Jaguar XK120
Arguably setting the standard for sports cars for at
least the the coming decade, the Jaguar XK120 teamed aluminium with ash wood frames in
early 120s, creating a very light front-engined roadster.
The 3.4-litre straight-six engine fitted to ‘40s XKs
produced up to 160 bhp with the right fuel. UK cars ran a lower compression
ratio, owing to post-war austerity – fuel sold at the pumps here was just 70
octane – while overseas models could make the most of higher octane go-juice.
Jag were very proud of their creation, shipping
journalists and test drivers to Belgium in 1949 where, with some slight
aerodynamic mods, an XK120 was seen to reach speeds of 132 mph on the flying
mile – making it one of the fastest cars of the period.
