1950 Jaguar XK-120 3.4 Alloy OTS

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Description

February 2026 update: Our team has recently completed a comprehensive cosmetic restoration of this rare Alloy-bodied XK-120 Roadster, and the Jaguar is entering an exciting new chapter as it begins a curated schedule of prestigious concours appearances and pedigree events, including the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and additional select exhibitions! The restoration focused on presenting the Alloy at a fresh show-level standard while honoring its historical significance and authenticity.

An extensive nut and bolt cosmetic restoration was performed, where the XK-120 was stripped to bare metal, carefully fitted and metal worked, then primered, sealed, painted, color sanded, and buffed to a concours-level finish. Components were refinished individually off the Roadster to ensure proper detailing throughout. The 120’s original mechanical components were found to be in great condition and are being preserved and were serviced accordingly. The interior was completely retrimmed using correct materials for the seats, door panels, carpets, convertible top, and tonneau cover, all tailored and installed by the Classic Showcase trimming department. The Alloy also received new glass along with numerous additional refinements completed during the restoration process, resulting in a beautifully presented example prepared for Concours exhibition.

The Alloy-bodied XK-120 Roadster represents one of the most historically significant early Jaguars ever produced. Jaguar created these lightweight aluminum-bodied models with competition in mind, where reduced weight and purposeful design delivered impressive performance on the track. This unique approach resulted in a special series of just 240 Alloy XK-120s, including the example presented here. The numbers-matching car, chassis number 670121, is one of only 184 left-hand-drive examples delivered out of a total production of 242 Alloy-bodied cars. It retains many notable early XK-120 features, along with a wonderful level of period character. Unique details exclusive to the 1949 to 1950 Alloy builds include chromed top bows, a chromed prop rod, and chromed seat bottoms and bases, elements later changed to painted steel beginning in 1951 to reduce production costs. Additionally, this Alloy is equipped with the taller SU carburetors exclusive to early XK and XK-120 models. A distinctive example of the earliest aluminum-bodied cars, it also features steel disc wheels and characteristic rear mudguard spats.

This XK-120 benefits from an impressive history, having once been owned by a well-known Jaguar collector and physician in Switzerland, where it was enjoyed in rallies and shows throughout Europe. After several years, the Jaguar made its way to the United States, where it was later acquired by Classic Showcase and subsequently placed with a prominent Southern California collector. During his ownership, the Alloy was driven and enjoyed extensively, including participation in the renowned Colorado Grand rally, a remarkable accomplishment for a car of this age and pedigree. We later reacquired the car, completing the recent restoration and preparation that has brought it to its current exceptional condition!

Today, this XK-120 Roadster stands as a striking example of the most desirable Alloy-bodied Jaguars, presented at a level befitting its rarity and historical importance. The Alloy roadster comes complete with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Certificate of Authenticity, tool roll, jack, and owner’s manual.

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History

While most contemporary observers of the Jaguar XK120 would be certain that it was born for greatness, it is surprising to consider that it was conceived and born as a limited-edition stopgap model. William Lyons assumed that the post-WWII fortune of his company, the recently re-named Jaguar Cars Ltd., would be made on the saloon cars that would sell so well in export markets, especially in the U.S. To that end, a new dual overhead-cam, six-cylinder, 160 horsepower engine was developed to power a new luxury sports four-door. As the new car was not yet ready, it was decided to launch the engine in a limited run of alloy-bodied roadsters. When shown at the 1948 Earl’s Court Motor Show, it created a sensation. Following a speed run on a Belgian highway in 1949, in which an XK120 ran 126 mph with its windshield on and 132 mph without, there was no doubt that this would become a regular production model. After 240 alloy cars were built, production was shifted to more easily manageable steel, which was now more widely available following post-war material shortages.

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