Jaguar XK120 Roadster, 1954
Chassis No.: S674966 $134,750 | Sold • Exterior: Wedgewood Blue • Interior: Gray/Blue • Body: Roadster • 6-cylinder engine • 4-speed manual transmission • Wedgewood Blue • Blue and Gray interior • Chrome wire wheels • Whitewall tires • Blue cloth soft top • 21,800 miles From its landmark introduction at the London Motor Show held at Earls Court in 1948, Jaguar’s brilliant XK120 stood in stark contrast to every other sports car available at the time and forced every other manufacturer back to the drawing board. The first model powered by the all-new DOHC inline 6-cylinder XK engine, the XK120 was the world’s fastest production car at introduction and begat a succession of exciting new Jaguar automobiles through the early 1970s. As Jaguar expert Philip Porter recently wrote for an Octane magazine retrospective article, the XK120 “… burst into a very grey world that was still recovering from the ravages of World War II, and which only served to heighten the drama of the car’s entrance.” Originally conceived simply to publicly showcase Jaguar’s all-new XK twin-cam engine while its intended Mark VII saloon chassis was still being readied for introduction, the XK120 was in fact, as Jaguar authority Paul Skilleter described, “… an afterthought car, an unplanned, accidental offshoot of the saloon range, it enhanced the Jaguar image enormously, besides earning many thousands of valuable dollars.” With its potent DOHC 3.4L inline 6-cylinder engine, independent front suspension, adventurous beauty and reasonable price, the XK120 redefined the “sports car” concept at one stroke. Most importantly, the XK120 quickly earned a lasting niche in the lucrative American export market for Jaguar. Visually striking in Wedgewood Blue, this late-production, left-hand drive 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster is a compelling example of one of the most important postwar sports cars ever produced. This XK120 shows just 21,800 miles and includes the sole transmission choice available from the factory during the model’s production run: a sporting 4-speed manual gearbox. The blue and gray-upholstered cockpit includes blue carpeting and simply looks great, benefiting handsomely from proper care over the years. Accents include a blue cloth soft top and knock-off chrome wire wheels mounting a set of whitewall tires. Luggage is included and completes the glamorous appearance and feel of this collector-worthy sporting legend. https://www.mecum.com/lots/485070/1954-jaguar-xk120-roadster/