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The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. It was Jaguar's first sports car since SS 100 production ended in 1939.

Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120 open 2-seater
Overview
ManufacturerJaguar Cars
Production1948–1954
12,055 made [1]
AssemblyHolbrook Lane, Coventry, England, United Kingdom (1948-1951)
Browns Lane, Coventry, England, United Kingdom (1951-54)
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body styleopen two-seater
2-seat fixed head coupé
2-seat drophead coupé
LayoutFR layout
RelatedJaguar C-Type
Powertrain
Engine3.4 L XK I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase102 in (2,591 mm)[2][3]
Length173 in (4,394 mm)[2]
Width61.5 in (1,562 mm)[2]
Height52.5 in (1,334 mm)[2]
Chronology
PredecessorSS Jaguar 100
SuccessorJaguar XK140

The XK120 is a highly desirable model. In 2016, Bonhams sold a matching numbers left-hand-drive alloy-bodied roadster - one of only 184 - for $396,000 (£302,566). This marks the highest price achieved for an XK120 at auction so far.[4]


History


The first production XK120, chassis number 670003 originally owned by Clark Gable, at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  The XK120 was the world's fastest production car at the time of its debut.
The first production XK120, chassis number 670003 originally owned by Clark Gable, at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The XK120 was the world's fastest production car at the time of its debut.

The XK120 was launched in open two-seater or (US) roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testbed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine designed by Jaguar Chief Engineer William Heynes. The display car was the first prototype, chassis number 660001. It looked almost identical to the production cars except that the straight outer pillars of its windscreen were curved on the production version. The sports car caused a sensation, which persuaded Jaguar founder and Chairman William Lyons to put it into production.

Beginning in 1948, the first 242 cars wore wood-framed open 2-seater bodies with aluminium panels.[5] Production switched to the 1cwt or 112 lb (51 kg) heavier[6] all-steel in early 1950. The "120" in the name referred to the aluminium car's 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed (faster with the windscreen removed), which made it the world's fastest production car at the time of its launch.[7] In 1949 the first production car, chassis number 670003, was delivered to Clark Gable.

1951 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe
1951 XK120 Fixed Head Coupe

The XK120 was ultimately available in three versions or body styles, first as an open 2-seater described in the US market as a roadster (OTS) then as a fixed head coupé (FHC) from 1951 and finally as a drophead coupé (DHC) from 1953, all two-seaters and available with Left (LHD) or Right Hand Drive (RHD). However, certain Special Equipment roadster and fixed head coupe cars were produced between 1948 and 1949 denoted by an 'S' preceding the chassis number. These Special Equipment cars were sold as an early production build for enthusiasts.[citation needed]

A version with a smaller engine (2-litre 4-cylinder) designated the XK100 and intended for the UK market was cancelled prior to production.

On 30 May 1949, on the empty Ostend-Jabbeke motorway in Belgium, a prototype XK120 timed by the officials of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium achieved an average of runs in opposing directions of 132.6 mph with the windscreen replaced by just one small aero screen and a catalogued alternative top gear ratio,[note 1] and 135 mph with a passenger-side tonneau cover in place.[8] In 1950 and 1951, at Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, a banked oval track in France, open XK120s averaged over 100 mph for 24 hours and over 130 mph for an hour. In 1952 a fixed-head coupé took numerous world records for speed and distance when it averaged 100 mph for a week.

XK120s were also highly successful in racing and rallying.


Construction


A 1950 aluminium-bodied XK120 that was formerly owned by Clemente Biondetti. It is equipped with competition seats and a Moto-Lita aftermarket steering wheel; positions of tachometer and speedometer have been reversed
A 1950 aluminium-bodied XK120 that was formerly owned by Clemente Biondetti. It is equipped with competition seats and a Moto-Lita aftermarket steering wheel; positions of tachometer and speedometer have been reversed

The first 242 production XK120s, hand-built with aluminium bodies on ash framing mounted on a steel chassis mostly copied from the Jaguar Mark V chassis using many of the same parts, were constructed between late 1948 and early 1950. To meet demand, and beginning with the 1950 model year, all subsequent XK120s were mass-produced with pressed-steel bodies. Aluminium doors, bonnet, and boot lid were retained. The DHC and FHC versions, more luxuriously appointed than the constantly exposed open cars, had wind-up windows and wood veneers on the dashboard and interior door caps.

1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia
1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia

With a high-temperature, high-strength aluminum alloy cylinder head, hemispherical combustion chambers, inclined valves[9] and twin side-draft SU carburetors, the dual overhead-cam 3.4 L straight-6 XK engine was highly advanced for a mass-produced unit of the time. Using 80 octane fuel a standard 8:1 compression ratio developed 160 bhp (119 kW).[2] Most of the early cars were exported; a 7:1 low-compression version, with commensurately reduced performance, was reserved for the UK market, where the post-war austerity measures then in force restricted buyers to 70 octane "Pool petrol". The Jaguar factory's access to 80 octane fuel allowed it to provide cars with the higher compression ratio to the press, enabling journalists to test the model's optimum performance in Belgium, on a long, straight stretch of road between Jabbeke and Ostend.[10] The XK engine's basic design by William Heynes, later modified into 3.8 and 4.2-litre versions, survived until 1992.

All XK120s had independent Heynes designed torsion bar front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, recirculating ball steering, telescopically adjustable steering column, and all-round 12-inch drum brakes which were prone to fade.[11] Some cars were fitted with Alfin (ALuminium FINned) brake drums to help overcome the fade.

1951 XK120 racing at Silverstone has a single aero screen mounted behind the removable full-width windscreen
1951 XK120 racing at Silverstone has a single aero screen mounted behind the removable full-width windscreen

The open two-seater's lightweight canvas top and detachable sidescreens stowed out of sight behind the seats. Its doors had no external handles. There was an interior pull-cord accessed through a flap in the sidescreens when the weather equipment was in place. The windscreen could be removed for aeroscreens to be fitted.

The drophead coupé (DHC) had a padded, lined canvas top, which folded onto the rear deck behind the seats when retracted, and roll-up windows with opening quarter lights. The flat glass two-piece windscreen was set in a steel frame that was integrated with the body and painted the same colour.

XK120 drophead coupé
XK120 drophead coupé

Dashboards and door-caps in both the DHC and the closed coupé (FHC) were wood-veneered, whereas the open cars were leather-trimmed. All models had removable spats ("fender skirts" in America) covering the rear wheel arches, which enhanced the streamlined look. On cars fitted with optional centre-lock wire wheels (available from 1951), the spats were omitted as they gave insufficient clearance for the chromed, two-eared Rudge-Whitworth knockoff hubs. Chromium-plated wire wheels were optional from 1953. Factory standard 6.00 × 16-inch cross ply tyres were fitted on 16 × 5K solid wheels (Pre–1951), with 185VR16 Pirelli Cinturato radial tyres available as a later option.[12]

In addition to wire wheels, upgrades on the Special Equipment (SE) version (called the M version for Modified in the United States) included increased power, stiffer suspension and dual exhaust system.[citation needed]


Engine specifications


XK 120 ENGINES[13][14]
Model Years Displacement Configuration Bore x stroke Carburetor Power
XK 120 3.4 1948–1954
3,441 cc (3.4 L; 210.0 cu in)
DOHC Straight-6
83 mm × 106 mm (3.27 in × 4.17 in)
Double SU H6 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) @ 5000 rpm
XK 120 3.4 SE for Special Equipment (unofficially called the "M" for Modified in the USA) higher lift camshafts and twin exhaust pipes offered as a factory option beginning mid-1951 per Service Bulletin #95 dated June 1951 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) @ 5300 rpm
XK 120 3.4 modified by agent/dealer or owner (C-Type Head and larger SU carbs) racing parts made available through agents/dealers beginning in 1953 per Service Bulletin #95A dated April 1953 Double SU H8 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS) @ 5750 rpm
XK 120 3.4 modified by agent/dealer or owner for racing (C-Type Head and Weber carbs) racing carbs and manifold not supplied by the factory Double DCO3 40mm Weber 220 bhp (164 kW; 223 PS)

Performance


The Motor magazine road-tested an XK120 in November 1949. This pre-production car, chassis number 660001, road-registered as HKV 455, was the first prototype built. It was also the 1948 London Motor Show display model, and had been driven by Prince Bira in the 1949 Silverstone Production Car Race. When tested, it had the 8:1 compression ratio, was fitted with an undertray, and ran with hood and sidescreens in place. The magazine reported a top speed of 124.6 mph (200.5 km/h), acceleration from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 10.0 seconds and fuel consumption of 19.8 miles per imperial gallon (14.3 L/100 km; 16.5 mpgUS). The car as tested cost £1263 including taxes.[2]

The XK120 M for US market accelerated from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 8.7 seconds, a top speed was 132 mph (212 km/h) by speedometer, but actual top speed was about 120 mph (193 km/h).[15]


Racing and rallying


XK120s were active in racing and rallying:


1949



1950


In 1950 Jaguar allocated six alloy-bodied XK120s to drivers Leslie Johnson, Peter Walker, Nick Haines, Clemente Biondetti, Ian Appleyard and Tommy Wisdom.

This 1950 XK120 won a Coupe des Alpes and a Coupe d'Or
This 1950 XK120 won a Coupe des Alpes and a Coupe d'Or

1951



1952



1954



High-speed runs and records



1949



1950



1951


This 1952 XK120 fixed-head coupė averaged 100 mph for a week
This 1952 XK120 fixed-head coupė averaged 100 mph for a week

1952



1953



Production


Right-hand Left-hand Total
Open two-seater 1170 6436 7606
Fixed-head 195 2477 2672
Drop-head 295 1472 1767
Total 1660 10385 12045

XK100 development


A 2-litre four-cylinder version of the twin cam XK engine was to have powered an XK100 variant of the XK120 for the UK market.[22] Details of the model were included in an "Advance Particulars" brochure for the XK[23] but Jaguar's managers were dissatisfied with the engine and the project was cancelled prior to production.[22]


Note


  1. The Times, 31 May 1949
    Ostend 30 May: British Car's Speed Record
    (extracts)
    A Jaguar 3½-litre sports car . . . travelled at a timed speed of 132 mph on the Ostend-Jabbeke motorway today . . . The runs were timed by officials of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium . . . moreover it was running on normal Belgian pump petrol and at the end of its high speed runs it demonstrated its ability to throttle down to 15 mph in top gear and to accelerate speedily without pinking. Running with the hood up, the car averaged 126.4 mph for a mile in two runs in opposite directions. The fastest mean speed of 132.5 mph was reached with a racing windscreen in place, the best run being made at 133.2 mph. The car also covered a kilometre from a standing start at a speed of 74.1 mph and a mile at 86.4 mph.

References



Notes


  1. Robson, G (2006). A-Z of British Cars 1945–1980. Devon, UK: Herridge. ISBN 0-9541063-9-3.
  2. "The Jaguar 2-seater Type XK120 Road Test". The Motor. 1949.
  3. (XK120) Specification storm.oldcarmanualproject.com accessed 26 October 2019
  4. "1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Open Two-Seater - Bonhams".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. Page 167, Chris Harvey.The Jaguar XK, Oxford Illustrated Press, UK. 1978. ISBN 0-902280-57-0, ISBN 978-0-902280-57-1
  6. Page 8 Roger Hicks, Jaguar: an illustrated history of the world's most elegant sports car Crescent Books, New York 1989 ISBN 0-517-67413-0, ISBN 978-0-517-67413-0
  7. Holloway, Hilton; Buckley, Martin (2002). 20th Century Car Design. Carlton Books. ISBN 1-84222-835-8.
  8. Porter, Philip (1998). Jaguar Sports Racing Cars, Bay View Books. ISBN 1-901432-21-1
  9. Jaguar XK120 1948 - 1954 Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from www.inopian.com on 28 November 2014
  10. "3½-litre XK120 Jaguar Super Sports (road test)". Autocar. 2 September 1949.
  11. Dron, Tony, Buying classics: A beauty past her prime, retrieved 22 February 2017
  12. Paul Skilleter, Jaguar Sports Cars, pp.307 ISBN 0-85429-166-0.
  13. Jaguar XK120 Specifications www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au, Retrieved on 4 November 2008
  14. The Jaguar XK100 and XK120 (The Jaguar Database) www.car-nection.com, Retrieved on 4 November 2008
  15. Floyd Clymer (January 1955). "Clymer road tests the Jaguar". Popular Mechanics. 103 (1): 96–103. Retrieved 24 February 2022 via Google Books.
  16. Buckley, Martin: Jaguar: Fifty Years of Speed and Style p.120. Haynes Publishing 2003, ISBN 978-1-85960-875-3
  17. Nevinson, Tim: "Flat out for a week" Thoroughbred and Classic Cars June 2008 p. 84.
  18. Photograph of Biondetti's XK120 prepared for the 1950 Mille Miglia. www.xkdata.com, accessed 26 October 2019
  19. Al Keller, Legends of NASCAR website; includes photo of Keller with XK120
  20. Manwaring, Leonard Albert, ed. (1969). The Observer's Book of Automobiles (Fifteenth ed.). F. Warne. p. 137.
  21. "Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust". www.jaguarheritage.com. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  22. "Generation X – Jaguar's XK Heritage, www.classicmotor.co.uk, as archived at". Archived from the original on 1 January 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  23. Advance Particulars of the new Jaguar Type XK "100" & "120" Super Sports Models Archived 9 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from www.badgers-british.com on 18 November 2009

Bibliography





На других языках


[de] Jaguar XK 120

Der Jaguar XK 120 ist ein zweisitziger Roadster, den Jaguar 1948 als Nachfolger des S.S.100 auf den Markt brachte.
- [en] Jaguar XK120

[es] Jaguar XK (1948-1961)

Los Jaguar XK son automóviles deportivos que fueron producidos por la marca Jaguar desde 1948 hasta 1961. Tuvieron un impacto sin precedentes en las ventas del fabricante inglés, y fueron los primeros automóviles nuevos producido en su totalidad por la firma tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Fue revolucionario en su época y un éxito instantáneo. Este modelo hoy en día es considerado como un icono del automovilismo de todos los tiempos.

[fr] Jaguar XK120

La Jaguar XK120 est une voiture de sport à deux places (découverte ou coupé) produite par la marque automobile britannique Jaguar de 1948 à 1954.

[it] Jaguar XK120

La XK120 è un'autovettura sportiva di lusso prodotta dalla Jaguar dal 1948 al 1954 in 12.055 esemplari[1]. È stata la prima vettura della Casa automobilistica del giaguaro di carattere sportivo dopo la SS 100, che fu prodotta fino al 1940.

[ru] Jaguar XK120

Jaguar XK120 — спортивный автомобиль фирмы «Jaguar», выпускался в период с 1948 по 1954 год. Максимальная скорость серийного автомобиля — 200.5 км/ч, специально подготовленного — 219.83 км/ч.



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