1953 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic (Ghia coachwork)
- Engine
- 3.4L DOHC inline-six with triple Weber twin-barrel carburetors, Conrero-tuned cylinder head, ~220 bhp
- Colour
- Red metallic
A Jaguar XK120 fixed-head coupé re-bodied by Ghia in 1953 with Giovanni Savonuzzi's dramatic Supersonic coachwork, one of only three such cars built on XK120 chassis and one of only two surviving examples. Unique among them for its Conrero-tuned cylinder head and triple Weber carburettors producing around 220 bhp, the car was exhibited at the 1954 Paris and London motor shows and participated in concours at Montreux and Cannes. It passed through several French owners before a documented restoration in the 1990s and subsequent concours success.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,062,500
- 1969 →Private salePhilippe Renaultpartial documentation
Acquired the car from the Parisian dealer in 1969.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownRoland Urbanpartial documentation
Displayed the car as part of a collection of specially bodied Jaguars at Montlhéry and included it in his published work on Jaguar coachbuilt variants.
- 1994 → 2007Acquisition unknownM. Ferchaudfull documentation
Prominent French Jaguar enthusiast who commissioned a full restoration through specialist coachbuilder Atelier Sontrop at approximately 9,400 km from new; restoration documentation is retained on file.
- 2007 →Acquisition unknownCurrent ownersfull documentation
Acquired in 2007; car now shows approximately 22,000 km and is supported by FIVA paperwork and French registration documents.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryDelecroixfull documentation
Parisian dealer who took original factory delivery of the car, then arranged for it to be sent to Ghia for Supersonic coachwork on behalf of a client. After the client failed to pay, the car returned to this dealer and remained there until 1969.
- Date unknownPrivate saleMonsieur Malpellipartial documentation
Lyon-based businessman who commissioned the Supersonic bodywork but ultimately never settled the invoice, resulting in the car reverting to the dealer.
Competition
- 1953Mille Miglia1953 Mille Miglia
The Ghia Supersonic design made its debut on a Conrero-prepared Alfa Romeo 1900 at this event; this Jaguar chassis did not participate — included as context for the body design's origin.
- 19541954 Paris Motor Show
Car was displayed at the Paris show following completion of its Supersonic coachwork.
- 19541954 London Motor Show
Car was also shown at the London motor show in the same year.
- 1954Concours d'Elegance, Montreux
Car participated in the elegance competition at Montreux around the time of the motor shows.
- 1954Concours d'Elegance, Cannes
Shown alongside both other XK120 Supersonic examples at this event, making it a notable gathering of the full trio.
- 19981998 Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance, BagatelleAward winner
Following restoration by Atelier Sontrop, the car earned a prize at this prestigious Paris-area concours.
- 20142014 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard MilleSpecial prize
Recognized with a special award at this French concours d'elegance event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953BodyworkGhia
Original factory fixed-head coupé coachwork removed and replaced with Ghia-built Supersonic aluminium bodywork; interior trimmed in tan leather by Ghia; Conrero-tuned cylinder head and triple Weber carburettors fitted in place of standard twin SU units.
Work carried out at Ghia to the order of Monsieur Malpelli via dealer Delecroix.
- —RestorationAtelier Sontrop
Comprehensive restoration carried out when the car had covered roughly 9,400 km; full documentation for this work is retained on file.
Undertaken during M. Ferchaud's ownership in the mid-to-late 1990s.
- —BodyworkAtelier Sontrop
Car repainted in red metallic finish; original Ghia tan leather interior retained.
Carried out during or after the restoration period; original interior left in place.
- —ServiceAtelier Sontrop
Series of subsequent services following the restoration, with supporting documentation on file.
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