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Buying a 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

The Jaguar XK120 Roadster was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954, and was first launched at the 1948 London Motor Show to much acclaim. The first sports car launched by Jaguar since the SS 1000 stopped production in 1940, the 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster caused a sensation that was hard to ignore. The “120” in the name referred to its 120mph top speed, which was reportedly faster with the windscreen removed, and launched the 1948 Roadster into history as the world’s fastest standard production car at the time. If you’re looking to buy a Jaguar XK120, you’ll find the car is available in two open versions: first as the Roadster (designated as “OTS,” for open two-seater in the American market), then also as a Drop Head Coupe (DHC) from 1953. The closed model, a Fixed Head Coupe (FHC), would arrive on the scene from 1951. If you’re looking for luxury, the DHC was certainly renowned as the more deluxe open model, with wind-up windows and a wood-veneer dashboard and interior door caps.

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1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster Buyer’s Guide

One interesting piece of trivia on the 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster is that beginning in 1948, the first 242 cars were hand-built and wore wood-framed open two-seater bodies with aluminum panels. In early 1950, Jaguar production would switch to mass-produced pressed-steel bodies. This change also helped Jaguar meet increasing demand in the market. The cars did retain aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid, however. As one might imagine, the first 242 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster models are some of the most desirable and difficult to acquire in the entire Jaguar brand. Thankfully, you’ve found The Beverly Hills Car Club, one of the country’s leading classic car dealerships specializing in the purchase and sale of some of the world’s most incredible classics. As a California classic car dealership based in Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Car Club team has the resources and connections needed to help you find the 1948 XK120 you desire. Be sure to contact them today to express your interest so they can start the process of finding the right one for your collection.

In the world of classic cars, no one has more expertise and knowledge than the team at The Beverly Hills Car Club. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the 1948 Jaguar XK120 Roadster or are ready to purchase one today, let their team assist you with all your classic car needs from beginning to end. They look forward to hearing from you soon.