May 30, 1949: a Jaguar XK120 drives at 213 km/h on a closed Belgian motorway, making it the world’s fastest production car at the time.
Now, an XK120 built to the same specification as the record-breaking car by Jaguar expert Barry Byford is for sale at Bilweb Auction.
Byford was one of Britain’s most renowned restorers of classic Jaguars and took on this XK120 project in the early 1980s.
Even then, it was a very special XK — a 1954 Special Equipment model, built as the fourth from last, factory-built for track competition. It is an OTS, meaning “Open Two-Seater.”
Byford restored the car for his own use and improved it in ways Jaguar itself might have done in the 1950s. A tuned 3.8-liter engine replaced the original 3.4-liter unit. The suspension was upgraded with adjustable shock absorbers and a steering column from an XK150 for better response.
The car also features disc brakes front and rear, and the windshield has been replaced by two small “Brookland screens” to minimize air resistance. The driver and passenger sit in period-correct “bucket seats,” just like those used in racing at the time.
The trained eye will also notice the aluminum bodywork’s lack of seams and bumpers.
In summary, this is a restoration of the highest standard, suitable for both road and track use. The original 3.4-liter engine from 1954, in thoroughly serviced condition, comes with the car for those who value matching numbers.
For those who appreciate documentation, Barry Byford’s handwritten and detailed restoration notes are included – along with Jaguar’s delivery papers.
The car was sold by the prestigious auction house Bonhams in 2020 and is now ready for a new owner via Bilweb Auctions.
Market value is estimated at 1–1.2 million SEK. The auction ends on June 26.
