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After making a lasting impression in the automotive world, Jaguar was forced to reconsider their XK120 in 1950 for larger scale production. To meet demands, Sir William Lyons had the car tooled for a steel body which would save costs and improve delivery times. Like the aluminum-bodied cars which were very hard to purchase, the production versions had had French curves, 120 mph performance and an easy price tag of £988.

Despite being made in steel, the XK120 lost none of its appeal or charm. It still used the same XK engine, which was the world's first affordable and mass-produced twin-cam unit, and had the sweeping body which was inspired by Italian sports cars and the streamlined styling of the French design houses.

In 1950, Jaguar took necessary steps to move towards large-scale production enabling Jaguar to produce over 12 000 examples. In 1951, the range was extended with a Fixed Head Coupe which was followed up by a Drophead Coupe in 1953. The later had luxuriously crafted soft tops with burled wood veneer trim and rollup windows inside. Around 1,800 XK 120 Drophead Coupes were produced.

Before 1949, Jaguar only played a small role in motor sports, but after the debut of the XK120, everyone was interested to see how the cars would perform on the track. Jaguar was no doubt interested as well and some of the very first cars were prepared for Silverstone where they took both first and second place. The following year, three privately entered XK120s raced LeMans with impressive competitiveness.

Success at Lemans encouraged Jaguar to build a specially designed XK120 which would lead the company into its most successful year. The XK120C (or C-Type) endurance racer used a tube frame chassis and streamlined body with the familiar XK120 drive train. This combination was quite successful and claimed Jaguar's first outright victory at Le Mans.

After Jaguar had won LeMans, and the XK120 debuted at the New York Auto show, Americans seriously started to consider British roadsters, propelling an entire industry of British sports cars made for export. Throughout the years, Jaguar nurtured this relationship with the updated XK140 and XK150.

Important Sales & Chassis

660449 - In 1951, This XK120 was prepared to support the new C-Type at the 1951 24 Hours of LeMans. While the C-Type won, privateers Bob Lawrie and Ivan Waller drove 660449 to 11th place overall, the XK120's highest placing at the race. In more recent times, 660449 has been subject to a complete restoration, which included upgrading most of the components to drive the car in vintage events. The restoration debuted at the 2002 LeMans classic. It will be offered for sale at Christies Auction at Retromobile.

LWK707 - Known for its unique registration plate, this XK120 Coupe ran the '7 days and 7 nights' endurance run at Montlhery with drivers Moss, Fairman, Hadley and Johnson. LWK707 ran for a full 7 days during which the car averaged just over 100mph. It remains in remarkably original condition to this day.

Story by Richard Owen for Supercars.net

Chassis & Sales

1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster - sold for $46,750 The 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster presented here in white with a black interior is a highly original, matching numbers example. It remains highly presentable and well suited for continued driving and enjoyment. With painted steel wheels sporting chrome hubs and rings as well as the highly desirable fender spats, this XK 120 Roadster will undoubtedly draw a great deal of attention.
Gallery: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey

1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster 673779 - sold for $60,500 Currently displaying just over 50,000 miles, this XK120 is certified by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust to be a matching-numbers example and is accompanied by photographs and receipts of its restoration work, as well as the original owner’s manual and a partial assortment of original tools. Recently, the car has been fastidiously detailed by Ensign Restoration Services of Albany, New York, resulting in superb paint, chrome, two-tone interior... more
Gallery: 2010 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

1953 Jaguar XK-120 Roadster S674061 - sold for $39,195 The offered example is lipstick red with a tan interior. It has the original three point headlights and a pair of aftermarket halogen driving lamps. An automatic transmission has been adapted from a later Jaguar model. Other modifications include an auxiliary radiator cooling fan and an under-dashboard radio. This XK120 provides the opportunity to own one of the sporting legends of its era.
Gallery: Bonhams 2010 Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia

1952 Jaguar XK120 4.2-litre - sold for €88,920 £40 had changed hands and Dexter Brown owned a Jaguar XK120 that had sustained front end damage in a meeting with a lamp post. Eoin Young, writing of this car in Autosport magazine in February 1971, recounts how another XK120 with a rusty body yielded a replacement chassis and Brown built up an E-type 4.2 litre specification engine with gas-flowed head, bigger valves, racing crankshaft, high lift cams and a lightened flywheel, bringing the pow... more
Gallery: 2010 Collectors' Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams

1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster - sold for €67,149 First registered on 1st June 1953, the car has the correct matching-numbers SE engine and has been restored with unusual attention to originality. A discreet battery cut-out switch and electronic ignition are the only significant deviations from the as-delivered configuration. The car is an absolute joy to drive, delivering a wonderful exhaust note. Since restoration it has covered 300 trouble-free miles in Holland and Belgium. Prepared to an ... more
Gallery: 2011 Salon Privé Auction by RM

1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster 670847 - sold for $115,500 Extensive Restoration Completed in 2011. Matching Numbers Certified by Jaguar Heritage Trust. Limited Ownership and Minimal Use From New. Pure Early XK Design. Timeless Elegance and Delightful Performance.
Gallery: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster 670288 - did not sell for $170,000 288th XK120 built. Includes Heritage Certificate confirming fantastic original color combination. National Champion with 99.99 points at several JCNA shows. 100 test miles since restoration. - Complete matching-numbers example
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1953 Jaguar XK120SE Roadster - sold for €94,192 This 120SE was built on 16 March, 1953 and dispatched on 23 March, 1953 to the U.S., where it was sent to the Jaguar distributor Hornburg in Los Angeles, California and sold new to Leoti, Colorado Ford dealer Claude S. Heath, Jr. There is a letter in the file from Mr. Heath’s son, written in 1998, in which he remembers accompanying his father to collect his new Jaguar and driving it home some 350 miles, never exceeding 50 mph due to the thrott... more
Gallery: 2011 London Auction by RM

1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster S671957 - sold for $154,000 A Spectacular Undisturbed Time Capsule. Elegant Factory-Delivered Color Combination. Less than 15,000 Miles from New. Charming History and California Provenance. Wonderfully Original Condition. Matching-Numbers Example. Extraordinary Features and Documentation. Outstanding Candidate for Preservation Display.
Gallery: 2012 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company

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