The fastest series car of its time
In 1948, Jaguar launched the XK 120 OTS model on the market. The “Open Two Seater” was intended to replace the S.S. 100 model and attract a new group of buyers. The shape had a streamlined appearance and was highly modern at the time. Its presentation at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948 caused a sensation. The press rejoiced: “The Jaguar XK 120 stole the show…” Originally, the XK 120 OTS with its aluminium body was only to be produced in a very small series of around 200 units. The glamorous appearance was such a hit that Jaguar was literally overwhelmed by demand.
The fastest series car of its time
In 1948, Jaguar launched the XK 120 OTS model on the market. The “Open Two Seater” was intended to replace the S.S. 100 model and attract a new group of buyers. The shape had a streamlined appearance and was highly modern at the time. Its presentation at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948 caused a sensation. The press rejoiced: “The Jaguar XK 120 stole the show…” Originally, the XK 120 OTS with its aluminium body was only to be produced in a very small series of around 200 units. The glamorous appearance was such a hit that Jaguar was literally overwhelmed by demand.
The decision was made to go into series production and, as a result, the traditional body with aluminium skin over an ash wood frame was abandoned. Instead, the series was produced in sheet steel. It took a whole year for production to get going, with only a few vehicles being delivered. It was not until 1950 that Jaguar was able to report effective production of the XK 120 series.
Right from the start, most models were exported to countries such as the USA and Australia. There were two reasons for this. Great Britain urgently needed foreign currency to be able to buy the expensive raw materials that were lacking, and secondly, England needed a prestigious vehicle to attract foreign customers to England. The majority of Jaguars were therefore built as left-hand drive models.
The XK 120 also found many prominent buyers in Hollywood who wanted to present themselves in this sporty and elegant sports car. Compared to its predecessor, the S.S. 100, the headlights of the Jaguar XK 120 were no longer mounted above the wings, but integrated into the wings next to the bonnet. The tripods in the headlights are a typically recognisable feature of the XK 120.
Under the bonnet is a 3 ½ inline six-cylinder engine with a capacity of 3,442 cc and 160 hp at 5,000 rpm. Two overhead camshafts drive the valve lift. The concept of overhead camshafts from the pre-war days did not actually have a very good reputation, as it was considered unreliable. But with the XK engine, a new generation of engines was created that stood for reliability and indestructibility. The rear axle is mounted on semi-elliptical leaf springs, while the front axle swings on wishbones with coil springs. Braking is provided by drum brakes on all four wheels.
The roadster shown here is one of the first, rare aluminium-bodied cars to be hand-built on a wooden frame. It was the first XK120 to be delivered to mainland Europe after the war to a Parisian racing driver.
