1952 Jaguar XK120C Competition Roadster (more photos 👇)
Few postwar production cars debuted with the impact of the XK120, which caused a sensation at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show with its William Lyons-penned bodywork and a claimed 120 mph top speed.
A 1949 run on Belgium’s Jabbeke highway confirmed the figure, with a lightly modified car recording 132.6 mph.
XK120s were a frequent competitive presence in the early 1950s, campaigned at Le Mans and international rallies by teams including Ecurie Ecosse.
The purpose-built XK120C (C-Type) introduced in 1951 was developed specifically for competition, using a lightweight tubular frame and aluminum bodywork over the 3.4-liter twin-cam XK engine.
In race tune, the 3.4-liter produced around 200 to 220 hp depending on specification, and later evolved with improved cylinder heads and fuel delivery.
Factory C-Types featured four-wheel disc brakes from 1952 onward and distinctive aerodynamic bodywork, while period competition XK120 road cars typically retained drum brakes and wire wheels.
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