1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Coupe
Carrozzeria Pinin Farina created a unique coupe body for a single Jaguar XK120, commissioned by Max Hoffman and displayed at the 1955 Turin Motor Show. Hoffman (the importer behind the BMW 507, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, and Porsche Speedster) received this Special Equipment roadster in May 1954 before sending it to Italy for the custom coachwork. The design combined British engineering with Italian styling, featuring distinctive bumper treatment similar to Pinin Farina’s Lancia Aurelia B24S work.
The SE specification included a 210-cubic-inch dual-overhead-cam inline-six with twin SU carburetors, producing 180 horsepower at 5,300 rpm compared to the standard 160-horsepower output. This power increase made the XK120 SE a genuine 120-mph automobile capable of sustained high-speed touring.
Classic Motor Cars completed a 6,275-hour restoration in 2017, rebuilding chassis S675360 to original 1955 specification. The project required recreating missing components including bumpers, chrome work, and the rear windscreen. The restored coupe placed second at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours and received the International Historic Restoration of the Year Award.
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