Jaguar: XK120
Note: This is a sub-section of Jaguar.
1948-54. 3,442cc engine. 7,612 made.
1950 JAGUAR XK.120 SPORTS TOURER
The Jaguar XK.120 two-seater is described as a super sports car and it has certainly filled this role during 1950.
First, in the exacting Alpine Trial, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Appleyard completed the course in faultless style, winning three Class prizes, making the fastest time of any car in the Braking and Acceleration tests, and fastest time for the Flying Kilometre. Their XK.120 was also the only British car to win the Coupe des Alpes.
Then, in September, Stirling Moss won the first post-war Tourist Trophy race, over the Dundrod circuit, near Belfast, at an average speed of 75.15 m.p.h. in appalling weather conditions. Peter Whitehead, in another Jaguar, was second at 74.13 m.p.h. Such achievements are worthy of this good-looking car, but long before these events, however, the XK.120 made motoring history with the fastest mile ever for a production car — at 132.6 m.p.h.!
ENGINE. Type: 3.5-litre. Cylinders: 6. Bore X Stroke: 83 mm. X 106 mm. Compression ratio: 7.0 to 1. Maximum b.h.p.: 160 at 5,400 r.p.m.
PERFORMANCE. Maximum speed: 124 m.p.h. Fuel consumption: 19 m.p.g.
DIMENSIONS. Length: 14 ft. 5 ins. Height: 4 ft. 4.5 ins. Width: 5 ft. 1.5 ins. Wheelbase: 8 ft. 6 ins. Track: 4 ft. 3 ins. (front); 4 ft. 2 ins. (rear). Weight (dry): 2,688 lbs. Fuel capacity: 14 gallons (25-gallon tank optional). Tyre size: 6.00 X 16.
BRAKES. Lockheed Hydraulic.
PRICE. £988 pus £275.3.11 Purchase Tax. Total: £1,263.3.11.