Years of manufacture: 1948-1954
Price when new: £1,263
Price now: £60,000-£120,000
Engine: 3,442cc 6cyl petrol, 160bhp
Top speed: 120mph
In 1948, Jaguar wanted to test and publicise its brand new engine.
It took a Mk5 saloon chassis and added a sleek roadster body, then put the car on its London Motor Show stand, and watched as eager customers waved chequebooks at its sales staff.
The first customer in line was film star Clark Gable.
The XK120’s number denoted the top speed; it was the world’s fastest production car.
The first versions were wood framed with aluminium panels, but by 1950 Jaguar realised it couldn’t keep up with demand so switched to more conventional steel construction.
The car was replaced in 1954 by the equally pretty XK140.
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