Jaguar XK120

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Jaguar, Jaguar Cars, 1990

Starting with the chassis of the Mark V and with the new 160 hp OHC 6 cylinder XK engine, a new sportscar was required and William Lyon designed a new bodied car for the 1948 Motor Show. The new car was the XK120. X was experimental, K from the version number of the engine and 120 was again taken from the top speed of the car.  The car was a tremendous success for Jaguar. In 1949 speed tests in Belgium, one achieved the remarkable speed of 135 mph.  At the Le Mans 24 hr race in 1950, one finished third. Between 1948 and 1954 12,000 were constructed and the car is recognized as a classic today..