1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster – Auction Car of the Week

Jaguar is one of those manufacturers that just seems to consistently deliver. For every single decade since its inception in the 1930s the British institution has given us some truly spectacular machinery. From the very first SS1 and the Mark IV in the ’30s and ’40s respectively, through every crook’s favourite Mark 2 and the iconic E-Type of the ’60s, to the legendary ’90s XJ220 and modern classic XK8/XKRs of the 2000s Jaguar has always managed to nail it, and one such model deserving of all the praise and reverence it has earned is the Jaguar XK120 – a car that spanned two decades in the ’40s and ’50s, re-invigorating the company’s fortunes in the process.

Introduced in 1948 at the London Motor Show in two-seat convertible roadster format, the XK120 was Jaguar’s first sports car since the SS 100 that ceased production at the end of the ’30s. Initially unveiled as a concept, the car caused such a stir that Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons immediately green lit production. You have to remember, though, that this was the ’40s and producing a sports car went against the grain of not only what the car buying public wanted but also what manufacturer’s thought would be profitable.

Jaguar wasn’t faring too well after the war and its then current roster of models was getting long in the tooth, losing their mass appeal, especially in the crucial American market. This makes Lyon’s decision to build the XK120 even more incredulous but it was a decision that paid off, giving us one of the most beautiful and alluring sports cars of all time along the way.

Renowned import/export businessman Max Hoffman was one of the first customers, immediately snapping up 200 examples for the US market but this flurry was just the beginning. The XK120 would go on to race at such esteemed competitions as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Mille Miglia, smash various speed records and become a play thing of the rich and famous – validation indeed as to the car’s popularity.

So what of the example we have available via our auctions platform then? This, ladies and gentlemen, is a low mileage 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster that we’re sure you’ll agree looks simply stunning in its black over red leather colour combination. And so it should because not only will the timeless lines of the Jaguar XK120 be forever magnificent to behold but this particular car was thoroughly and professionally restored less than 3,000 miles ago.

The no-expense-spared recommissioning was entrusted to marque specialist Julian Thorogood by the car’s titled owner, himself an XK enthusiast. No nut was left unturned but this wasn’t simply a case of taking it apart and putting it all back together again with fresh paint and some lightweight Aston Martin wire wheels shod in Dunlop Racing tyres. Oh no. As part of the restoration process a whole host of mechanical upgrades was bestowed upon this beguiling beauty.

Fully documented in the car’s impressive history file, this particular Jaguar XK120 sports a C-Type cylinder head and side-exit exhaust alongside a myriad other race-bred upgrades, including high-lift cams, 2” SU carbs, a lightweight flywheel, electronic ignition and disc brakes all round, all of which make for an incredibly entertaining drive and much more applicable proposition.

Combine this with the exquisite bodywork, beautiful chrome and sumptuous, re-trimmed red leather upholstery and what you have is arguably a Jaguar XK120 that is better than the original. More fun, more usable and with more performance we see no downside here. Yes, the purists may be up in arms but that’s their problem. For the rest of us we can simply admire this car for what it is – a stunningly restored and upgraded specification iconic British roadster that is both tremendously exciting and eternally desirable. All you have to do is chuck in the winning bid.