Beschreibung:

'We claimed 120 mph (for the XK 120), a speed unheard of for a production car in those days' - William Heynes, Chief Engineer, Jaguar Cars. The XK120 debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show where the stunning-looking roadster caused a sensation, the resulting demand for what was then the world's fastest production car taking Jaguar by surprise. The work of Jaguar boss William Lyons himself and one of the most beautiful shapes ever to grace an automobile, the body was conceived as a coachbuilt aluminum structure for the simple reason that Jaguar expected to sell no more than 200 XK120s in the first year! It was immediately obvious that the slow-to-produce alloy bodywork would have to go, and the car was swiftly re-engineered in steel. In conjunction with the Pressed Steel Fisher Company a new all-steel paneled body was developed, which retained the fabulous looks of the coachbuilt original while differing in minor external details. The car's heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine, a 3.4-liter 'six' embodying the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminum-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. Jaguar lost no time in demonstrating that the XK120's claimed top speed was no idle boast. In May 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute, an example with its hood and side screens in place recorded a speed of 126mph and 132mph with the hood and windscreen detached and an under-tray fitted. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sports cars and, in keeping with the Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. An original left hand drive XK, Chassis 674160 was sold new in 1953. It is thought that the car was acquired from this original owner, by the next keeper, Steven Sigwarth who was based in Cedar Rapids, IA. When acquired, the car was in unrestored/original order and it was during his ownership that he undertook a comprehensive restoration of the XK, putting it into the fine order in which it is found today. Using local specialists Tremains Automotive and Simonson's of Taylorville, IL and Riverside Sports Cars of Swisher, IA, and with the majority of replacement or refurbished parts arriving from UK Specialists Guy Broad and XK Engineering, the project was completed over a period of 3-4 years. On file are invoices for the work being carried out totaling in excess of $60,000, with a further $18,000 on parts and trim. A facsimile handbook is also with the car. The 120 was subsequently acquired by the present owner from known Jaguar specialists 'Doc's Jags' in 2000. Since that time it has been attended to and well maintained by respected expert Kurt Braunstein in East Hampton, NY. A benchmark catalog example of the model, it is arguably all the better for being to the original specification and still sporting the elegant disc wheels and rear wheel spats. Its restoration has barely aged and today the car presents beautifully, the color combination works well, the deep red trim contrasting with the silky silver bodywork, while on the road the Jaguar is reported to be a strong performer and very fast!