Jaguar XK 120

One of the Jags the world will always remember is one of our “Silver Bullets” in the collection

1952 Jaguar XK120

The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car which was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. Jaguar’s first post-war sports car, which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testbed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production.

Design & Styling

1952 Jaguar XK120

The “120″ in its name referred to its 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed (faster with the windscreen removed), which made the XK120 the world’s fastest standard production car at the time of its launch.

It was available in two convertible versions — first as the roadster (designated OTS, for open two-seater, in America), then also as a drophead coupé, or DHC, from 1953 — and as a closed, or “fixed-head” coupé from 1951. The DHC was a more deluxe model, featuring a beautiful wood dashboard and wood features on the door interiors. The roadster version was successful in racing.

Interior


Technical Specs

Technical Specifications

The car`s heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine. Conceived in wartime, the 3.4 litre `six` embodied the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminum-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. The XK120 set new standard of comfort, road holding and performance for British sports car and, in keeping with the Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. 

Although it had not been designed with racing in mind, the XK120`s competition potential was immediately obvious, not least to the factory, which entered a three-car team in the Daily Express one-hour race for standard production cars a Silverstone in August 1949.

  • Year:
    1952

  • Color:
    White

  • Engine
    3442 cc/3.4 litre

  • Type:
    1952 Jaguar XK120

  • 0-60 mph:
    9.8 seconds

  • Top Speed:
    120 mph (193 km/h

  • Transmission
    4 speed

  • Body/Chassis
    2 door coupe

Cool Facts

It was available in two convertible versions — first as the roadster (designated OTS, for open two-seater, in America), then also as a drop head coupé, or DHC, from 1953 — and as a closed, or “fixed-head” coupé from 1951. The DHC was a more deluxe model, featuring a beautiful wood dashboard and wood features on the door interiors. The roadster version was successful in racing.



 

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