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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.

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 In 1954, the XK120 was superseded by the XK140, though the 120 was to prove the most popular of the series.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.

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 Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe

Jaguar is an iconic British brand with a long and storied heritage of dashing styling and memorable racing victories stretching back many decades. It was founded in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company by Sir William Lyons and began building SS Jaguar sedan cars in 1935.

After WWII the company found fame with sexy sports cars, starting in 1949 with the XK-120 roadster. It was so named for its reported top speed of 120 mph. Sportier road models as well as purpose-built race cars followed, earning considerable success competing on twisty road racing circuits on both sides of the Atlantic.

The XK120 was designed as a touring car but enjoyed much success in racing. Their main weaknesses were drum brakes which wore quickly and heavy steering. The front drum brakes have been replaced with discs to make the car more drivable.

This car was originally imported through Max Hoffman Motors in 1952 and spent many of its early years in the New York City area. He was responsible for bringing great European cars to America. Later it ended up in Florida where the current owners purchased it in 2006. They undertook an exhaustive six-year restoration to Concours standards including a complete engine rebuild.

Many of the OEM parts were sourced from around the world and new woodwork was made in England by a former Rolls-Royce craftsman. A proper and correct Connolly leather and Wilton wood interior was also installed. This car is painted Indigo Blue and while technically not a correct Jaguar color until 1956, it does match the 'Ecurie Ecosse' racing team colors from Scotland of the early 1950s.

The car is powered by a 160 horsepower, 3.4 liter, inline-six-cylinder engine with twin SU carburetors. Peak horsepower was achieved at 5000 rpm. 120 mph was the promised top speed from the factory however the top speed of the vehicle was actually around 126-132 mph depending on the trim of the vehicle. It was the fastest production car available at that time.

HardTop Coupe

The XK120 Jaguar was introduced at Earl's Court, London, in 1948. It was an instant hit due to its beauty, reasonable cost and outstanding performance. It was years ahead of its rivals in many ways, especially in engine design. The 120 carried a 3.4-liter, dual overhead cam, inline six producing 160 horsepower, propelling the car to 132 MPH, which was unheard of speed for a production car.

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
Chassis number: 673031
Engine number: W 6332-8

The DOHC six-cylinder engine found in the post-War Jaguars was developed by Sir. William Lyons, the founder of Jaguar, and engineers William Heynes, Claude Baily and Walter Hassan in the mid-1940s. Harry Weslake consulted on the crossflow head.

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 Dan Vaughan

Roadster

In 1949, a Jaguar XK120 achieved the title of the 'World's Fastest Production Car' at 132.596 mph on a closed autoroute in Jabbeke, Belgium. When this record was broken by a Pegaso Z-102 in 1953, Jaguar chairman William Lyons called Norman Dewis, Jaguar's chief test engineer, and asked what he was going to do about it. Dewis and the Jaguar team headed back to Jabbeke in October with a car that had undergone a number of subtle modifications to its powertrain and aerodynamics, including a full under shield, a metal tonneau cover and streamlined headlamps. The most noticeable feature was a Perspex 'bubble' canopy that was bolted down once Dewis was in the car. After inflating the nearly slick tires to 50 psi to reduce drag, Dewis smashed the Pegaso record with a top speed of 172.412 mph, verified by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium, which brought the laurels back to Jaguar. The XK120 was once again the fastest car in the world.

Roadster

This 1952 Jaguar XK120 Special Roadster is an ideal candidate for Rally or Vintage Road Sport. It is one of the world's finest XK120 roadsters having been custom-built with a complete frame off restoration and many unique and one-of-a-kind Type C racing features. The engine is adapted to 'Type C' racing specs with larger diameter values and hardened valve seats to accept unleaded fuel. Exhaust is a large diameter stainless steel system; new porcelain headers; large 2-inch 'sandcast' Type C racing carburetors; louvered hood; metal race tonneau cover; complete rally suspension tuning; and Type C alloy race wheels. This car is scary fast and the owner personally verifies that it will easily reach in excess of 120MPH before letting off the throttle. A set of special racing brakes is provided to allow for additional stopping power.

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 Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 679195
Engine number: W3970-8

This 1952 Jaguar XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auction in Monterey, CA where it was expected to sell between $110,000-$130,000. It has a walnut trim interior and red exterior. Since new, it has been treated to a body-off restoration. At the conclusion of the sale, the vehicle had been sold for $90,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: 671615

This XK120 is finished in its original Pastel Green Metallic with dark green leather. The car was restored in the 1990s and since that time has been kept in climate-controlled storage and driven barely 300 miles. It was originally sold by Hoffman Motor Company on Park Avenue in New York City.

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 Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 679724
Engine number: W5037-8

This XK120 Fixed Head Coupe was given a restoration in 2007. The car was dispatched from the Jaguar works on June 23rd of 1952, about a month after the build began. It left as a left-hand-drive example finished in silver metallic over a red leather interior. Delivered new to distributor Jorge Barranco in Mexico City, it was soon sold to its first owner. In the mid-2000s, it was acquired by Julio Cesar basin. In 2007, it was given a restoration and finished in the period color scheme of Pastel Green over a two-tone interior of green and biscuit leather.

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 Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe

Manufactured on January 22, 1952 it was shipped to New York, New York. The first owner was Reverend Stanley O. Yonker. In 2012 the car was found dismantled and in many boxes in a Lakeland, Florida warehouse. An 18-month restoration was performed with numerous upgrades.

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 679393
Engine number: W4293-8

This Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe is an original left-hand-drive example that was built on February 20th of 1952. It was shipped to Los Angeles and then sold new via Charles Hornburg's West Coast Jaguar Distributorship. One of its owners kept the car for nearly 50 years in the Seattle area and then took it with him to California and Texas during his tenure. The owner parted with it in 2009; the new owner began a two-year, complete, body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed in April of 2013.

Three months after its restoration, the car was shown twice and awarded Second in Class at the Dana Point Concours d'Elegance and Second in Class in championship-level judging at the San Diego Jaguar Clubs North America Concours d'Elegance. It was also shown at the 2013 Quail Motorsports Gathering in August.

The car is finished in its original exterior color of Cream over a Shell leather with contrasting black piping interior. There are steel wheels, rear-wheel spats, two-pieces of custom-fitted luggage, and an original set of driving lamps. There is a removable auxiliary electric fan, a complete tool kit, the original grease gun and foot pump, a reproduction owner's operating instruction manual, a restoration book with receipts, and a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: S671957

This Jaguar XK120 was completed by Jaguar on March 11th of 1952, finished in the color combination of pastel green with a darker suede green interior and a contrasting fawn top. It was delivered through Hornburg Jaguar to foreign-car dealership Peter Satori Motors of Pasadena, California. The first owner was Dr. H.D. Fremont, of La Crescenta, on April 24, 1952. Shortly after taking delivery, Mr. Fremont had a dual exhaust routed through the rear fenders to be installed, in order to resolve a steep incline issue with his driveway. Dr. Fremont used the car until 1962 when it was then placed into storage. On April 24, 1977, it was sold to La Crescenta resident John Wells. At the time, the car had 13,399 miles on the odometer. In 1980, after having been shown at several prominent events, the car was retired from the road and placed on jack stands in the back of Mr. Wells's garage.

This an unrestored and original car. The paintwork remains largely original, and the leather upholstery and carpets are well preserved. The undercarriage retains factory chalk marks, it has its original top, tires, windshield glass, and spark plug loom. It has the original Lucas batteries, complete with their top caps.

by Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe

The XK120 was introduced at the 1948 London Motor Show. The new model paved the way for the marque in the vital export markets such as the USA and also soon established Jaguar as a force to be reckoned with in competition. In August 1952 this specially prepared car was taken to Montlhery near Paris and was driven for seven days and seven nights at an average speed of 100.32 miles per hour including all stops. There were four drivers: Stirling Moss, Jack Fairman, Bert Hadley and Leslie Johnson who set nine new international and world records, covering 16,851 miles in 168 hours.

Roadster
Chassis number: 67623

The Jaguar XK120 two-seater roadster was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show where it caused a sensation. The following year, Clark Gable, already the owner of a Jaguar MK IV Saloon, purchased the first left-hand drive XK120 roadster in America, and he liked it so much that in the ensuing three years, he purchased several more. Gable bought this particular XK120 roadster in 1952 and decided to revise it to his own design. He sent it to George and Sam Barris, the original Hollywood 'Kings of Kustoms,' for a few tasteful modifications, blending the front fenders and headlights and smoothing the boot line by removing the recessed license plate holder. The car was then finished in Barris Gold Bronze Lacquer and a special Carson-type padded top was fitted in order to give Gable more headroom. The current owners found it in 2009 and had it restored in 2014.

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 680278
Engine number: W6463-8

This jaguar XK120 Fixed-Head Coupe was completed on November 3rd, 195. It wore British Racing Green paintwork over a tan leather interior and was sent to the United States. It was originally sold through Hornburg Jaguar in Los Angeles, California. At some point, early in its life, it was fitted with a Motorola AM radio, and the exhaust system was customized - the single exhaust was exchanged for a twin exhaust setup. Also, the British Racing Green paintwork was replaced with the red hue it wears today.

This Fixed-Head Coupe sat in storage for many years before being re-discovered just recently. It has a 3,442cc dual-overhead-camshaft inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with twin SU carburetors and offers 160 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Clark Gable was an avid car collector who was known to have restrained and sophisticated taste when it came to motoring. He owned several Jaguars but this is perhaps the most famous. This car was originally purchased in 1952 and then consigned to George Barris for custom touches where he shaved the trim from the headlights along with the turn signal plinths, smoothed the front fenders, removed the wing mirrors but left the body sides alone to highlight the beautiful original shape. The boot lid is shaved but the handle is left intact and the license plate was relocated low on the rear of the car. A removable hard top was built featuring a full headlining and a leather-trimmed parcel shelf. A pair of 'Barris Custom Car' badges were affixed to the cowl below the windscreen posts.

The car was expertly restored in 2010 and is powered by its original 3.4-liter XK 6-cylinder engine developing 160hp. It retains its original steel wheels and wheel spats. It is Heritage Certified and Barris Documented including period photographs of Mr. Gable with this XK120.

Roadster

This XK 120 Special is unique because of modifications from original specifications performed decades ago. The windscreen is a Porsche Speedster unit which was custom fabricated and fitted into the cowl using lead. The fenders were cut out to get more air to the brakes in addition to drilling the slotted wheels for more brake cooling. The hood scoop was added along with louvers. The original 3.4 litre Jaguar engine was rebuilt and the SU carburetors are covered by an enclosed airbox for air flow from the McCullough supercharger. Custom headers can be seen under the left front fender and the McCullough supercharger can be seen in its original position under the right front fender.

Roadster

The current owners are the third owner of this 1952 OTS. They acquired the car in 2012 from Dr. Richard Richards who purchased the car 'second hand' in 1954. In 2012 a comprehensive restoration was started and strong evidence was found indicating the car was used in competition by the original owner. While Jaguar offered several standard color options on the XK-120 they also were able to accommodate clients who sought bespoke treatments. The Light Pearl Grey livery over blue leather interior is described in the standard colors, but there exists no definitive color chips or paint formulas for this color. Under the hood is a 3.4 liter six-cylinder 160 horsepower engine with a manual four-speed gearbox. Factory specifications indicated a top speed of 120 mph and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds.

Roadster
Chassis number: 671867
Engine number: W4209-8

This Jaguar XK120 Roadster is equipped with a 3,442cc inline 6-cylinder, dual overhead camshaft engine with two SU carburetors and delivering 160 horsepower at 5,000 RPM. There is a four-speed manual transmission and hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners. It has been given a frame-off, no-expense-spared restoration that took over three years to complete in the early 1990s. It is painted in Old English White with a red leather interior. The current owner has owned it since the 1990s.

by Dan Vaughan

HardTop Coupe
Chassis number: 672525

In the span of several months, the Jaguar XK120 was conceived, constructed, and introduced at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. Its design was elegant and modern with sporty intentions that complemented its performance capabilities, which, at the time, was the world's fastest production car. Again, this entire project had taken only a few months to achieve these performance credentials and equally impressive shape. Initially, the body was hand-built of aluminum, but after its popularity far surpassed production capabilities, the XK120 was adapted to all-steel paneling built by the Pressed Steel Fisher COmpany. It retained its original design and differed from the aluminum coachwork in minor external details.

Powering the XK120 was the XK engine, which had been developed during the war and was intended for Jaguar's forthcoming Mark VII saloon. The six-cylinder unit displaced 3.4-liters and boasted twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminum-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings, and a maximum output of 160bhp. With William Heynes' torsion bar independent front suspension, the shortened chassis of the Mark V saloon, and equipped with the potent engine, the XK120 was capable of exceeding 120 mph. In May of 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute, an example with its hood and side screens in place recorded a speed of 126mph and 132mph with the hood and windscreen detached and an under-tray fitted.

This particular XK120 pays homage to the few competition-prepared XK120s from the period. It was completed during July of 1952 and left the factory with a left-hand drive configuration destined for the U.S. sports car market. The previous (and possibly its second) owner acquired it in 2004 and began a restoration. The goal was to build a tastefully prepared Jaguar sports competition car, paying homage to the XK120Cs that raced in period.

Lone Star Vintage Restoration of Houston, Texas performed the restoration at the cost of more than $150,000. The car was given a 3.8-liter competition Jaguar XK engine with high-lift cams, enlarged valves and 9:1 compression, plus triple Weber carburetors and sparked by dual-point ignition. A dyno test revealed the engine to produce 320 plus bhp at 5,200 RPM. The original matching-numbers 3.4-Liter engine was retained, safely crated, and remains with the vehicle. A 5-speed Borg Warner gearbox was fitted, along with side exhaust, period correct Le Mans style louvres on the bonnet and front fenders along with Le Mans style quick-filler fuel cap and a leather bonnet strap. The stock bumpers were removed, a competition-grade suspension installed, along with disc brakes and Borrani wire wheels. The interior houses custom alloy leather-upholstered bucket seats with competition-style seatbelts, a classic wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a racing windscreen.

Following the restoration, the car was used on several rallies and driving events including the Colorado Grand.

The car was acquired by its current caretaker around 2007.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

The 1952 Jaguar XK120 LM is a distinguished variant of the XK120, known for its racing pedigree and elegant design. It was specifically developed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it showcased Jaguar's commitment to performance and endurance. Powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, it offered a blend of speed and reliability, contributing to its competitive success on the track. The XK120 LM's combination of aerodynamic design and powerful performance made it a notable example of Jaguar's engineering excellence during the early 1950s.

This Jaguar XK120 OTS 'LM' (Le Mans) was built using only an original 1952 chassis, hood and gauges and faithfully recreated by noted Jaguar XK120 expert Guy Broad in Coventry, England, on Brown's Lane. Inspired by an XK120 that would have raced at Pebble Beach or Le Mans, this two-year project has been built with Jaguar parts and sympathetically restored to be driven as well as shown. Modifications include: 3.8L motor with 3x Weber DCOE9 carburetors, D and C type parts (275 bhp); XK140 front end with extended radiator; XK150 rear end; 4 Girling disc brakes. The lead-loaded, hand-built body is painted in original-for-1952 Birch Grey, has black wires, black roundels, with Spinnybeck branded all-leather interior and boot.

The Jaguar XK120 was designed to be a prestigious vehicle and produced in low numbers. The designation '120' represented the vehicle's 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, the 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 of 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', was 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 Dan Vaughan