Today, in our ‘Car in the Spotlight’ feature, we’re privileged to dive deep into the world of the iconic Jaguar XK120, thanks to the generosity of Anthony Collins, a proud XK120 owner.
Anthony has agreed to share his fascinating journey of acquiring and cherishing this exceptional car, offering us a glimpse into the heart and soul of the XK120.
But before we hear Anthony’s story, let’s take a moment to appreciate the remarkable history of the Jaguar XK120, a car that captured hearts and headlines when it first burst onto the scene in 1948.
The Jaguar XK120’s Origins
The XK120 was unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show; it stunned the world with its breathtaking beauty, powerful performance, and remarkably affordable price.
- Post-War Sensation: Emerging from the shadows of World War II, the XK120 was a symbol of hope and optimism. Its sleek, aerodynamic design, inspired by the pre-war SS100, was a breath of fresh air in a world still recovering from conflict.
- A Record-Breaker: The “120” in its name wasn’t just a marketing gimmick; it represented the car’s top speed of 120 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world at the time.
- The Heart of the Matter: The XK120’s true magic lay under the bonnet. Its 3.4-litre twin-cam inline-six engine, developed by William Heynes, was a masterpiece of engineering. It delivered 160 horsepower and a silky-smooth power delivery that was unheard of in its day.
From Racing Glory to Cultural Icon
The XK120 quickly proved its mettle on the racetrack, dominating events like the Alpine Rally and the RAC Tourist Trophy. Its success in motorsport solidified its reputation as a performance car and cemented its place in automotive history.
But the XK120’s appeal extended far beyond the racing circuit. It became a cultural icon, gracing the silver screen and capturing the hearts of celebrities and enthusiasts alike. Its timeless design and exhilarating performance made it a symbol of style and sophistication.
A Legacy That Endures
The Jaguar XK120’s legacy continues to this day. It remains a highly sought-after classic car, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts around the world. Its timeless design, thrilling performance, and innovative engineering ensure that the XK120 will always hold a special place in the hearts of car lovers.
One of which is Anthony Collins and he’s sharing the love he has for his beloved XK120 with us today. He shares his personal journey with this iconic car, exploring the challenges and rewards of owning and maintaining such a special piece of automotive history. Let’s take an intimate look at the XK120 through the eyes of a passionate owner.
About this Car
1. What do you love the most about your car?
Style, the elegance of the original William Lyons design with Spats and steel wheels. The fact that it’s still a quick car at 70+ years old and drives so much better than you would imagine.
2. When and where did you buy the car?
I bought it from Peter Hugo at Winspeed who was selling it on behalf of Neil Oatley, the McLaren F1 designer.
3. Why did you buy this particular car, as opposed to another model or manufacturer?
I promised my girlfriend (now wife) in 1974 ish that I would own one eventually. I used to draw them when I was an art student as the looks were the thing. The useability & performance is a bonus.
4. What was the purchase price of the car, and what is its current value?
I think I paid mid £60k for it and I don’t have a clue what it is worth now as I have no intention of selling it. Probably worth a little more, but who knows?
5. How much does it cost to service and tax?
Regular servicing is a piece of cake and I do it myself. I am lucky that Guy Broad the premier XK specialist is local to me, so he gets the big jobs. I’ve had a cylinder head rebuild, rear telescopic shock absorber conversion, complete suspension rebuild, disc brake conversion, alternator etc. All at much less than repairs to the modern cars we have. Road Tax…., what’s Road Tax?
6. How does it feel like to drive?
Surprisingly good, it always amazes passengers how smooth, rattle free and compliant it is. I don’t have a noisy exhaust and the engine is one of the early ’studless’ low compression examples and is very smooth and torquey. I have modern served disc brakes that work really well and are beautifully balanced. A Getrag 5 speed was fitted in the 80’s by Guy Broad and this gives a much better gear change and more relaxed high speed touring.
7. How often do you drive it?
In good weather its out about twice a week. I have another half dozen or so cars and a similar number of bikes, but the XK is always my ‘go-to’.
8. Has it been on any eventful journeys?
We have used it extensively in the UK, touring the highlands, the Isle of Man and the Isle of White, as well as all sorts of odd excursions, but we haven’t taken it abroad. Since I’ve owned it I have driven around Australia, the USA and New Zealand, but always in rentals, so the XK is our UK trip car. It’s going Island hopping around Scotland later this summer.
9. How do you look after the car?
I do it myself if its relatively simple, but use Guy Broad for the more complicated jobs. I used to run a Bentley Continental GT and they were the longest six years of my life, as I waited for the next warning light to come on and make another expensive trip to the specialist. It took a lot of the joy out of ownership for me. The XK is exactly the opposite, you can do most things yourself, but even if you can’t, a trip to the specialist is a social occasion.
10. Is there another classic or supercar that you’d like to buy, and why?
I’ve always fancied an AC 428 Coupe and missed a cheap one at Coy’s in the 90’s, but I think that ship has sailed.
11. What advice do you have for anyone looking to buy this model of car?
Get a specialist to look at it first. It’s a really wise investment of a couple of hundred quid. A good one is an absolute joy, but buy in haste.
12. How does it compare to newer models, or other cars you’ve driven?
Well, its different in so many ways to most of my other cars, just as all my friends are different. This would be my best friend, but it doesn’t exclude the others from my circle of acquaintances.
13. How is the current market for this car, and how do you see this evolving?
Slowing as we get older and the market gets smaller. I see the original XK120 as being the style icon of the XK range and suspect that the looks, whilst not appealing to everyone, will secure a place in sports car history. The later XK’s, better cars in so many ways, will ultimately be less desirable as their superior abilities become less relevant as people won’t tour the world in them, but use them for trips to the pub and just hanging out with their mates.
14. Is the car a keeper or can you see a time that you’d sell the car to another custodian?
Keeper, no question. When I can’t use it any more I’ll look at it instead, same applies to the wife.
To conclude
We would like to say a big thank you to Anthony into his insight to his ownership of his Jaguar XK120. The car certainly got our attention when we saw it in person. This model of Jaguar is one of my favourite classic car designs.
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