1954 Jaguar XK 120

Chassis 675191

• Matching-numbers 3.4-liter XK engine
• Documented Jaguar Heritage history with long-term Connecticut ownership
• Recently fitted tan leather interior
• Attractive red-over-tan presentation with disc wheels, rear spats, and luggage rack

Few sports cars define the postwar era quite like the Jaguar XK120. Introduced in 1948 as a showcase for Jaguars new twin-cam XK engine, it quickly became a sensation in its own right, combining graceful styling, strong performance, and remarkable value. Its success on the road and in competition helped establish Jaguar as one of the dominant sports-car manufacturers of the period.

At the heart of the XK120 was Jaguars now-famous 3.4-liter DOHC inline-six, paired with independent front suspension and a well-balanced chassis that gave the car performance to match its dramatic appearance. In Open Two Seater form, with its low windshield, sweeping fenders, removable side curtains, disc wheels, and neatly fitted rear spats, the XK120 presented one of the purest and most enduring expressions of Jaguar design.

This 1954 Jaguar XK120 Open Two Seater, chassis number 675191, is a U.S.-market example originally distributed through Max Hoffmans influential New York agency. According to Jaguar Heritage records, it was dispatched on March 12, 1954 and delivered to its first owner, R. Bell of Coventry, Connecticut, on March 29. It left the factory finished in the understated combination of Dove Grey with a French Grey top and tan interior.

The Jaguar would later remain closely associated with Connecticut. By the late 2000s it was owned by Dorothy Bronson of New Canaan, and although the precise length of the earlier ownership periods is not presently known, there is no indication that the car changed hands frequently or appeared regularly on the public market. At some point prior to this period, it was refurbished and refinished in the more sporting red-over-tan color scheme it wears today.

Acquired by its previous long-term owner in 2008, the XK120 covered just over 2,000 miles during the following fourteen years. Service and maintenance during that period included work by Blackhorse Garage and Automotive Restorations, both well known within the collector-car community. In 2022 the now aged restoration on the Jaguar began to show, but fortunately it was acquired by its most recent owner, a dedicated steward of the marque.

Since that time, the Jaguar has benefited from a number of welcome improvements. The exterior has been thoroughly detailed, the brightwork remains in very good condition, and the paintwork, while older, still retains a sharp and charming look, with the expected minor imperfections. It retains the desirable disc-wheel and rear-spat configuration, fitted with period-correct bias play wide whitewall tires, giving the car the clean and pure appearance early XK120s are known for. The interior has been renewed in tan leather with tan carpets, and the car is fitted with a tan Haartz cloth top. A rear luggage rack has additionally been fitted, adding a useful and period-appropriate touch for touring.

Importantly, the Jaguar retains its matching-numbers engine, a desirable feature for an XK120 of this age and one that reinforces the underlying integrity of the car. The engine compartment is nicely detailed, and an aluminum radiator has been installed, a very desirable upgrade.

With its matching-numbers engine, documented Jaguar Heritage history, attractive Open Two Seater coachwork, and recent cosmetic improvements, this XK120 offers all of the essential ingredients that continue to make these cars so enduringly desirable. Handsome, mechanically straightforward, and presented at a level that encourages regular use, it is an ideal candidate for tours, club events, and spirited weekend motoring.

Offers welcome and trades considered.