Lot 229: 1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé

Conceived and constructed in but a few months, 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. Its stunning appearance notwithstanding, the XK120 was conventional enough beneath the skin, being built on a separate chassis featuring independent front suspension by means of wishbones and torsion bars, a live rear axle and drum brakes all round. The car’s heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine. Conceived in wartime and intended for Jaguar’s post-war range-topping saloon, the 3.4-litre six embodied the best of modern design, boasting twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminium-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. When installed in the lightweight XK120, the result was a car with a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio and blistering performance.
The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sportscars and in keeping with the Jaguar tradition there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupé and Drophead Coupé versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment package that boosted power from 160 to 180bhp. With either engine and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising.
Rarest of the three XK120 variants (just 1,769 Drophead Coupés were built compared with 7,631 Roadsters and 2,678 Fixed Head Coupés) this right-hand drive drophead represents Jaguar’s classic XK sports car in its early, purest form. The car was purchased by the vendor from classic dealer Hendon Way Motors in April 2004 and since then has benefited from expenditure of some £10,000. Works undertaken include replacing the rear axle, installing a BMW gearbox and clutch, fitting an electric radiator fan, and re-plating assorted brightwork, the engine already having been rebuilt (in 1993) by G Roberts, of Finchley (invoices and photographic record available). While in the current ownership ‘URB 740’ has been kept garaged and used regularly in fine weather, and is offered for sale only because the vendor’s business commitments will limit the opportunities for driving it in the future. The car comes with Jaguar/Daimler heritage certificate, sundry invoices, current MoT certificate and Swansea V5 registration document.