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Silver | Roadster | 4 Speed Manual | 3.4 litre inline 6 Cylinder | 73,685 miles | Chassis Number 660050 |
Whilst most would be certain the Jaguar XK120 was born for greatness, post-WWII William Lyons expected that the future fortune of his company, re-named Jaguar Cars Ltd, would be made on the saloon cars that would sell in export markets especially in the U.S - therefore a new dual overhead-cam, six-cylinder, 160 horsepower engine was developed to power a new luxury sports four-door.
However, the new car was not ready yet....
It was decided to proceed to launch the engine in a limited run of alloy-bodied roadsters and when displayed at the 1948 Earl’s Court Motor Show, the XK120 created a sensation like none other.
The XK120 produced 160 bhp from its 3,442 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine with twin SU H6 carburettors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front and live rear axles with semi-elliptic spring rear suspension.
Following a top-speed run on a Belgian highway in 1949, the XK120 ran 126 mph with its windshield on and 132 mph without. It was final that this would become a regular production model.
After 240 alloy cars were built, production was shifted to a more easily manageable steel, which was now more widely available following post-war material shortages – therefore today, the alloy bodied XK120 roadster remains the most desirable and collectible of all the XK120 variants.
With only 58 right-hand drives built and just 20 delivered new to our shores, available on our showroom floor is one of the most original alloy bodied roadsters known in Australia with an incredible history.
Offered here is a 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy OTS in its original Silver paintwork and duo-blue interior leather upholstery, numbers matching with what we believe an original 73,685 miles from new.
Ordered new through Australian Jaguar distributor Brylaws by Dr G.L Young with the chassis completed on the 15th of February 1950 and first registered in Coventry on the 13th of March 1950.
Dr G.L Young was a medical practitioner from Forbes, a country town in New South Wales whom also flew planes and later in 1943 became what was known as the “Flying Doctor”.
Young took delivery of his new Jaguar XK120 in Coventry on the 14th of March 1950 with a plan to travel across the U.K and Europe (including Austria) covering approximately 15,000 miles within the space of a few months.
In August 1950, chassis no. 660050 climbed aboard the cargo vessel “King Edgar” and made its way across the Indian Ocean arriving to Sydney, Australia in September 1950 where Brylaws resold the Jaguar to a dealer in Melbourne.
It’s new owner Mr H. E Thompson registered the vehicle in Victoria in October 1950 and later raced it at Rob Roy in January 1951.
It then changed hands to Mr T. Woolnough of Armadale before spending the next 28 years with B. Long of Toorak.
Purchased in 1981 by T. Healy whom rebuilt the brakes and re-upholstered the interior using factory materials correct to the car.
T. Healey then sold it to famous Sydney radio personality John ‘Lawsie’ Laws who owned the Jaguar for the next 24 years where the XK120 famously appeared as a cameo on John Laws’ celebrity endorsed advertisements for Valvoline with his popular catch phrase “Valvoline, you know what I mean”.
In May 2004, it was acquired by it’s final owner Mr D. Lane where he had the car painted and drove it occasionally.
15 years later, the Jaguar was unearthed from storage where it had sat for some time. Classic Jaguar restoration specialist - Gavin King of Concours Sportscar Restoration - had his work cut out for him and commenced recommissioning the Jaguar.
A full mechanical overhaul was carried out sympathetic towards the originality of the car, the body was thoroughly inspected for any common wood rot and was reported to require no restoration work.
Today the car drives beautifully, the motor feels strong, the gearbox is smooth, its brakes are finely tuned and the suspension is firm.
A wonderful example of what was once the worlds the fastest production car, your classic car collection wouldn’t be completed without one, so don't miss this opportunity to own a rare right-hand drive Australian delivered Jaguar XK120 Alloy OTS.