c.1952 Jaguar XK120 Engine and Chassis

Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Auction|2 June 2019, 11:00 EDT|Greenwich

c.1952 Jaguar XK120 Engine and Chassis
Engine no. W5955-8S

3,442cc DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors
160bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Complete Chassis, Engine and Transmission
*Good candidate for a rebodied special
*A piece of backwoods Connecticut archeology

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Conceived and constructed in but a few months, the XK120 debuted at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show where the stunning-looking roadster caused a sensation.

The XK120's heart was, of course, the fabulous XK engine, which had been developed during the war and was intended for Jaguar's forthcoming Mark VII saloon. A 3.4-liter "six" embodying the best of modern design, it boasted twin overhead camshafts running in an aluminum-alloy cylinder head, seven main bearings, and a maximum output of 160bhp. It went into a chassis that was essentially a shortened version of the simultaneously announced Mark V saloon's, featuring William Heynes' torsion bar independent front suspension. Jaguar lost no time in demonstrating that the XK120's claimed top speed was no idle boast. In May of 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre autoroute, an example with its hood and side screens in place recorded a speed of 126mph and 132mph with the hood and windscreen detached and an under-tray fitted.

The XK120 set new standards of comfort, handling, and performance for British sports cars and, in keeping with the Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. Coupe and Drophead Coupe versions followed, and for customers who found the standard car too slow, there was the Special Equipment (SE) package which boosted power to 180bhp. With either engine, and regardless of the type of bodywork, the XK120 was a genuine 120mph car capable of sustained high-speed cruising.

Here lie the remains of an XK120 chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, fuel tank, and wire wheels. Remarkably, the owner had left to attend school in the fall of 1963 and upon returning the car was gone. It wasn't until years later that he found it in the spot it sits today. The whereabouts of the body remain unknow, but the remaining components have largely been preserved thanks to the roof overhead. This unearthed artifact makes a perfect candidate for a rebodied special or simply a parts car.

Footnotes

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