Lot 42. 1949 JAGUAR XK120 ALLOY OPEN TWO-SEATER. Chassis no. 670056. Engine no. W1108-8. Estimate US$ 380,000 - 480,000 (€340,000 - 430,000). Photo: Bonhams.

3,442cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine; 2 Tall-style SU Carburetors; 160bhp at 5,200rpm; 4-Speed Manual Transmission; Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle; 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*One of only 184 left-hand-drive alloy-bodied Roadsters
*Matching numbers
*Comprehensively restored to a high standard 
*Displayed at the 50th Anniversary of LeMans and Monthléry Jaguar Museum
*JDHT certificate

The Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster

First unveiled in London at the Earls Court Automobile Show in 1948 the XK-120 was a "stunner that left spectators agog," its flowing, functional body lines were said to have been personally designed by the hand of Mr. William Lyons, himself, General Manager of Jaguar Cars Ltd. The 3.4 liter six-cylinder DOHC engine producing 160bhp was capable of propelling the car to over 120mph. Moreover, it could putter away in second gear from a standstill or pull without balking from 15mph in 4th gear. 

While characterized in the press as "a very fast, tractable touring car and not a racer despite its looks," the alloy-bodied XK-120 showed its teeth with great success in sports car events, notably the Production Car Race at Silverstone and during a speed test in Belgium clocked 126mph over a flying mile with stock windshield and side windows erected making it at the time the "fastest series production car in the world and yet displaying the flexibility and even the silkiness and smoothness of a mild-mannered saloon," so reported the April 14th, 1950 issue of the British enthusiast magazine Autocar.

Jaguar thought they could probably sell 250 of the new cars, the total of the planned initial production run for the two-seater roadster. Delays in producing the steel body molds prompted the building of 240 hand-beaten aluminum bodied cars. This example is one of those few surviving alloy bodied cars. No two cars were alike. In fact the aluminum panels made for the for original run would not even fit on the later "mass produced" steel body 120's further distinguishing them as unique machines.

Lot 42. 1949 JAGUAR XK120 ALLOY OPEN TWO-SEATER. Chassis no. 670056. Engine no. W1108-8. Estimate US$ 380,000 - 480,000 (€340,000 - 430,000). Photo: Bonhams.

The Motorcar Offered

To the discriminating Post-war Jaguar collector, there can be no more desirable possession than an alloy-bodied XK120 roadster. Only 242 were made, and many have been converted to competition use. A left-hand-drive example with rear fender spats and disc wheels is even more of a scarcity; there were only 184 of these very special cars, making the wonderful example offered here even more collectable.

Chassis number 670056 was the 56th of that small LHD series and according to its Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Certificate, left the Coventry works on December 14, 1949, and was shipped to the company's New York distributor, Max Hoffman, on the third of January, 1950. While the name of its original American purchaser and early history have been lost to time, we know that this wonderful machine remained in the US until the late 1960s, at which time it was sold to a well-known French collector. It participated in the 50th Anniversary celebration of the fabled 24 Hours of LeMans endurance race, first run in 1923. Around 1978, this Jaguar was sold to another collector with the intent of displaying it at a racing museum at Montlhéry. During the period 2006-2007, this car was treated to a comprehensive no-expense-spared restoration in Europe and brought back to original specification. It was found to be entirely numbers-matching in all respects. The body was removed from the frame; both were stripped, and resprayed in their correct factory colors. The interior was re-upholstered in correct red leather by Master Jaguar trimmers, who also paid great care in restoring the car's black soft-top. All glass was replaced, mechanical systems were completely overhauled, including the engine, transmission, rear axle, and brakes; the electrical system was renovated, including the original tripod headlamps and other lights; all instruments were properly restored, new suspension parts installed including springs and shock absorbers; a new stainless exhaust system fabricated, and the engine and other components run-in after re-assembly. In short, this historically-important automobile was brought back to absolutely top form. At a recent JCNA Concours d'Elegance in Southern California, this car received an almost-perfect 99.67 points of 100 possible, and took 1st place in the event.

The next owner of this wonderful Jaguar, which shows a mere 81,620 miles on its odometer, will be provided with a comprehensive folio of documents, restoration photographs, receipts, and Concours judging sheets along with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate dated September 22, 2005. This magnificent Jaguar stands as the archetypal and most desirable of the Alloy-bodies series of XK roadsters, and presents the serious collector with a rarely afforded opportunity to own a coveted piece of Jaguar motor history.

Bonham's. QUAIL LODGE AUCTION, 11:00 PDT - CARMEL, QUAIL LODGE & GOLF CLUB