Story and History

1949 Jaguar XK120 Aluminium Roadster Chassis 6700061

Have long dreamt of having one of these early and completely beautiful Jaguar's

To have seen these on the road in period must have been an absolutely jaw dropping experience - compared to most of the cars on the road at the time these were sooo far ahead of their time

Remember the milk, coal and waste were all still delivered or collected by horse drawn carts at the time so even having a motorcar was pretty special, let alone something as exciting to look at or as fast as this

The early seminal lightweight body for these hand built examples is just the icing on the cake from our perspective - especially when fitted with steel wheels and rear spats

Jaguar launched the XK to help keep production going and envisaged only a short run until the MK VII was available

So well was the XK 120 received that the model went into full production and continued until the updated XK140 was launched in 1954

Over 12.000 of all models were made with a FHC (1951) and DHC (1953) being added to the original Roadster

At the launch in 1948 the early cars were capable of 120 mph (hence the model name) making them the fastest production car available at the time

Eager to prove the potential performance the XK could potentially offer, a slightly modified chassis, number 67002, was taken by Jaguar to Belgium and with the roads closed to the public attained a one way speed of 132.5 mph - attested by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium

The first road going version offered to the public was delivered to none other than Clark Gable, legendary Hollywood film star - this was chassis 670003

Our car, chassis number 670061 is one of but 242 alluminium bodied XK 120's, and was delivered new via Hoffmans of New York to US specification and finished in Cream with Biscuit & Red interior

As evidenced on the FIVA / HVA Identity Card (number 044709) she was first supplied to Roger Thomas in Conneticut, who had her converted back to RHD

Resplendant now in Silver with blue mohair weather equipment and matching dark blue hides inside she is almost spotless - both underneath as well as on top

She is matching numbers and carries her Jaguar Heritage certificate number 38950

Previously owned by the famed Blackhawk Collection - we have had vehicles from here before and they are always of the very highest quality - Don Williams kept it with his many wonderful cars within the collection, having no less than Jack Rabell attend to the XK's every need

Mr Rabell not just a most competent engineer he was also so well respected for his knowledge of these glorious cars that he was a senior Judge for the panel of the Jaguar Clubs of North America - well I suppose if anyone was to know his stuff, then he should and it shows that 00061, was in good hands

Williams' good chum, Charles (Chuck) Swimmer managed to wrestle the XK from him in 2005

Chuck was also a serious collector and intrepid rally participant too

From all of his collection this XK was to be become the most frequently used and he entered and used her twice in the epic Colorado Grand and also the California Mille

Like Williams' he also ensured that the XK was not just kept in perfect mechanical condition, he also was particularly fussy about how she looked and to that end entered her in the San Diego Concours - the judging panel included Jack Rabell as well as Tom Krefetz

Notwithstanding Jack's association with the XK a couple of minor items were picked up and Chuck, after the event, immediately returned her to Rabell for updating - thus ensuring she could (and still can by the way) meet the very highest of scrutiny

The original tool kit is included, as is a complete set of mohair weather equipment to include side screens

To us, these really are the Holy Grail of post war road going Jaguars and number 00061 is as good as it gets from our perspective