Jaguar XK120

The XK120 was launched in open two-seater roadster format at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testbed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. The display car was the first prototype, chassis number 660001. It looked almost identical to the production cars except that the straight outer pillars of its windscreen would be curved on the production version. The roadster caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and design boss William Lyons to put it into production.

Beginning in 1948, the first 242 cars wore wood-framed open 2-seater bodies with aluminium panels. Production switched to the 1cwt or 112 lb (51 kg) heavier[5] all-steel in early 1950. The "120" in the name referred to the aluminium car's 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed (faster with the windscreen removed), which made it the world's fastest production car at the time of its launch. In 1949 the first production roadster, chassis number 670003, was delivered to Clark Gable.

The example we have here is a very early 'short hood' model; chassis number 660355 was supplied new on 8 December 1950 by JE Bird Automobiles in London to a Mr CR Bertoli on the number that it sports today, NKL 60. We are informed that the car has had only one owner for the majority of its life (from 1967-1989) where it then changed hands to a Mr Money from Leatherhead. The XK was subsequently bought by the current registered keeper through Racing Green Cars in 2009 as a retirement present to himself.

The service history file details the full photographic restoration by Alan Holdaway (a leading expert/Southern Classics) in 1989-1990 and has been maintained by Rectory Classics since.

When the car was restored it was uprated to SE Specification - that is to say, converted to wire wheels, open rear arches a twin pipe stainless exhaust system and an uprated cylinder head. The car was then fitted with an alternator and converted to twin 12V batteries and has the benefit of electronic ignition and the more reliable electronic fuel pump.

So in conclusion, what we have here is a very straight and superb driving XK120 and although an older restoration, it has paid tribute to the people who carried out the works as there is now a wonderful interior patina over gun barrel straight bodywork and a superb paint finish. Now ready for a new and enthusiastic keeper.....