Jaguar XK120 History

Unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show, the XK120 was named for its 120-mph top speed — making it the fastest standard production car in the world at launch. It introduced the 3.4-litre XK twin-overhead-cam straight-six, an engine so good it powered Jaguars in various forms into the 1990s.

Initially intended as a low-volume showcase, demand was so strong that Jaguar switched from aluminium to steel bodies for series production. It established Jaguar as a serious sports-car maker and seeded the C-Type and D-Type racers.