Description:

Jaguar XK120 Racing
1953
mileage: 57.186 miles
Absolute one-of-a-kind piece
Exciting history
In current ownership for almost 50 years
British papers and road registration
When the Jaguar XK120 was unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show, it caused an immediate sensation. Its "120" designation referred to the target top speed of 120 mph (approx. 193 km/h). To prove the car was capable of reaching, and even exceeding, this speed, Jaguar planned a series of high-speed runs. Two speed records were set on a straight, empty public road near Jabbeke in Belgium as part of Jaguar's comprehensive PR strategy to demonstrate the performance of the brand-new XK120.
The first record was set in May 1949. A production-spec Jaguar XK120 reached an impressive speed of 126 mph (about 203 km/h). This achievement made the XK120 the fastest production car of its time and established Jaguar's reputation as a maker of high-performance sports cars. The second, even more spectacular record was set on October 21, 1953. Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis drove a special version of the XK120 that had been aerodynamically optimized and had its performance enhanced. He broke the 170-mph barrier, reaching a speed of 172.4 mph (about 277.4 km/h).
The Jabbeke records were pivotal moments in Jaguar's history, helping to position the brand as a leading manufacturer of high-performance vehicles in the post-war era. The XK120 served as the basis for the iconic Jaguar C-Type and D-Type race cars that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1950s. Thus, the XK120 was not only a road-legal sports car but also the genesis of Jaguar's successful racing history.
The XK120 standing here is a very special Jaguar, a true one-of-a-kind. It is also famous, but we will get to that in a moment. This is a Drop Head Coupé (DHC) in racing trim. The DHC is the convertible version with roll-up windows and a better-insulated, folding roof. The other two body variants of the XK120 were the Roadster (OTS for Open Two-Seater), the original, open version with clip-on side windows, and the Fixed Head Coupé (FHC), a closed coupé version with a fixed roof.
According to the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate, our racing DHC left the production halls of the Brown Lane factory in Coventry as an XK 120 SE on December 29, 1953. "SE" stands for "Special Equipment" and denotes a performance-enhanced variant that was offered as an optional package from June 1951. The standard XK 120 had a 3.4-liter inline-six engine with about 160 hp. The SE package increased the power to about 180 hp through modifications such as hotter camshafts, a dual-exhaust system, and stiffer suspension springs, leading to a sportier handling. XK 120 SE variants were and are highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts due to their better performance and rarity.
But this is all nothing compared to our DHC, as it presents itself today, and has for six decades. Its body is partly made of aluminum - the hood, boot lid, and doors. The car features four disc brakes, a limited-slip differential, and a MOSS-Box gearbox with a racing clutch. The installed engine is a 3.8-liter first-series E-Type engine with engine number R1028-9 and three Weber twin carburetors. It was fitted with a dry sump lubrication system - a lubrication system used in high-performance and race cars - instead of the usual oil pump, with the necessary oil tank located in the front right fender. For road use, the system was converted back to its original configuration.
Mechanical modifications also included a switch to magnesium wheels with a center lock. Besides the appearance of the body, much of the work was done to reduce weight. The headlights were removed from their pods on the fenders, and 7-inch Le Mans-style units were skillfully integrated into the lower fender area. By eliminating the chrome surrounds, the headlights appeared much smaller, and position/turn signal lights were added above them to create a completely

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September 20, 2025 2:00 PM CEST
Stuttgart, Germany

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Bid Increments
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0 € 19 € 5 €
20 € 179 € 10 €
180 € 299 € 20 €
300 € 359 € 30 €
360 € 399 € 40 €
400 € 899 € 50 €
900 € 999 € 100 €
1.000 € 1.999 € 100 €
2.000 € 2.999 € 200 €
3.000 € 3.599 € 300 €
3.600 € 3.999 € 400 €
4.000 € 9.999 € 500 €
10.000 € 19.999 € 1.000 €
20.000 € 29.999 € 2.000 €
30.000 € 35.999 € 3.000 €
36.000 € 39.999 € 4.000 €
40.000 € 99.999 € 5.000 €
100.000 € 199.999 € 10.000 €
200.000 € + 20.000 €