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1952 Jaguar XK 120

Sir William Lyons and the team at Browns Lane combined elegance and performance with the XK120, introduced on October 27th of 1948 at the Earls Court Motor Show, shocking the automotive community and creating one of the most universally admired cars ever made. It forced other manufacturers to revisit their respective drawing boards as it brought style to new heights. Its robust performance was thanks to its 6-cylinder twin-overhead-camshaft engine which helped it achieve a speed of 132 mph on May 30, 1949, at the Jabbeke-Aeltre Highway in Belgium, making it the fastest production car in the world. The sweeping roofline and sensuous lines evoked the pre-war designs of the Bugatti Type 57, emphasizing its true Grand Touring character.

1952 Jaguar XK 120 photo
HardTop Coupe
Chassis #: 679195
Engine #: W3970-8
View info and history
Auction entries : 2
During its production lifespan, 12,055 cars were built with about 2,580 being fixed-head coupes. The instant success of the XK120 had caught Jaguar by surprise and it soon became obvious that the ash-framed alloy coachwork would have to be re-engineered, switching to steel after the first 250 alloy-bodied cars had been built. The XK120 had been created in a matter of months and had been conceived as a coachbuilt, aluminum paneled structure for the simple reason that Jaguar expected to sell no more than 200 XK120s in the first year. In conjunction with the Pressed Steel Fisher Company, a new all-steel paneled body was developed retaining the same appearance as the coachbuilt original, while differing in minor external details.

The two-seater model was joined by a fixed-head coupe version, and a drophead coupe followed in 1953. In 1954, the XK120 was superseded by the XK140, though the 120 was to prove the most popular of the series.

The chassis of the XK120 was essentially a shortened version of the Mark V saloon which had been introduced at the same time, with torsion bar independent front suspension and a live rear axle mounted on semi-elliptic springs. Steering was by a recirculating ball and braking was courtesy of Lockheed hydraulic drums all round. The alloy-headed DOHC 3.4-liter engine produced 160 bhp in standard form and 180 BHP in SE (Special Equipment) guise. With the C-Type head installed the engine offered closer to 200 horsepower.

1952 Jaguar XK 120 photo
Roadster
Chassis #: 672911
The XK120 and its C and D Type successors would bring more credit and acclaim to Britain than any other marque. It set new standards of handling, comfort, and performance for British sports cars, and there was nothing to touch it at the price. Regardless of engine option or bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120 mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020

Related Reading : Jaguar XK120 History

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....
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1952 Jaguar XK 120 Vehicle Profiles

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$255-$4,050
1952 XK 120
$4,080-$17,350
1952 Jaguar XK 120 Price Range: $4,050 - $4,080

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Other 1952 Jaguar Models
$4,120 - $4,290

XK120

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 160.00hp
$3,945 - $3,945
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 160.00hp
$3,950 - $3,950
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 150.00hp
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 160.00hp
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 180.00hp
$3,855 - $4,000
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 180.00hp
$4,050 - $4,080
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID.
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.00 CID., 160.00hp
6 cyl., 210.00 CID., 250.00hp
$4,040 - $4,255
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 160.00hp
6 cyl., 210.00 CID., 180.00hp
$3,350 - $4,000
102.00 in.
6 cyl., 210.04 CID., 160.00hp

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