Description
It was at the 1948 London Motor Show that Jaguar virtually threw the sports car world into turmoil with its stunning XK120. Here was a car with incredible style and looks, a powerful six cylinder engine installed in an outstanding chassis and a remarkably low price, a quarter that of a V12 Ferrari, but with similar performance.
At the heart of the William Lyons styled roadster was that all-new 3,442cc twin overhead camshaft XK engine, producing 160bhp via twin SU carburettors, sufficient for 126mph and 0-60mph in 10 seconds. The XK120 became a massive success, both on the road and the track, where it scored numerous victories.
The many drivers included Stirling Moss, Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead, Leslie Johnson and lan Appleyard. In XK120C/C-Type form it won Le Mans in both 1951 and ‘53, while its engine was to power three more Le Sarthe winners and a whole host of successful Jaguar models for the next fifty years.
Rolling off the production line in May 1953, chassis S677210, a matching numbers XK120 SE Drophead Coupe, was despatched on the 15th May 1953, heading for the US importer Hoffman’s of New York.
The car was specified in the rather avantgarde combination of Pastel Green with a Suede Green interior, and a fawn coloured convertible hood. Pleasingly, the XK was fitted from new with the more desirable high compression engine, a useful upgrade.
This XK provides an excellent basis for restoration; the engine is said to turn over freely, the chassis is believed to be in excellent condition, whilst the car is offered with a number of spare parts supplied as part of the package.
Offered with a title document and relevant UK NOVA certificate, what a fantastic project for the next owner.
