Jaguar XK120

The Jaguar XK120 was a sports car manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1949 and 1954. It was the first post-war sports car from the marque, succeeding the SS100 which ended production in 1940 with the start of the war in Britain. The XK120 was launched at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show vehicle to highlight the new Jaguar XK engine. The sudden popularity of the car persuaded William Lyons to put the car into production as a standard model.

The first cars manufactured in 1948 and 1949 were hand built aluminum bodied cars. Jaguar built approximately 200 of these alloy bodied cars prior to moving to a more mass production XK120 in order to meet the demand for this popular model. With the 1950 model year a production version had a steel pressed body with alloy doors, bonnet, and trunk skin.

Power came from a dual overhead cam 3.4 L straight-6 engine, Jaguar's famous XK engine. With an alloy cylinder head and twin side draft SU carburators, the XK engine was very advanced for a mass produced engine. This same basic design of the XK engine was used in 3.8L and 4.2L versions into the late 1980's.

The XK120 name referred to the vehicle's impressive 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed. At the time of its launch it was the world's fastest standard production car. It was available as a coupe (FHC or Fixed Head Coupe), convertible (DHC or Drop Head Coupe), or roadster (OTS or Open Top Sports). The OTS or Roadster had a very light weight canvas top and removable side curtains. The DHC or Drop Head Coupe had a padded top and roll up windows. Both the FHC and DHC had a elegant wood veneer dash.

See Wikicars' comprehensive  Review.

Recent Changes
Mention any minor facelifts or major changes made to the vehicle here.

Styles and Major Options
Certain vehicles come in different trim levels or body styles. Features and major options should be mentioned here.

Pricing
Add more fields as necessary.

Gas Mileage
Add more fields as necessary.

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
Specifications, details, graphs, pictures and other information regarding the powertrain is placed in this section.

Performance
Please make sure to write information of the vehicle's performance in a third-person point of view. This section should include information about the car's acceleration figures, handling, braking, etc.

If using information gathered from Road Test articles from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Reliability
Warranty options and scheduled maintainence information should be mentioned here.

Safety
This section should reference points on safety ratings and features of the vehicle.

Photos
Add Photos of the vehicle here.

Please make sure not to use copyrighted photos.

Colors
List the colors that the particular  is offered in.

Main Competitors
Create links to other   pages in this section.

Hybrid Models
If there are hybrid versions of this vehicle manufactured, then please elaborate a little bit on it here.

Unique Attributes
If there are any features of this vehicle that sets it apart from other vehicles in its class, then mention those unique attributes here.

Interior
This section should include information on the interior's design, build quality, ergonomics, space (head and legroom, front and rear), features, stowage compartments and overall comfortability and livability. Add pictures wherever applicable and keep information in a third-person point of view.

Resale Values
Add more fields as necessary.

Criticisms
Please make sure to keep critiques in a third-person point of view. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Generations
Fill in as many as appropriate. Add more if necessary and pictures wherever applicable.

Please make sure NOT to use copyrighted pictures.

Worldwide
If the vehicle is sold in other markets worldwide, then this is the section to mention that information. Also, mention if the  goes by another name in these other markets.

Design quirks and oddities
Refer to any pop-culture tidbits about the vehicle in this section.

Awards
List out notable awards that the model has recieved while in production. Boldface the company or organization that gives out the award, and Italicize the name of the award.