1953 Jaguar XK120 3.8-Litre Competition Roadster

• Ex-USA car
• Converted from left- to right-hand drive
• Raced extensively in the USA and UK
• Eligible for many historic race meetings

'Three coachloads of Jaguar employees made the pilgrimage to Silverstone and were rewarded for their enthusiasm by seeing one of our cars gain one of the most convincing victories seen on a race track... whenever or wherever a production car race is held again, we may be sure that Jaguar will be well represented and will give a good account of itself.' – Jaguar Journal, 1949.

The XK 120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding and performance for British sports cars, and in keeping with the Jaguar tradition there was nothing to touch it at the price. It was an immense success in North America, finding the majority of its customers there, and when Road & Track tested one in 1951 they announced that 'the XK120 has performance far and above any stock American make... by far the fastest car yet tested by Road & Track, a two-way average of 121.6mph being attained.'

Although it had not been designed with racing in mind, the XK120's competition potential was immediately obvious, not least to the factory, which entered a three-car team in the Daily Express one-hour race for standard production cars at Silverstone in August 1949. The XK's of Leslie Johnson and Peter Walker duly rewarded Jaguar's faith in its new sports car by finishing 1st and 2nd respectively, thus setting the scene for an illustrious competition career that would culminate in the development of the legendary C-Type.

This XK120 roadster was manufactured in 1953 and spent most of its early life in the USA. Following a lengthy period of storage, it embarked on a successful competition career, participating in events such as CARE, SVRA, HSR, VSCDA, and MCSCC at Road America, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Sebring, Mid-Ohio, Blackhawk Farms and more between 1989 and 2006. The car subsequently moved to the UK under the new ownership of Andrew Moore, who raced it most competitively until 2014/15. It was then purchased by one further owner, who raced the car until 2018 when the current owner purchased it at Bonhams' Goodwood Revival auction.

Finished in Gunmetal metallic, '958 XUC' is fitted with a 3.8-litre XK engine, which breathes via triple SU carburettors, and has an E-Type gearbox, while the interior features a Pro Series Corbeau bucket seat and Mota-Lita steering wheel. Partially resprayed in recent years, this potentially most competitive XK120 roadster is offered with sundry bills and a V5C Registration Certificate. The private vendor advises us that it is not only a great track car, but also a fun fast sports car on the road.