1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster

1 of only 240 aluminum-bodied Roadsters produced
Known history from new with just three owners
Recent $26,000 mechanical freshening documented by receipts
A numbers-matching example verified by its Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate

With its elegant lines and unmistakable silhouette, the XK120 stands as one of the most timeless vehicles in existence and one that set a new world standard when it came dashing onto the scene. The 120-mph Jaguar would go on to further its name by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times in seven years. Its success on and off the track would create a craze among the public and drive sales to new heights. Originally introduced in 1948, the Jaguar XK120 was constructed of aluminum and would be for 1949 as well. As demand increased, Jaguar took the necessary steps in 1950 and switched from aluminum bodies to steel in order to achieve mass production. Before the change was made, a mere 240 aluminum-bodied XK120s left the factory, making the 1948 and ’49 model years the most desirable of all XK120s.

An iconic time capsule today, this 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster is believed to be one of just a few known surviving aluminum-bodied examples. Documented by its Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, which was issued on August 3rd, 2020, chassis 670082 was manufactured on January 10th, 1950, and then dispatched from the factory on February 10th, 1950, to the original Hornburg distributor located in Los Angeles, California, USA. Originally ordered in Pastel Blue over a Duo Blue interior, the first owner would change the color shortly after his purchase to Jaguar’s Old English White, as it better suited his taste. The car would remain with him until 1976 when he sold this Jag to a Hollywood costume artist, who would eventually head to the East Coast, bringing the car with him. While in the possession of the second owner, the car would be parked in a private garage in Flushing, New York, and left there until the third and current owner rescued it in 2020.

Knowing the significance of an original alloy-bodied car, he made the proper decision to preserve the aesthetics and appearance of the patinaed paint and focus on the mechanics and interior. This included a rebuild of the top of the engine, new timing chains and belts, fluids, a full brake rebuild and tuning the engine, all of which are documented by receipts that total over $26,000. Most recently, this Jaguar was equipped with new carpet and period-correct upholstery sourced from another period XK120. It also comes with the low roof metal components for the top, which were only in production for one year. Its recent mechanical refreshing enhances its drivability, and it stands ready to be driven to shows and participate in a plethora of rallies and other select events around the globe.

This specific example stands apart as complete, retaining its original aluminum body, and as evidenced by the accompanying Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, its numbers-matching engine, and gearbox. The XK120 was incredibly impactful when designed and this extremely low production alloy Jag presents itself as a unique and rare opportunity in the collector car world.