1950 Jaguar XK120

This 1950 Jaguar XK120 is one of approximately 240 aluminum-bodied roadsters manufactured between 1948 and 1950, of which about 180 were left-hand drive. Chassis 670110 was completed on January 26, 1950 and dispatched the following month for distribution via Toronto-based importer James L. Cooke. It was acquired by the seller as a parts car out of Ontario in the early 1970s and was subsequently relocated to California before undergoing a refurbishment that is said to have included rebuilding the body and frame. The car is finished in metallic blue with a beige soft top over two-tone blue and gray leather upholstery, and it is powered by a replacement 3.4L inline-six mated to a Moss four-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes rear wheel spats, Lucas front fog lamps, body-color steel wheels, and dual SU carburetors. This alloy-bodied XK120 is now offered with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, a pair of removable side curtain frames, a tool roll, and a Washington title in the seller’s name. The XK120 debuted at the 1948 London Motor Show in open two-seater form with handmade alloy bodywork over an ash wood frame. The “120” in the name referred to the car’s 120-mph top speed, which made it the world’s fastest production car at the time. In response to increased public demand, steel panels were utilized beginning in 1950 to facilitate wider-scale production. The Fixed Head and Drop Head Coupés were added to the line-up prior to the conclusion of production in 1954 with approximately 12k total units assembled, most of which were sold in the American market. Finished from the factory in Pastel Blue, this example was repainted in the early 2000s, reportedly following rebuilds of the alloy body and ash wood frame by Leaping Cats Limited of Coventry, England. The brightwork was re-plated and the weatherstripping was also replaced at that time. The beige soft top features a glass rear window, and additional details include rear wheel spats, split chrome front bumpers and rear bumperettes, and Lucas front fog lamps. There is a dent on the passenger-side rear quarter panel. Two side curtain frames missing the glass and fabric are included in the sale. Body-color 16” steel wheels wear matching hubcaps and are mounted with Dunlop tires. A full-size spare is housed in the rear storage area. Stopping power is provided by drum brakes at each corner. The XK120 rode on an independent torsion bar front suspension with semi-elliptic rear leaf springs that have been replaced per the seller. The car is said to sit higher out back than up front. The cabin houses seats trimmed in two-tone blue and gray leather upholstery with a color-keyed dashboard, blue door panels, and darker blue carpets. A four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of Smiths instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep tachometer with an analog clock, and supplementary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 4 miles, and total mileage is unknown. The replacement 3.4L inline-six is equipped with dual SU carburetors and was rebuilt around two decades ago. Fluid changes were performed in April 2023. A handful of images taken during the rebuild are shown in the gallery and include a photo of the block stamping. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a replacement Moss four-speed manual gearbox that was rebuilt within the last two decades according to the seller. Additional underside images are provided in the gallery below. The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate lists the factory colors, identification numbers, build date, and distribution through James L. Cooke of Toronto, Canada. There is a second XK120 that shares chassis number 670110. It has been represented to us that one individual owned both vehicles concurrently many years ago and swapped several of the parts between the two cars during their ownership. The Washington title carries an Antique brand.