Jaguar XK120 OTS | 1952

Jaguar XK120 OTS | 1952

Highlights:

– 3.4-litre (3442cc) straight-six engine, petrol, four-speed manual transmission

– Matching-numbers example with Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirming chassis, engine, body and gearbox

– Early-production XK120 with aluminium bonnet, doors and boot lid, and factory wire wheels

– Extensive mechanical overhaul carried out in Germany and Austria, including engine, gearbox, brakes and suspension

– Only three long-term owners over the last five decades, with continuous documentation

The seller offers for sale this 1952 Jaguar XK120 OTS, powered by a 3.4-litre straight-six engine, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Chassis 672552 was manufactured on 3 July 1952 and delivered new through Hornburg in Los Angeles, California. The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirms the car’s matching-numbers specification, including engine W 5431-8, body F4547 and factory gearbox JL11730, with an original factory specification of Cream with Biscuit & Red interior and a Fawn hood. The car today presents in Cream over a red interior, with the Fawn soft top renewed while retaining the original hood frame; a tonneau cover and the plug-in side screens are also included.

As a particularly early XK120, the car retains its aluminium bonnet, doors and boot lid, and is fitted with classic wire wheels. It also carries the distinctive early surface-mounted marker lights on top of the front wings, rather than the recessed, pressed-in type used on later cars. The original box-section chassis has been dry-ice cleaned and subsequently wax-conserved, and the car retains its characteristic Armstrong lever-arm suspension and period-correct ENV rear axle. The body remains in its original factory colour Cream, carrying a long-standing finish that, according to the available history, may have been on the car for around 50 years; minor stone chips and age-related imperfections have deliberately been left rather than removed through cosmetic restoration.

The interior reflects the car’s long history. The original leather-covered dashboard was replaced some years ago with a wood dashboard, together with a period-style wooden steering wheel, and the Smiths instruments have been professionally restored; during the car’s time in Germany the original mph speedometer was converted to km/h. The seats were retrimmed in red imitation leather during the car’s years in the United States. Considerable mechanical work has since been carried out in Germany and Austria, including an engine overhaul, a Moss four-speed gearbox overhaul, a new clutch, an SU H6 carburettor overhaul, fitment of 123 electronic ignition, cooling-system improvements with an aluminium radiator and fan, brake work, refurbishment of the front suspension and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Over roughly the last half-century the car has had only three long-term custodians: around three decades with one owner in the United States, around ten years with one owner in Germany, and since 2021 with its present owner in Austria. It is registered in Austria as a historic vehicle and comes with its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate together with US, German and Austrian documentation, invoices and historical records. As an individual finishing touch, the car carries autographs by Walter Röhrl and Jochen Mass.

Launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed for Jaguar’s new twin-cam XK engine, the XK120 caused enough of a sensation that William Lyons put it into production; its name referred to a 120 mph top speed that made it the world’s fastest standard production car of its day. The OTS, or Open Two Seater, was the original body style in which the model was introduced, later joined by fixed-head and drophead coupé versions, and the earliest cars such as this one were hand-built with aluminium body panels before Jaguar moved to pressed steel to meet demand. The twin-cam straight-six introduced in the XK120 went on to power generations of Jaguar road and racing cars, including the Le Mans-winning C-type, cementing the XK120’s place as the car that established Jaguar’s post-war reputation for combining elegant design with genuine performance.

4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.

We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.

Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.

This car is currently located in: Lower Austria state, Austria.

This car drives, brakes and shifts.

The car has an Austrian registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.

The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.

Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.

Read more