Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster, 1953
Chassis No.: W72608S Auction: Monterey 2026 Auction date: August 15, 2026 Lot No.: R136 • Engine: Inline 6-cylinder • Transmission: Manual • Exterior: Black • Interior: Black • Body: Roadster • In 1949 the Jaguar XK120 was the fastest production car in the world • 3.4L DOHC inline 6-cylinder engine with C-Type heads • 4-speed manual transmission • Left-hand drive • Factory British Racing Green car that was painted Black in 1990 • Black folding soft top • Factory Tan interior car that has been re-upholstered with matching Black interior • Knock-off wire wheels • Held by seller since 1973 • Originally distributed through Hornburg Jaguar of Santa Monica, California • Jaguar Heritage Certificate • Includes service manual and receipts Although onlookers at the 1948 London Motor Show gazed in wonder at the sensational new Jaguar XK120, there were some who doubted the performance implied by its name. Naysayers ate their words when in May 1949, an XK120 with aero-screens and undertray averaged 132.6 MPH on the flying mile on the Jabbeke autoroute in Belgium. With cars in standard trim capable of 120 MPH, the XK120 was quite simply the world’s fastest production car. As for XK, that stands for the advanced alloy-headed 6-cylinder twin-overhead-cam XK engine. The space-framed competition version, the XK120C, better known as the C-type, won Le Mans in 1951 and 1953. That’s particularly pertinent in the case of this 1953 roadster, as it’s a Special Equipment model (as signified by the S suffix to the VIN) with the high-performance C-type cylinder head. The initial XK120 produced 160 HP. The SE, available from 1951, pushed out 180 HP, with mods including twin exhaust for better breathing. Then in 1953, Jaguar added the factory option of the C-type cylinder head, boosting power to 210 HP. That’s what we have here. Of approximately 12,000 XK120s produced to 1954 as roadsters, drop-head coupes and fixed heads, 85% went for export. The vast majority of those came to the U.S., including this 1953 left-hand-drive roadster, originally distributed through Hornburg Jaguar of Santa Monica, California. Factory delivered in British Racing Green with a tan interior, the long-term owner, who has held the car since 1973, had the car painted black in 1990. With a matching black interior, its almost predatory road presence is completed with matching black convertible top and center-lock wire wheels, which became an option in 1951. The car is accompanied by a Jaguar Heritage Certificate, along with manuals and receipts. https://www.mecum.com/lots/1175989/1953-jaguar-xk120-se-roadster
