Istorie
This was the British car that really conquered America! Was designed for people who appreciate intimacy but are peppy in the same time, treasure charming sports cars from the old country. A car that has attracted celebrity owners such as Clark Gable.
Full description
Conceived and constructed in 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 took Jaguar by surprise. With orders rolling in a pace, Jaguar had no choice but to think again about the XK120's method of construction.
The work of Jaguar boss William Lyons himself and one of the most beautiful shapes ever to grace a motor car, the body had been conceived as a coach built, aluminum paneled structure for the simple reason that Jaguar expected to sell no more than 200 XK120s in the first year!
The XK120 set new standards of comfort, road holding and performance for British sports cars and, in keeping with the Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupe and drop head coupe versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment (SE) package which boosted power to 180 hp. With either engine and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 190 km/h car capable of sustained high-speed cruising. The XK120 was produced until 1954 and would prove to be the most popular of the XK series, with 12,078 examples built.
This was the British car that really conquered America! Was designed for people who appreciate intimacy but are peppy in the same time, treasure charming sports cars from the old country, a car that has attracted celebrity owners such as Clark Gable.
In 2014 Jaguar Heritage Racing was tackling the legendary Mille Miglia classic car endurance event with a lineup of top names drivers, which traversed over 1000 miles from Brescia- Rome- Brescia in ten of the most revered and sough- after historic Jaguar cars ever produced. Jay Leno participated to this race with a Jaguar XK120.
This unit was completely restored at Tiriac Collection and has covered 10.231 miles.
