1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

Lot details
Registration No: XVV 250
Chassis No: 672703
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Matching chassis, engine (block and head) and body numbers

- The subject of a meticulous, chassis-up refurbishment that took over 1,400 hours and was completed in 2017

- Supplied new to America and repatriated many years ago

- Later acquired by Derek Hood of JD Classics as an unfinished project and sold to the vendor

- Restoration documented via numerous photos and invoices

Launched at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, the Jaguar XK120 Roadster caused a sensation. Penned by Sir William Lyons, the model's sensuous lines seemed almost impossibly glamorous to a country still feeling the effects of rationing. While, the 120mph top speed that its name signified soon became the stuff of legend. Literally flooded with orders, Jaguar began limited hand-built production soon thereafter (although, it was not until 1950 that the factory was sufficiently 'tooled-up' to discard aluminium in favour of steel for the curvaceous bodywork). Based around a cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with independent torsion-bar front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and hydraulic drum brakes, the lithe two-seater proved equally adept on road or track winning both the RAC TT and Alpine Trial during 1950 (the former victory coming at the hands of Sir Stirling Moss). Credited with 160bhp and 190lbft of torque in standard tune, its legendary 3442cc DOHC straight-six engine was allied to four-speed manual transmission. Arguably, the defining sportscar of its generation, a perilously shaky post-WW2 British economy gave the Coventry manufacturer little choice but to concentrate on overseas sales.

Manufactured on 19th August 1952 and finished in Birch Grey with Red leather upholstery, this particular example - chassis 672703 - was supplied new via Charles H. Hornburg Jr's Sunset Boulevard, California dealership. Perhaps a sign of its fundamental soundness, the Jaguar has passed through the hands of three renowned marque specialists since being repatriated namely John May of XK Developments (whose company applied for a Heritage Certificate in May 1999), John Gregson of Proteus Cars (and later Gregson-Polska) and Derek Hood of J.D. Classics. Purchased from the latter by the vendor during 2013, the XK120 had been partially stripped pending restoration. Pleasingly retaining its original chassis, engine and body, the two-seater was acquired as a retirement project. Completed late last year following over 1,400 hours of labour, the Jaguar's paintwork and trim were outsourced to professionals but the seller undertook the rest of its meticulous `nut and bolt' refurbishment himself. In many ways as impressive underneath as it is on top, the XK120 has been subtly upgraded with electronic ignition and disc front brakes. Road registered as `XVV 250', this decidedly smart Roadster is described by the vendor as being in `very good' (engine, gearbox) or `excellent' (bodywork, paintwork, electrical equipment, interior trim) condition. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, MOT certificate valid until October 2018 and a wealth of photographs and invoices documenting its restoration. What better way to mark the XK120's 70th Anniversary this year than to buy `XVV 250' and enjoy it on the numerous upcoming celebratory events?