1952 Jaguar XK120

This example’s S673307 chassis number reveals it to have been built in December 1952. It is classified as a factory left hand drive open two seater that was originally finished in Birch Grey with a French Grey hood and a red and biscuit interior. The car was destined, like so many XK120s, for distributor Charles Hornburg of Los Angeles. From here the car was delivered to Santa Monica, also in California.

The XK seemed to remain in North America until 1985-86 when it was re-imported to the UK, being registered here for the first time in August of 1987. By this time the Jaguar was sporting a white livery and had been badly retrimmed in black. The car was repatriated by a Lloyds Name before it was sold on to a long-time member of the Jaguar Owners Club and used for club meetings and various European tours. By 2019 the XK was in the hands of a professional restorer, upholsterer and current owner, John. John expertly retrimmed the interior to its original red and biscuit colourway. He also returned the wire wheels to the correct 16-inch body-coloured items.

Over its history the XK has benefitted from a full body on restoration in 1999-2000, an engine rebuild in 2013 (re-bore and crankshaft regrind, new clutch and gearbox bearing seals), and its superb retrim in 2019. Since then, this Jaguar has been a regular visitor to the Goodwood Revival and concours car shows. It achieved best in class in the Brighton & Hove Motor Club Concourse in 2022.

This example is a Super Sports derivative from the factory with the "C" type cylinder head originally delivering a quoted 190bhp. This is a matching numbers car and with the W6896-8S cylinder head number confirmed with the S suffix denoting its "C" type specification. Some concessions to modernity have reportedly been made. These are a stainless-steel exhaust (fitted by Bell Swindon in 2010), a Japanese high-torque/ low-current starter motor, aluminium radiator with a Series 2 E Type expansion tank on the bulkhead, a Kenlowe fan, 2x 12volt period correct Lucas units (housed in the original 6v battery boxes), and hidden LED indicators in the wing mounted side lights. 

This car is thought to have been originally configured and specified as a replica of the white OTS XK that returned to Jabbeke in 1953 to record that 147.662mph flying mile. What a car!
 

The XK120 is one of those cars that looks like it is at full-chat whist standing still. It is quite easy to imagine it screaming along the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute at well over 140mph. The Jaguar White paintwork suits the curvaceous XK body perfectly. Despite this finish seeming to date back to around 1999, it presents very well indeed and is understood to be a quality two-pack acrylic paint.

At the front the big headlamps, narrow elliptical grill and slender, two-part bumper arrangement makes for a treatment that positively reeks of period charm. The rear of the XK makes do with an oversized pair of chrome overriders for protection with the chrome based rear lamps and long, twin polished stainless steel tail pipes rounding off the look.

The open two seater made do with the most vestigial of wet weather equipment in the shape of a basic hood and accompanying side screens. Both of these present in great order with the hood, particularly, fitting tightly and effectively. The white painted 16-inch wire wheels look a little incongruous at first but are correct for the period. These are affix via a set of large, chromed twin-eared spinners debossed with Jaguar script.
 

As a time-served restorer and upholsterer, owner John was just the man to return the Jaguar’s cabin back to its factory “biscuit and red” colourway. Our photographic package really speaks for itself here and showcases the first-class work showcased here. The individual seats meet in the middle to effectively create a full width bench. A small central cushion is affixed to the transmission tunnel to make the bench an emergency three-seater if and when required.

The biscuit element of the original colourway dresses the vertical box pleated, central sections of the seats. The red leather adorns the smooth seat edges and bolsters as well as the door cards and dash top roll which then extends around the perimeter of the snug cabin. The aforementioned door cards are fitted with sublime, saddle-bag style leather map pockets More biscuit hued leather dressed the full width of the fascia panel.

A set of five white on black Smiths instruments populate the centrally place instrument binnacle together with a smattering of brown Bakelite switches. A big, four spoke black alloy and Bakelite steering wheel sits ahead of the driver. 

Carpets are in fine order and finished in red and edge bound in matching leather. John has been at work in the boot, too, with it now trimmed as exquisitely as the cabin itself.
 

The XK120 is quite literally a car that was built around its engine. The 3.4-litre straight six was the world’s first mass production engine with twin overhead camshafts and hemispherical combustion chambers. It even looked good with the enamelled manifolds and polished camshaft covers presenting a decidedly handsome view when the bonnet was opened. 

This example looks even better than normal under the bonnet, however. Those polished camshaft covers are embossed with “Jaguar C-Type” motifs helping to confirm this car’s Super Sports configuration. The usual polished alloy is further augmented by that of the bespoke aluminium radiator and accompanying Kenlowe electric fan. 

There’s plenty of informative paperwork included with the XK. The current V5 registration document is present. This categorises the car as an Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. The car was last MoT’d in 2017.

A thick and very diligently organised lever arch file of accompanying papers is also on hand. A good proportion of these consist of high-value invoices for maintenance and repair work undertaken and parts procured. Other highlights include an original owner’s manual, workshop manual and spare-parts directory. A really useful and instructive archive.
 

The XK120 is one of those remarkable motoring icons that was never intended to be what it became. It was designed as somewhat of a trifle, a show car destined just to house an oily, if outstanding, engine. Once the genie was let from the bottle, however, at the 1948 London Motor Show, the car gathered its own momentum like a rock plunging down a mountain side. A fantastic car in its own right, of course, but also an origin car for a sublime and historic lineage of sporting Jaguars.

This example is as interesting as it is beautiful looking. It offers a fascinating provenance with its Super Sport heritage and record holder replica status. It has been carefully and thoughtfully curated by a number of informed and enthusiastic owners. For a 70-year-old sports car it is amazing that there is nothing that demands the next owner’s immediate attention. Whilst XK120s aren’t that rare, examples in this condition and with this type of back-story certainly are. Vanishingly so.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Hailsham, East Sussex. To arrange an appointment to view this vehicle please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.