Beschreibung:

1952 JAGUAR XK120 FIXED HEAD COUPE Chassis No. 680564 Engine No. W7067-8 Red with tan leather interior Engine: six cylinder, twin overhead camshaft, 3,442cc, 160bhp at 5,200rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: independent front with live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs in rear; Brakes: four wheel hydraulic drum. Left hand drive. In 1948 when Jaguar introduced their revolutionary new sports car, the XK120, they never realized it would become such a worldwide success. This was the start of an incredible line of Jaguar sports cars that would develop a distinguished competition history, with wins at the Le Mans 24 hour race five times and successes at hundreds of other major events. Its appearance at the 1948 Motor Show in England was met by crowds of people clamoring to own one of the most seductive and rapid cars of the era. Rather than hand-building a few cars as originally intended, Jaguar had to prepare themselves for serious production as a result of this widespread and unexpected interest. The two main features which led to its popularity were the major styling advances and, perhaps more importantly, the debut of the Jaguar twin overhead camshaft engine that became the mainstay of the marque for over three decades. With a genuine 120mph performance and one of the all-time greatest designs, the XK120 continues to be as popular today as it was the day it was introduced. The 1952 XK120 on offer here was originally supplied to the US market via East Coast dealer Max Hoffman, and was finished in green with tan interior. The previous owner bought the car in non-running, original condition in the mid-Eighties upon which he commenced a full restoration. The current owner purchased the car three years ago as an immaculately restored example that had already seen success on the concours scene. Whilst in his custody he has enjoyed driving the car, but as a self-confessed perfectionist the owner undertook various work to ensure he had one of the very best examples extant and set about improving this already well-decorated gem. Visually the car was without fault except for the rear overriders which were duly replaced, but the interest in making the car a better driver was where the focus was aimed. The list of improvements, fitments and appropriate modifications is vast and included a full engine rebuild with a re-machining of the crank and the fitment of new rods and bearings, as well as new upper and lower timing chains, along with other engine ancillaries such as the carburetors, distributor and oil pump being rebuilt. In the process the compression ratio was raised to 9:1 (similar to that found of later XK series engines). The brake system was completely overhauled or renewed where necessary, oil temperature and pressure gauges and a new fuel tank and pump were fitted along with a fresh set of wire wheels. One minor fault the XK120 model suffers from is that the spare wheel fit is extremely tight, thus the removal or placement of it can become somewhat of a struggle. In response to this, the owner installed a small compressor in the trunk to enable the spare to be inflated/deflated to ease this common predicament. Sumptuously finished in red with tan leather interior and carpets, this fine XK120 comes with a bevy of trophies, one of the most recent being first place in the driven class at a JCNA event last year. Reluctantly offered for sale this example is, to say the least, highly recommended. While the XK120 is without a doubt one of the prettiest designs ever, the graceful and flowing lines of the fixed head coupes make these Jaguars even more individual and memorable as timeless classics of sporting British heritage.