Classic Sports Car

Classic sports cars bring back the glamour of the past and prove us that we were always car addicts. Over the years many well known car brands manufactured amazing classic sports cars that brought innovations in the sports car industry.

One of these brands is the Jaguar, a British manufacturer from England. The company was founded in 1922 and it used to produce motorcycle sidecars. Jaguar became popular after the release of the extremely eye-catching sports cars: the 1949 XK120 and the 1961 E Type. These cars were appreciated for their market value, but also for the prizes they won by participating in famous international races. Their success was due to the engineering products that have revolutionized the market.

In my opinion the most amazing classic sports car manufactured by Jaguar is the Jaguar XK 120. This car was produced between 1948 and 1954 and it was the first post-war sports car produced by Jaguar. The car made its entrance for the first time at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testing car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It was a real success that determined manufacturers to start producing it.

The number “120” that is part of the car’s name refers to its top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h). Because of that top speed, the XK120 was back then the world’s fastest production car. The model was available in two “open” versions: as a roadster and as a drophead coupe. The second model was a deluxe convertible with wood accent veneers on the interior and beautiful wood dashboard.

The first 242 cars produced had ash frames and aluminum bodies. Others features were the dual overhead-cam 3.4 L engine and the independent torsion bar front suspension. The car had detachable side screens stowed out, barchetta style doors without external handles and a lightweight canvas top.

In 1949, the XK120 proved the press that it was a high-speed class car while being driven by Ron Sutton on the route between Jabbeke and Aeltre in Belgium. It was a white left-hand drive car with the hood and the side screens removed and an airflow deflector fitted in front of the driver. These features made the car go even faster. The XK120 was literally flying on the road at 219.83 km/h.

The car proved its speed by participating in numerous races and rallies. The first race won by the Jaguar XK120 took place in 1949 at the Silverstone Circuit. The driver that made the victory possible was Leslie Johnson. The “old cat” proved once again its true value in front of the Americans in 1950 in a race organized in Palm Beach Shores, Florida.

In addition to this, the XK120 set a lot of world records at the Autodrome de Montlhery, near Paris: in 1950 – the best average speed of a production car (over 160.93 km/h for 24 hour and the best lap of 203.10 km/h), in 1951 – the best speed (212 km/h in one hour) and in 1952 the car was driven with a speed of 161.43 km/h for seven days and nights.

I don’t have anything else to say. The XK120 is the most amazing classic sports car in the world and has left me speechless. Because only 250 wood frame cars were ever built, the XK120 is considered the rarest classic sports car in history.

Post tags: Tags: 1949 Jaguar XK120, Autodrome de Montlhery, Classic Sports Car