Jaguar’s XK120 has been enrapturing car enthusiasts ever since it was dramatically unveiled back in 1948. The company’s first post-war sports car, it featured an all-new six-cylinder engine within a delectable roadster body. The addition of the number ‘120’ into the model name served to further tantalise – after all, the figure referred to the car’s top speed, and that was a mightily impressive claim in the late-forties. Indeed, it made it the fastest production car in the world.

Today, its legacy endures with panache. A celebrated race car, a B-road hero, a suave boulevardier, and – most importantly of all – surely one of the most beautiful automobiles ever crafted. And this one has a huge and impressive history; the substantial file of paperwork shows photographic evidence of a full restoration, detailed accounts of handling upgrades, and entries into road rallies.

This is an XK with a few tales to tell – and with a beautiful finish inside and out, and a superbly maintained drivetrain and chassis including extensive works by the specialist Twyford Moors, it’s ready to enjoy right away.

 • Jaguar Heritage certificate 
 • Genuine UK supplied Right-Hand drive DHC

 • Comprehensive photographic documentation of restoration

 • Sheaf of old MOTs

 • Lots of receipts for maintenance and work carried out

 • Detailed correspondence between owner and specialist Twyford Moors

 • Evidence of competition entries

 • Retrimmed in red leather

 • Modified cabin to create more interior space

 • Tilton pedal box

 • New smaller steering wheel

This interior is presented in fabulous condition, having been fully retrimmed in quality red leather. The cockpit has been subject to a few choice alterations to increase interior space and accommodate taller drivers, with the seat mountings altered and floors lowered, and a smaller steering wheel fitted. This is all geared toward making the car more usable, and with this in mind the pedals have been replaced with a Tilton pedal box, with relocated accelerator pedal and upgrade to a dual braking system. 

The seats and dash are beautifully trimmed and in very good condition, and the carpets are tidy throughout. Inside the boot we find the correct spare wire wheel with good tyre, new carpet, jack, and tool for removing the wheel spinners. In terms of weather equipment, the car comes equipped only with its Tonneau cover. 

 • Full bare-metal restoration

 • Beautiful Moondust Silver paint

 • Superb wire wheels with Vredestein tyres

The body of this Jaguar is extremely well presented, having enjoyed a full restoration – as extensively documented in the history file. You can see in the photographs that all the shutlines are even and the panels straight, and we can confirm that everything opens freely and closes with a pleasing ‘thunk’. 

The choice of paint is actually a Ford shade, Moondust Silver Metallic, and it suits the shape of the car beautifully, contrasting well with the lipstick-red interior. In terms of weather equipment, the car comes equipped only with its Tonneau cover which fits very well. 

All of the chrome is in good order, as are the light lenses and window glass; the headlights have been replaced with new original-style items.
The wire wheels are in lovely condition, and wear a matching set of Vredestein period-style tyres with decent tread. 

 • Overdrive transmission

 • Rack-and-pinion steering

 • Adjustable suspension

 • Custom cooling system

The car runs very well, starting easily and idling evenly, and pulling well through the rev range. The engine has been maintained by specialists, and there’s evidence of this throughout the history file. The gearbox has been replaced with an upgraded overdrive unit, with the original gear knob retained. (There’s a note in the file about how the shift patterns differ.)

Extensive works have been carried out by Twyford Moors to make the car more enjoyable and tactile to drive, including modifications to the chassis to fit a rack-and-pinion steering setup. The car runs adjustable Spax dampers along with a Stage 1 poly bushing to the front axle. 

A custom aluminium radiator was made for this car, working with a Kenlowe fan and tasteful aluminium header tank.

This is a delightful example, offering all of the 1950s panache of the XK120 with a handful of upgrades to make it even more enjoyable to drive. With its comprehensively upgraded chassis, it’s poised and agile as well as being supremely comfortable, and the enhancements to improve interior space pay dividends in the car’s overall usability. 

The bare-metal restoration has resulted in a car that is as glorious to behold as it is to drive, and the next owner will surely enjoy every moment behind the wheel, whether it’s wafting down country lanes, cruising to the coast or competing in road rallies. A true polymath, this XK120 can do it all.