1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire 50000 - 60000 Registration No: MUC 424 Chassis No: 660920 MOT: Exempt � A home market example that was finished to special order in the unique colour scheme of Primrose Yellow over a Black interior � Notably original and retains its period correct 'spats and steels' plus Moss gearbox etc � Subject to previous restoration work and presents in fine mechanical fettle Launched at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, the Jaguar XK120 Roadster caused a sensation. Penned by Sir William Lyons, the model's sensuous lines seemed almost impossibly glamorous to a country still feeling the effects of rationing. While the 120mph top speed that its name signified soon became the stuff of legend. Literally flooded with orders, Jaguar began limited hand-built production soon thereafter (although, it was not until 1950 that the factory was sufficiently 'tooled-up to discard aluminium in favor of steel for the curvaceous bodywork). Based around a cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with independent torsion-bar front suspension, a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle and hydraulic drum brakes, the lithe two-seater proved equally adept on-road or track winning both the RAC TT and Alpine Trial during 1950 (the former victory coming at the hands of Sir Stirling Moss). Credited with 160bhp and 190lbft of torque in standard tune, its legendary 3442cc DOHC straight-six engine was allied to four-speed manual transmission. Arguably, the defining sportscar of its generation, a perilously shaky post-WW2 British economy gave the Coventry manufacturer little choice but to concentrate on overseas sales and resultingly, home market examples are notably scarce, with just 1,170 right-hand drive OTS's built out of a total of 7,606. More information to follow.