3442cc 6 Cylinder DOHC Inline
4 speed 3 Synchro Manual Gearbox
Front Engined Rear Wheel Drive
Hydraulic Drum Brakes
160 bhp 195 lb-ft
Exterior Red Interior Biscuit
After World War 2, Jaguar resumed building cars based on their prewar designs, but did not bring out a new sports car until the XK120 premiered at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1948. With it, they introduced their new XK engine, which was a high performance inline 6 cylinder engine with hemispherical combustion chambers and domed pistons, creating what was then a very high tech, potent powerplant. The car they debuted was a very quickly assembled prototype, built on a shortened saloon chassis, that hadn’t been fully sorted, but was intended to showcase their new engine design which they planned to put into their bigger saloons. Instead, it stole the show and Jaguar was forced to launch it into production, perhaps a bit earlier than it should have. The engine proved to be a fantastic motor and went on to be the main engine fitted in Jaguar cars for the next 40 years, including their race cars. The XK120 however, suffered somewhat from its rushed development with a fairly cramped driving position, heavy brakes, and steering. It, however, thanks to Sir William Lyon’s design, was a beautiful car and sold very well worldwide. The Open Two Seater was soon joined by a coupe and a drophead coupe to round out the choices of body design and after the first 242 cars, the
bulk of the skin went from hand formed aluminum to stamped steel panels and much of the ash framing of the early cars was replaced with steel substructure to speed up construction in order to meet the enormous demand. The XK120 also formed the basis for the C-Type race car as well as serving as a successful race car with its road-going body.
My example is a mostly steel bodied car, but still early in the production as evidenced by the chromed front sidelamp and rear tail lamp bodies, which were later replaced by permanently welded body colour fittings on the later cars. This car was well restored for the previous owner, Ron Robbel of Bend, Oregon, who purchased the car decades earlier. The restoration was well carried out and the car runs much as it should. In order tobe able to drive it and combat the risk of overheating, an aftermarket radiator and expansion tank were fitted before I bought the car, though I have the original radiator, and I have fitted an uprated fan. The car is somewhat difficult to drive in town with the heavier steering and brakes, but it excels on country roads where you can get up to speed and enjoy its excellent performance provided by its engine.
