Off-screen as well as on, Clark Gable possessed a legendary appetite for speed and beautifully engineered machinery, assembling a remarkable collection of some of the world’s most revered automobiles that included numerous Duesenbergs, Packards, Mercedes-Benzes, and Jaguars. It was thus no surprise that when Jaguar unveiled the sensational XK 120 in 1948, Gable insisted upon receiving the very first example delivered to the West Coast. He would ultimately own three, with the car offered here being the last—and most distinctive.

Completed in July 1952, this XK 120 left Coventry finished in Battleship Grey over red leather upholstery, complemented by a Gunmetal convertible soft top. Never content with an ordinary presentation, Gable promptly sent his new prize to the legendary workshop of George and Sam Barris. The brothers refined the XK 120 with a series of subtle, carefully considered modifications, shaving the headlamp trim, removing the fender-mounted turn-signal plinths and wing mirrors, smoothing the boot lid, and discreetly relocating the license plate beneath it.

Its defining feature, however, was the removable Carson-style hardtop, trimmed in tan fabric to evoke an upright soft top and fitted with a full headliner and leather-lined parcel shelf. The elegant roof treatment gave the XK 120 a dapper, distinctly European character, while the subsequent gold-bronze refinishing—reminiscent of Jaguar’s Opalescent Sand—proved especially sympathetic to the car’s sculptural form, accentuating its flowing contours and lending it an added measure of glamour befitting the “King of Hollywood.”

The car is believed to have remained in California through 1956 when it was sold and reportedly saw little use over the ensuing decades. In 2010, its extraordinary history was rediscovered by an Illinois enthusiast who immediately recognized the significance of its unusual hardtop and surviving Barris badges. His research ultimately led him to George Barris himself, who not only remembered the car and the work performed by his shop but produced a period photograph depicting Gable with the Jaguar, accompanied by a personal thank-you note acknowledging the custom work.

The XK 120 was subsequently entrusted to marque specialist Jim Kakuska of JK Restorations in Oswego, Illinois, where it underwent a meticulous concours-quality restoration with particular attention paid to faithfully recreating the distinctive details that set Gable’s car apart. Upon completion, the restoration’s quality was recognized through invitations to some of the world’s most prestigious automotive gatherings, including displays at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, and Greenwich.

Today, the XK 120 presents with the same combination of individuality and glamour that would have captivated Gable more than seven decades ago. Its lustrous gold-bronze finish provides a spectacular contrast to the richly trimmed cabin, upholstered in red leather with matching cockpit rails and complementary dashboard details. Above it sits the meticulously restored hardtop, retaining its tan canvas exterior and leather-trimmed parcel shelf.

Importantly, inspection has confirmed that the car retains its matching-numbers chassis, body, engine, and cylinder head. It is further accompanied by a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, a Barris Kustom Certificate of Authenticity, and images of Gable with the car.

For the collector seeking an automobile that offers exceptional Hollywood provenance, significant custom-car history, and an exacting restoration, this remarkable Jaguar presents an opportunity of truly uncommon distinction.