Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe 1952 for sale

The XK120 set new standards in terms of comfort, handling, performance, and style for British sports cars. Its striking presence, the XK120, was built on a separate chassis, with independent front suspension via wishbones and torsion bars, an active rear axle, and large hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners. The heart of the car was, of course, the fantastic XK engine. The 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine, designed during wartime and intended for post-war Jaguar saloons, embodied the best of modern design, with dual overhead camshafts in an aluminum head, seven main bearings, and a maximum power output of 160 hp combined with infinite torque. The body was the work of Jaguar's chief, William Lyons himself – and is generally considered one of the most beautiful shapes ever to appear on a car – and was conceived as an aluminum structure for the simple reason that Jaguar expected to sell no more than 200 XK120 Roadsters – or Open Two Seater (OTS) – in the first year! The magnificently beautiful and well-balanced Fixed Head Coupé (FHC) quickly followed, and is still one of the most celebrated closed coupe designs to this day on a non-coachbuilt car, resembling some of the finest lines of Jean Bugatti's masterpiece, the Type 57 Atalante. Jaguar's claim was duly verified when a carefully prepared example reached a speed of 200.4 km/h with the hood and fenders raised and 212.10 km/h without weather protection and fitted with a belly pan! The XK120 was also the foundation of the Jaguar racing dynasty and the first model for many future automotive legends, including Stirling Moss and Phil Hill. At various levels, Jaguar's 'XK' engine propelled the Jaguar XK 120 C-, C-Type- and D-Type racing cars to dominance in international racing, including five Jaguar victories (1951, 1953, 1955-57) during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. If you wish to sell your vintage or classic car, Metropole Sales can purchase it or take it on consignment. Consignment relieves you of the burden of the selling process. Additionally, your car is both