Conceived and constructed in but a few months, the XK120 debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show where the stunning-looking roadster caused a sensation, the resulting demand for what was then the world’s fastest production car taking Jaguar by surprise. Its stunning appearance notwithstanding, the XK120 was conventional enough beneath the skin, being built on a separate chassis featuring independent front suspension by means of wishbones and torsion bars, a live rear axle and drum brakes all round. The car’s heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine. Conceived in wartime and intended for Jaguar’s post-war range-topping saloon, the 3.4-litre six embodied the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminium-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. When installed in the lightweight XK120, the result was a car with a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio and blistering performance. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sportscars and in keeping with the Jaguar tradition there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupé and Drophead Coupé versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment package that boosted power from 160 to 180bhp. With either engine and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising. Rarest of the three XK120 variants (only 1,769 Drophead Coupés were built compared with 7,631 Roadsters and 2,678 Fixed Head Coupés) this left-hand drive drophead represents Jaguar’s classic XK sports car in its early, purest form. Delivered new to France, the car previously belonged to well known French Jaguar enthusiast, Dr Marc Hevia, and was French-registered ‘120 RW 16’ in his name. The car was sold to current owner in April 2001, having been treated to a complete ‘body off’ restoration and re-spray in the 1990s. Slightly ‘hotter’ camshafts were installed at that time, while other noteworthy features include a Kenlowe electric fan, extra oil cooler, modern choke mechanism, fog lamps and a stainless steel exhaust system. The odometer currently displays a total of 29,474 kilometres and the car remains very clean and well presented. Offered from a well-known Belgian private collection, it is being sold solely due to lack of current use by the vendor. Finished in Old English White with blue leather interior, carpets and soft-top, ‘678392’ boasts disc wheels and rear spats and is offered with Belgian ‘Oldtimer’ registration papers and FIA Category E pass issued by the RACB’s historic section in 2004. All in all a very nicely presented car, used regularly and an excellent driver. La plus rare des trois versions de la XK120 (1 769 cabriolets seulement contre 7 631 roadsters et 2 678 coupés), ce cabriolet à conduite à gauche représente la forme la plus pure des classiques XK de Jaguar. Livrée neuve en France, cette voiture qui appartint autrefois au bien connu amateur de Jaguar, le Dr Marc Hevia, fut immatriculée « 120 RW 16 » à son nom. La voiture fut cédée au propriétaire actuel en avril 2001 après une restauration depuis le châssis et une peinture exécutées dans les années 1990. A l’époque, elle fut équipée d’arbres à cames un peu plus « méchants » et elle bénéficie d’un ventilateur électrique Kenlow, d’un radiateur d’huile supplémentaire, d’un mécanisme d’enrichissement moderne, d’anti-brouillard et d’un échappement en inox. Le compteur affiche actuellement 29 474 km et la voiture se présente dans un état très propre. Peinte en Old English White avec intérieur en cuir, tapis et capote bleu, « 678392 » est équipée de roues à disque en tôle et de ses spats arrière. En bel état et offrant un excellent fonctionnement, elle est accompagnée de ses papiers d’immatriculation belges « de collection » et d’un passeport FIA catégorie E émis par la section historique du RACB en 2004.
Conceived and constructed in but a few months, the XK120 debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show where the stunning-looking roadster caused a sensation, the resulting demand for what was then the world’s fastest production car taking Jaguar by surprise. Its stunning appearance notwithstanding, the XK120 was conventional enough beneath the skin, being built on a separate chassis featuring independent front suspension by means of wishbones and torsion bars, a live rear axle and drum brakes all round. The car’s heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine. Conceived in wartime and intended for Jaguar’s post-war range-topping saloon, the 3.4-litre six embodied the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminium-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. When installed in the lightweight XK120, the result was a car with a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio and blistering performance. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sportscars and in keeping with the Jaguar tradition there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupé and Drophead Coupé versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment package that boosted power from 160 to 180bhp. With either engine and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising. Rarest of the three XK120 variants (only 1,769 Drophead Coupés were built compared with 7,631 Roadsters and 2,678 Fixed Head Coupés) this left-hand drive drophead represents Jaguar’s classic XK sports car in its early, purest form. Delivered new to France, the car previously belonged to well known French Jaguar enthusiast, Dr Marc Hevia, and was French-registered ‘120 RW 16’ in his name. The car was sold to current owner in April 2001, having been treated to a complete ‘body off’ restoration and re-spray in the 1990s. Slightly ‘hotter’ camshafts were installed at that time, while other noteworthy features include a Kenlowe electric fan, extra oil cooler, modern choke mechanism, fog lamps and a stainless steel exhaust system. The odometer currently displays a total of 29,474 kilometres and the car remains very clean and well presented. Offered from a well-known Belgian private collection, it is being sold solely due to lack of current use by the vendor. Finished in Old English White with blue leather interior, carpets and soft-top, ‘678392’ boasts disc wheels and rear spats and is offered with Belgian ‘Oldtimer’ registration papers and FIA Category E pass issued by the RACB’s historic section in 2004. All in all a very nicely presented car, used regularly and an excellent driver. La plus rare des trois versions de la XK120 (1 769 cabriolets seulement contre 7 631 roadsters et 2 678 coupés), ce cabriolet à conduite à gauche représente la forme la plus pure des classiques XK de Jaguar. Livrée neuve en France, cette voiture qui appartint autrefois au bien connu amateur de Jaguar, le Dr Marc Hevia, fut immatriculée « 120 RW 16 » à son nom. La voiture fut cédée au propriétaire actuel en avril 2001 après une restauration depuis le châssis et une peinture exécutées dans les années 1990. A l’époque, elle fut équipée d’arbres à cames un peu plus « méchants » et elle bénéficie d’un ventilateur électrique Kenlow, d’un radiateur d’huile supplémentaire, d’un mécanisme d’enrichissement moderne, d’anti-brouillard et d’un échappement en inox. Le compteur affiche actuellement 29 474 km et la voiture se présente dans un état très propre. Peinte en Old English White avec intérieur en cuir, tapis et capote bleu, « 678392 » est équipée de roues à disque en tôle et de ses spats arrière. En bel état et offrant un excellent fonctionnement, elle est accompagnée de ses papiers d’immatriculation belges « de collection » et d’un passeport FIA catégorie E émis par la section historique du RACB en 2004.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
