1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy Roadster
- Engine
- 3.8L DOHC inline-six with C-Type head, twin SU carburetors, reworked camshafts, over 300 bhp
- Colour
- Battleship Grey
Chassis 670025 is the 25th left-hand-drive example among only 242 hand-built alloy-bodied Jaguar XK120 roadsters, completed in November 1949 and delivered via U.S. distributor Max Hoffman. Raced competitively on the East Coast from new, the car underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration between 2007 and 2009, emerging in Battleship Grey with a C-Type-headed 3.8-litre engine producing around 300 bhp and a Borg-Warner five-speed gearbox. It has since earned concours recognition and successfully participated in distinguished touring events.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$346,500
- 1949 →Factory deliveryFirst owner via Max Hoffman (identity unknown)partial documentation
Took delivery through U.S. distributor Max Hoffman in New York; immediately campaigned the car competitively, reportedly replacing the original chassis with one from a 1953 Fixed Head Coupe for better track rigidity.
- 2000-04-01 → 2007-11-01Acquisition unknownRob Mooneypartial documentation
Continued to enter the car in vintage racing events at Lime Rock and Louden Raceway in New Hampshire before selling to Steven Harris.
- 2007-11-01 →Private saleSteven Harrispartial documentation
New York architect who commissioned a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration between 2007 and 2009, carried out by Mike Wilson's Restorations in California and Terry's Jaguar Parts in Illinois; car was refinished in Battleship Grey during this work.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownPaul Peattie and Ali Lugo de Armispartial documentation
Two well-regarded East Coast racing drivers and vintage sports car enthusiasts who held joint ownership for an extended period.
Competition
- 20092009 Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the AvenueBest in Class
First concours appearance following the completion of the 2007–2009 restoration.
- 2010Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Displayed at this prestigious Florida concours event in 2010.
- 2010Belmont Concours d'Eleganza
Also exhibited in 2010 alongside the Amelia Island appearance.
- 20112011 Presidio of San Francisco Concours d'Elegance
- —Vintage racingLime Rock vintage racing eventsDriver: Rob Mooney
Car was campaigned in multiple vintage events at Lime Rock during Mooney's ownership between April 2000 and November 2007.
- —Vintage racingLouden Raceway vintage racing eventsDriver: Rob Mooney
Car also competed at Louden Raceway in New Hampshire during the same ownership period.
- —Colorado GrandCompleted without incident
Participated successfully in this touring rally, demonstrating the quality of the restoration.
- —California MilleCompleted without incident
Also completed this demanding California-based historic rally without any mechanical issues.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007RestorationMike Wilson's Restorations
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt rebuild carried out between 2007 and 2009; car was refinished in period-correct Battleship Grey over pigskin interior, replacing an earlier British Racing Green livery. Previously upgraded components were retained and additional performance and drivability enhancements were incorporated.
Workshop based in Visalia, California. A Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate accompanies the car, and a file of restoration receipts is included.
- 2007Engine rebuildTerry's Jaguar Parts
Engine work performed concurrently with the broader restoration, encompassing the fitting of a 3.8-litre twin-cam unit with reworked camshafts, a ported and polished C-Type cylinder head, and twin SU sandcast carburettors.
Workshop located in Benton, Illinois; work carried out as part of the 2007–2009 restoration programme.
- —Modification
The original chassis was reportedly exchanged for a later unit sourced from a 1953 Fixed Head Coupe (chassis 679902), done to improve structural stiffness for track use.
Believed to have occurred during the first owner's racing tenure; exact date unknown.
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