Jaguar caused a sensation when it showed its first post-war, two-seat open roadster at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948. Despite the prototype chassis being predominately intended as a test bed for the new XK engine, it was swiftly put into production to capitalize on the interest it had garnered. Almost entirely unchanged, the production variant came to the market in the same year as the Jaguar XK 120, with the “120” referring to its top speed in miles per hour.

According to a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate on file, this XK 120 fixed-head coupe was completed in early March 1953 and dispatched shortly thereafter to its first owner via Max Hoffman’s New York-based distributorship. Though originally clad in Dove Grey over a red leather interior, at some point during previous ownership the car was restored to a handsome, and period-style combination of Champagne over black leather.

Observation of extant number stampings reveal that the car’s presently equipped engine block, cylinder head, and body match those listed on the JDHT documentation. Riding on steel wheels finished with factory-style hubs, this wonderfully presented XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe is now accompanied by a tool kit and spare wheel.