Lot details
Registration No: MKV 878
Chassis No: 660694
Mot Expiry: Sept 2006

Launched at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, the Jaguar XK120 Roadster caused a furore. In a world seemingly defined by ration books, its combination of superstar looks and racecar performance sparked a feeding frenzy among the press. Boasting independent torsion-bar front suspension, the all-new dohc 3442cc straight six 'XK' engine and a 120mph plus top speed, it had few rivals or critics. However, faced with a perilously shaky post WW2 British economy, the Coventry manufacturer had little choice but to concentrate on overseas sales. Thus, the home market accounted for just one out of every twelve XK120 Roadsters built.
According to its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, MKV 878 rolled off the production line in February 1951. Retained by the factory as a 'works car' for the next thirty months (though, sadly there is no indication as to whether the Roadster was used for promotional, experimental or other purposes), it was first road registered on July 6th 1953 having been supplied to Mr Fawcett of Newbury by the Imperial Motor Mart, Cheltenham. Still in Newbury some eight years later when acquired by its second private keeper Mr Sinclair, MKV 878 subsequently migrated to Wales where it berthed with Mr Stephen and then Mr Davies. Kept by the latter gentleman from the late 1960s until the early 1980s (he is listed on both its original buff logbook and initial V5 registration document), it was reportedly subjected to a "major body-off restoration" by Mr Britton of Birmingham the following decade. Suitably repaired, it was repainted in its original livery of Old English White prior to being re-trimmed in contrasting red and tan leather. Sadly, no documentation from this period has survived beyond a £1,626 invoice from upholsterers Suffolk & Turley (January 1997) and a £978 receipt from suppliers BAS Ltd (June 1998). Purchased by the present owner from the June 2001 H&H Auction to which Mr Britton had consigned it, MKV 878 has since had "every aspect of its running gear checked and / or overhauled as required". Thus, its 3.8 litre engine (an upgrade dating from 1966) was treated to a re-bore, oversize pistons, reground crankshaft, rebuilt cylinder head, 'Aldon' electronic ignition, facet fuel pump, Kenlowe cooling fan and new coolant hoses etc. Further benefiting from a refurbished braking system (stainless steel wheel cylinders, new master cylinder etc), renewed electrics (Lucas P700 spotlamps, flashing orange indicators, halogen headlamp bulbs etc), recalibrated instruments, a specially fabricated stainless steel 'original-option' style luggage rack, new hood, recovered sidescreens and refinished rear wings, it rides on Vredstein radial tyres and sports a stainless steel exhaust system. Described by the vendor as being in fine (four-speed manual gearbox), superb (engine) or 'A1' (electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, paintwork, bodywork, wheels / tyres) condition, it is believed but not warranted to have covered 97,743 miles from new. Apparently "well known in XK Club and Jaguar Enthusiast Club" circles, MKV 878 has appeared on the front cover of 'Jaguar Enthusiast' magazine (November 2003) and was invited to represent XK120s at the JEC's 'Fifty Years of Jaguar' Thoresby Hall display (June 2004). Said to be a "well balanced, easy, friendly, reliable car which sounds superb, feels really 'solid' on the road and goes like stink", it is offered for sale with comprehensive history file, bills from 2001 onwards (totalling some £13,200), original buff logbook, old V5s, handbook, MOT certificate valid until 18th September 2006 and historic class (free) road tax until February 2006.