The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and was their first post-war sports car, it succeeded the SS 100 which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production. The '120' in its name referred to its 120mph top speed which made it the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two convertible versions; first as the roadster then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and as a closed, or fixedhead coupé from 1951. The Drophead Coupé was a more luxurious model, featuring a beautiful wooden dashboard and wood features on the door interiors. 353 YUK is an original lefthand drive American car supplied new by the Jaguar distributor in Hornburg, Los Angeles in July 1952. The vendor believes that this XK120 only had two owners while in the United States - the first, a Mr. W. Y. Quinn of Longbeach, California. The car was purchased from the second owner's estate; a reclusive gentleman who lived on an island in Seattle and is reported to have had a Bugatti Type 35 in his kitchen and a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing in his sitting room! The current owner acquired the car about two years ago and on arrival back in the UK, set about the restoration process starting with stripping the body back to bare metal and finding it to be rust free; a testament to spending most of its life in California. The car was then slightly modified by increasing the cockpit size behind the seats allowing someone over six foot in height to drive comfortably. The engine has been replaced at some point in time with, what the vendor believes to be, an XK140 engine, the gearbox has been replaced with a five speed unit and a new clutch fitted. The front suspension has been rebuilt and the front brakes replaced with disc brakes although it is worth noting that the original gearbox and front brakes are supplied with the car. Other items which have been replaced or overhauled are the starter motor, the dynamo, the waterpump, a new stainless steel exhaust system, canister oil filter and a set of 'high speed' Blockley tyres. The engine reportedly runs very well with excellent oil pressure. This Jaguar XK120 Roadster is supplied with a V5C registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in May 2013, a copy of the Jaguar Heritage certificate, the United States registration document and a file containing some history before coming to the United Kingdom. This is magnificently presented in Old English White and retrimmed in burgundy leather and priced sensibly in today's buoyant market. If indicators are to be believed, this car also offers great investment potential as the XK retail market continues to capture the appreciation of the next motoring generation.
The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and was their first post-war sports car, it succeeded the SS 100 which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production. The '120' in its name referred to its 120mph top speed which made it the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two convertible versions; first as the roadster then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and as a closed, or fixedhead coupé from 1951. The Drophead Coupé was a more luxurious model, featuring a beautiful wooden dashboard and wood features on the door interiors. 353 YUK is an original lefthand drive American car supplied new by the Jaguar distributor in Hornburg, Los Angeles in July 1952. The vendor believes that this XK120 only had two owners while in the United States - the first, a Mr. W. Y. Quinn of Longbeach, California. The car was purchased from the second owner's estate; a reclusive gentleman who lived on an island in Seattle and is reported to have had a Bugatti Type 35 in his kitchen and a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing in his sitting room! The current owner acquired the car about two years ago and on arrival back in the UK, set about the restoration process starting with stripping the body back to bare metal and finding it to be rust free; a testament to spending most of its life in California. The car was then slightly modified by increasing the cockpit size behind the seats allowing someone over six foot in height to drive comfortably. The engine has been replaced at some point in time with, what the vendor believes to be, an XK140 engine, the gearbox has been replaced with a five speed unit and a new clutch fitted. The front suspension has been rebuilt and the front brakes replaced with disc brakes although it is worth noting that the original gearbox and front brakes are supplied with the car. Other items which have been replaced or overhauled are the starter motor, the dynamo, the waterpump, a new stainless steel exhaust system, canister oil filter and a set of 'high speed' Blockley tyres. The engine reportedly runs very well with excellent oil pressure. This Jaguar XK120 Roadster is supplied with a V5C registration document, an MoT test certificate which expires in May 2013, a copy of the Jaguar Heritage certificate, the United States registration document and a file containing some history before coming to the United Kingdom. This is magnificently presented in Old English White and retrimmed in burgundy leather and priced sensibly in today's buoyant market. If indicators are to be believed, this car also offers great investment potential as the XK retail market continues to capture the appreciation of the next motoring generation.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
