirling Moss. For seven days and night the vehicle was driven constantly. At the completion of the week, it had traveled over 16,860 miles and averaged 100 mph.
In 1951 the XK 120 was entered in the grueling 24-hour of Le Mans race. Three vehicles were purpose-built and dubbed the XK 120C model. The 'C' represented 'competition. This would be the first of five Jaguar victories at Le Mans in seven years. A Jaguar XK 120C won the event while averaging 93.49 miles-per-hour.
In the United States, Jaguar along with MG, are credited with jump-starting the American Sports Car market after World War II. Chevrolet would later answer with their Corvette. It was the sensual styling and performance of the British cars that stimulated the desires of the American public. Road & Track magazine performed independent testing and found the vehicle capable of 121.6 mph and a zero-to-sixty time of 10.1 seconds. It was claimed by many as the greatest touring car in the world.
The XK 120 was produced from 1949 through 1954 when it was replaced with the XK 140. During its life span 7,630 roadsters, 2,678 coupes and 1,769 convertibles were produced. Roadsters were dubbed 'OTS' or Open Top Sportsters. The 'DHC' meant 'Drop Head Coupe' while 'FHC' represented 'Fixed Head Coupe.
William Lyons, the creator and owner of the Jaguar Cars Ltd. Company, had commissioned the chief engineer William Heynes to develop a modern sedan that could endure the post-war market place. What was designed and coupled to a six-cylinder dual overhead cam engine was truly a masterpiece that has stood the test of time.
The 120 mile-per-hour fact was important; it made it the fastest standard production car in the world. The success of this vehicle was based on its performance, styling and value. Priced very affordably, it was often much less than the competition. The problem was that the XK 120 was intended to be produced in low volume. The very early models featured an aluminum body. After the introduction the demand for the vehicle was overwhelming. The body material was changed to metal so it could be produced on a production line, thus eliminating the need for the slow process of hand building each vehicle. Two-hundred and thirty-nine examples were produced with the aluminum shell. Most, except five or six models, were exported. The metal body was nearly identical to the aluminum except for some hard-to-spot panels that had minor differences in the curvature.
The XK 120 featured a 3442 cc 6-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower. The XK 120 SE produced 180 horsepower while the XK 120M produced 210. Maximum horsepower was achieved around 5000 RPM. Hydraulic drum brakes were fitted on all four tires. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard while the SE models received Overdrive to increase the performance. The front suspension was independent with a live rear axle. After 1951 a heater was included as standard equipment.
The XK 120 was durable. In 1952 a XK 120 coupe was driven on a track in Montlhery, France by a team of racing drivers including the famous Stirling Moss. For seven days and night the vehicle was driven constantly. At the completion of the week, it had traveled over 16,860 miles and averaged 100 mph.
In 1951 the XK 120 was entered in the grueling 24-hour of Le Mans race. Three vehicles were purpose-built and dubbed the XK 120C model. The 'C' represented 'competition. This would be the first of five Jaguar victories at Le Mans in seven years. A Jaguar XK 120C won the event while averaging 93.49 miles-per-hour.
In the United States, Jaguar along with MG, are credited with jump-starting the American Sports Car market after World War II. Chevrolet would later answer with their Corvette. It was the sensual styling and performance of the British cars that stimulated the desires of the American public. Road & Track magazine performed independent testing and found the vehicle capable of 121.6 mph and a zero-to-sixty time of 10.1 seconds. It was claimed by many as the greatest touring car in the world.
The XK 120 was produced from 1949 through 1954 when it was replaced with the XK 140. During its life span 7,630 roadsters, 2,678 coupes and 1,769 convertibles were produced. Roadsters were dubbed 'OTS' or Open Top Sportsters. The 'DHC' meant 'Drop Head Coupe' while 'FHC' represented 'Fixed Head Coupe.
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.
© 1998-2009. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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.
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