Chassis No.
679916
| Phoenix, Arizona
Est. 160 bhp, 3,442 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, five-speed Borg-Warner manual synchromesh transmission, front independent torsion-bar suspension, double wishbones and anti-roll bar, solid rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 102 in.
Upon its unveiling at Earls Court in 1948, Jaguar’s XK 120 took the world by storm. It was Jaguar’s first sports car since the SS 100 stopped production in 1940, and the XK 120 was at the cutting edge in terms of both design and performance. The “120” stood for the Jaguar’s top speed, making it the fastest production car in the world at its introduction. Originally intended for a limited production of just 200 units, massive demand quickly pushed the XK 120 into regular production. At the time, little did Jaguar know that the XK 120’s original 3.4-liter engine would be so successful that its basic design would remain in road-going Jaguars for nearly 40 years.
The XK 120 offered here, chassis number 679916, is documented by its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate as having arrived at the facility of famous Los Angeles Jaguar dealer Charles Hornburg on August 25, 1952. In 1994, while reportedly a rust-free and intact car, it underwent a conversion to a racing car by British Auto of Manchester, New Hampshire, for David Fromer of Peabody, Massachusetts. Mr. Fromer raced the car extensively at Lime Rock, Pittsburgh, Mont-Tremblant, and Pocono, as well as in various JCNA events, for the next five years. It was further campaigned until 2005 by its next owner, Robert Mooney of Hartford, Connecticut, with maintenance by Tivvy’s Autocraft of Richmond, Vermont, according to information provided by the current consignor.
Since its acquisition by the current owners in 2006, the car has been converted to rallying specs by C.W. Richert of Glendale, Arizona. It currently has a more comfortable, near road-spec interior and runs an XK 120 block with an XK 150 3.8-liter cylinder head, as well as a fully synchromesh five-speed Borg-Warner transmission and disc brakes at all four wheels. In this form, it has participated in such events as the Colorado Grand (2007), California Mille (2008), and Going to the Sun Rally (2009).
An entertaining Jaguar for rallying enjoyment, this car has been professionally built to be driven and stands ready to provide many hours of fun for its next owner. What could be better?
