MODEL HISTORY

The Jaguar XK 120 was the sensation of the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show. The lithe sports car was initially intended as a low-volume showcase for Jaguar's brand-new, 3.4-litre, straight-six engine - descendants of which would survive into the 1990s - but it was soon being put into production.

Demand far exceeded the expectations of Jaguar boss William Lyons, and the XK 120's blend of beauty and performance - it was the world's fastest production car when it was launched - made it an international sales success at a time when exports were vital to British companies.

Three body styles were produced before the XK 120 was replaced in 1954 by the XK 140. First came the Open Two-Seater (also known as the Roadster), which was followed in 1951 by the fixed-head coupe, and in 1953 by the drophead coupe. At first, the bodywork was constructed from aluminium, but in early 1950 Jaguar instead began to use steel for most sections.

Although the standard XK 120 produced 160bhp, the SE model upped that to 180bhp. Fitting a C-type head plus larger 2in SU carburettors boosted it even further to 210bhp, and it's little wonder that XK 120s proved to be so successful in competition.

At the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hours, the car of Leslie Johnson and Bert Hadley was a late retirement from third position, but their performance helped inspire Jaguar to return in 1951 as a works team with the C-type. This time they won outright, the first of five Jaguar victories at La Sarthe during the 1950s.

There was rally success, too - most famously courtesy of Ian Appleyard in 'NUB 120' ­­- plus record runs that included averaging 100.31mph for seven days and seven nights at Montlhery in 1952.

Although the XK series lived on until the XK 150 was replaced by the E-type in 1961, for many enthusiasts the original XK 120 was the purest example of the breed, and it's little wonder that, seven decades later, it remains such a coveted sports car.

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