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1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Drophead Coupé

Sale 14487 - Les Grandes Marques a Monaco - Important Historic Motor Cars and Automobilia, 20 May 2006
Lot No: 168
1954 Jaguar XK120SE Roadster
Chassis no. S675852
Engine no. F3461-8S

Sold for €36,800 inclusive of Buyer's Premium

Told by the post-war Labour government to 'export or die' the British motor industry responded valiantly, none more so than Jaguar Cars, soon to become the UK's biggest US-dollar earner thanks in no small measure to the success of its XK120 sports car. Ironically, the XK120's creation had only come about because delays in the gestation of the MkVII saloon had forced Jaguar to find an alternative method of bringing its new XK six-cylinder engine to public attention.

Conceived as a low-volume model, the XK120 proved considerably more popular than expected, the resulting demand for what was then the world's fastest production car taking Jaguar by surprise. It was immediately obvious that the ash-framed alloy coachwork - hand-built in the best vintage tradition - would have to go and the XK120 was re-engineered in steel after 240 cars had been completed.

The '120' referred to the car's top speed, any doubts about that claim's veracity being swiftly banished when a standard X120 achieved a top speed of 126.4mph with hood and side screens erected, and 132.6mph minus its weather protection and equipped with an under-tray! 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 which boosted power from the stock 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.

Other than the odometer reading (64,146 miles) and the fact that its engine is in running condition, no information had been made available concerning this left-hand drive XK120 roadster at time of going to press. However, the ‘S’ chassis number prefix/engine number suffix indicates that it is a Special Equipment model fitted with the C-type cylinder head. It is hoped that further information will be available at time of sale.