The Jaguar XK 120 is a car that played a pivotal role in Jaguar Cars Ltd. proving it was not only capable of producing plush sport sedans, but also gorgeous and powerful two-seater sports cars. The XK Series was conceived by the legendary William Lyons and his team of engineers during the Second World War. Jaguar chose a dual overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine to power the XK, making them the first high-volume twin cam engine manufacturers in the world. The car had a fresh minimalist design with gracious flowing curves running front to back. The chassis layout, in typical Jaguar fashion, was light and tidy, while the short wheelbase of the XK made it a nimble sports car; the results were nothing short of sensational.

Racing almanacs from the 1950s are jam packed with the successes of the Jaguar XK Series cars. In the hands of such greats as Sir Stirling Moss and the late Phil Hill, the XKs recorded a number of important victories. The superb twin-cam six-cylinder engine was to become a mainstay of all future Jaguar products, and provided five LeMans 24 Hour victories between 1951 and 1957.

The example offered here is a very desirable “barn find” Jaguar XK 120SE (Special Equipment) that has been stored in a Georgian barn since the 1970s. The XK 120SE is equipped with factory steel wheels in body color, an upgraded suspension, dual exhaust pipes, and a high performance engine and carburetors. The XK is finished in factory correct Jaguar Red and its interior is dark brown. Additional equipment includes rollup windows, burl wood dash and rear fender spats. The car indicates that is has just over 60,000 original miles. The car has layers of dust and dirt intact, but the car has been gone through mechanically and it runs and drives. The Jaguar is ready for a new home and the glory that can return to this magnificent car.