1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

A car-starved Britain, still trundling around in perpendicular, pre-war hangover motors glimpsed the future in October 1948 with the launch of the Jaguar XK120 at the Earls Court Motor Show. Production commenced in 1949 in Coventry, and the XK's swoopy shape and stylish occupants would become a common sight on British roads over the next fifteen years. The '120' referred to the car's top speed which, at the time, made it the fastest production car in the world. The flowing lines of the body shell were pressed from sheet steel and the doors, bonnet and boot were formed from lighter aluminium and hand-finished. The 120s were powered by a 3,400cc Jaguar dual overhead cam (the basis of all their engines for the next 25 years) with an alloy cylinder head and twin side draft SU carburettors giving 160bhp. All XKs had independent torsion bar front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, recirculating ball steering and 12 " drum brakes all round. Offered here is a genuine UK, right-hand drive, Jaguar XK120 Roadster retaining its original Dudley registration and buff logbook. It's incredibly original and must be one the soundest unrestored examples available. All the panels and chassis appear corrosion free and this is a great basis for a "blank canvas' restoration. Originally registered in July 1951 to a Mr.W.Morgan of Rugby, Warwickshire, it was purchased from him in 1959 by Mr. Arne Nils Persson who, according to his wife, fitted a 4.3 Alvis engine and proceeded to race the Jaguar, most notably at Silverstone. The pre-war Alvis engine was an ohv, six cylinder power unit with a seven main bearing crank producing around 150 bhp at 4,000 rpm with lots of torque, and immediately post-war, was the most powerful un-supercharged engine generally available and featured extensively in competition in the early fifties as the world of motor racing came back to life. It was dry-sumped, and LNX 277 still retains the original fabricated oil tank. The next owner, prior to our vendor, removed the Alvis engine and fitted a period-correct (1952) Jaguar engine. This original car is effectively a four owner from new, UK XK120 Roadster with an interesting history, and is patiently awaiting a new owner who recognizes its potential as the basis for the proper restoration of an iconic piece of fifties style.