1954 JAGUAR XK120 FIXED HEAD COUPE Registration Number: BJK...

Hammer

£33,035

1954 JAGUAR XK120 FIXED HEAD COUPE

Registration Number: BJK 966
Chassis Number: 669158
Recorded Mileage: 04547 miles

- Original RHD example
- In current ownership for c.26 years
- Recently displayed at the Geneva Motor Show

It was at the 1948 London Motor Show that Jaguar threw the sports car world into turmoil with its stunning XK120. Here was a car with incredible style and looks, a powerful six cylinder engine installed in an outstanding chassis, and a remarkably low price, a quarter that of a V12 Ferrari, but with similar performance.

At the heart of the William Lyons styled roadster was that all-new 3,442cc twin overhead camshaft XK engine, producing 160bhp via twin SU carburettors, sufficient for 126mph and 0-60mph in 10 seconds. The XK120 became a massive success, both on the road and the track, where it scored numerous victories. The many drivers included Stirling Moss, Peter Walker, Peter Whitehead, Leslie Johnson and Ian Appleyard. In XK120C/C-Type form it won Le Mans in both 1951 and 1953, while its engine was to power three more Le Sarthe winners and a whole host of successful Jaguar models for the next fifty years.

The exquisitely beautiful and well-balanced Fixed Head Coupe (FHC) soon followed, remaining one of the world’s most celebrated closed Coupe designs and very much reminiscent of Jean Bugatti's Type 57 Atalante masterpiece. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, roadholding, performance and styling for British sports cars and, in keeping with Jaguar tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price.

One of only 152 UK/RHD Fixed Head Coupes, BJK 966 was delivered in May 1954 via Willets of Eastbourne to a Mr. Leslie Kirkham Green, who was such a loyal customer of Jaguar that he purchased a new XK model every year! In the intervening years BJK 966 spent most of its time in Essex, with a brief sojourn to Yorkshire, and for the 26 years has resided with its current owner in Wiltshire. In previous ownership the XK was subject of a comprehensive 10 year restoration by specialist Peter Madge, and has been uprated with a replacement 3.4 litre engine (D-8691-8), fitted with an optional ‘C-Type’ head and  2” sand cast carburettors, giving a useful power increase to 210bhp.

Further modern upgrades include the fitting of a brake servo, front disc brakes, copper brake lines, Kenlowe cooling fan and a dual-pipe stainless steel exhaust system. Originally finished in Birch Grey with a Red Leather interior, during restoration by specialist Peter Madge in 2007 the Jaguar was stripped to bare metal and refinished in its current shade of Old English White. The engine was expertly rebuilt to in 2015 to fast-road specification at a cost of c. £9,000. The car has been meticulously maintained in current ownership, supported by regular maintenance bills. 

A regular invitee and attendee at important marque events throughout the UK and Europe, BJK has just returned from a starring role at the 2024 Geneva Classic Motor Show. Offered with current V5C and older style V5 documents, buff log book, car cover, Heritage Certificate and owners manual, this wonderfully preserved example will surely become the pride of its future owner’s collection.