Jaguar XK 120, XK 140 and XK 150: Books - History (1/2)

Jaguar XK : A Celebration of Jaguar's 1950s Classic

A welcome addition to the Great Cars Series, this volume focuses on the Jaguar XK 120, 140 and 150 model ranges.
The XK120 established Jaguar as a world-renowned marque, providing a remarkable combination of style, world-beating performance and innovative engineering, and the subsequent XK140 and XK150 maintained Jaguar's position as a leading sports car manufacturer.

With the aid of archive images and stunning studio photography, respected Jaguar historian Nigel Thorley tells the story of these classic cars.

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Author:	Nigel Thorley
Details:	152 pages, 26 x 26 x 2.2 cm / 10.25 x 10.25 x 0.87 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2018)
Series:	Veloce Classic Reprint
ISBN:	9781787113022

Jaguar XKs - A Collector's Guide

More than 30,000 examples of the three series of Jaguar XK open tourers, convertibles and coupes were manufactured over a period of 11 years, and the majority which have survived have become highly collectable classics by discerning enthusiasts, who recognize their significance within the total Jaguar performance-car legend.
For it was the original XK120, introduced to a car-starved world in the aftermath of the World War II, which earned for Jaguar its biggest ever headlines and steered the company to brilliant success.
The author, renowned as one of the world's leading Jaguar experts, describes in turn each model's design, development and production history and their competition careers, and offers valuable purchasing and ownership advice, including spare parts sources.

Chapters: Ancestors and parentage - The XK 120 - The XK 140 - The XK 150 - XKs in competition - Buying a Jaguar XK - Spares and maintenance.
Appendices: Technical specifications - Chassis numbers, engine numbers and model identification - Engine changes by model, date and number - XK colour finishes - XK production figures - Performance figures.

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Author:	Paul Skilleter
Details:	128 pages, 18 x 23.5 x 1 cm / 7.1 x 9.25 x 0.39 in, paperback
Illustrations:	140 b&w photos
Publisher:	Motor Racing Publications Ltd (GB, 2001)
ISBN:	9781899870578

Original Jaguar XK - The Restorer's Guide

This is the third edition of a book that has solidified its status as the XK bible, having undergone five reprints. Featuring over 50 specifically photographed XKs, including eight rare alloy XK120s, this guide is a comprehensive resource for XK owners, restorers, and enthusiasts.

"Original Jaguar XK" stands as the sole publication offering detailed textual and photographic coverage of XK120s, XK140s, and XK150s, encompassing model breakdowns, color schemes, and extensive statistical data. Emphasizing 100% originality, the guide delves into the rarest XKs, remarkably low-mileage unrestored cars, bodywork, interiors, mechanical details, and presents chapters on tools and literature by Roger Payne.
It further includes insights from leading XK experts, features barn-find cars in their discovered state, and incorporates input from XK data authority David Bentley on XK survivors.

Illustrated with lavish detail, the book spans from the earliest alloy 120s to the final 3.8 150 'S' models. A must-have for those seeking a profound understanding of Jaguar XK sportscars.

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Author:	Philip Porter
Details:	400 pages, 28 x 23 x 3.2 cm / 11 x 9.1 x 1.26 in, hardback
Illustrations:	1000+ b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Porter Press International (GB, 2022)
ISBN:	9781913089597

The Jaguar XKs - The 1950s Pacesetters from Coventry

The Jaguar XK120 caused a sensation at the 1948 London Motor Show with its stunning appearance and the startling performance on tap from the innovative XK engine.
Although the captivating roadster had been intended as a limited volume showcase for the technically advanced powerplant, unprecedented consumer demand forced the company to build it in greater numbers, becoming the most affordable supercar of the time.

In this highly readable and informative book, award-winning historian John Nikas reveals the inside story of the development of the entire XK series, including the Le Mans winning sports racers and the iconic XK SS.
Always striving to burnish its burgeoning reputation, Jaguar improved the basic formula to create the XK140 in 1954. With more space, better handling and improved performance, the model cemented the company's reputation as one of the finest sports car manufacturers in the world.

Despite the devastating fire at Brown's Lane in 1957, Jaguar introduced a new model later that year with revolutionary all-round disc brakes from Dunlop - the perfect complement for a vehicle offering faster acceleration and a higher top speed than ever before.

This is the story of all the models from that fascinating era with rare period images and beautiful colour photographs from famed automotive photographer Marc Vorgers.

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Author:	John Nikas
Details:	96 pages, 23.5 x 16.5 x 1 cm / 9.25 x 6.5 x 0.39 in, paperback
Illustrations:	100 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781445673462

Jaguar XK120, XK140, XK150 Sports Cars

No sports-car introduction in history has had the impact of Jaguar's XK120 in 1948. Thrust into a dreary post-war world was a stunningly gorgeous roadster, its styling inspired by the best pre-war Italian design, powered by a magnificent 3.5-liter in-line six developing 160 horsepower. Its twin-cam hemispherical-chamber head was a dramatic advance for British production cars.

Exotic cars all, the XK-series of sports Jaguars are among the world's most glamorous. Rare photos from the Ludvigsen Library trace their history on road and track and give an intimate portrait of the sports cars that raised the bar for Jaguar's opposition and cemented the company's reputation for fast, stylish cars that were also remarkably affordable.

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Author:	Karl Ludvigsen
Details:	128 pages, 21.5 x 26 x 1.3 cm / 8.5 x 10.25 x 0.51 in, paperback
Illustrations:	121 b&w photos
Publisher:	Iconografix (USA, 2005)
ISBN:	9781583881507

Classic Jaguar XK - The 6-Cylinder Cars 1948-1970

There have been other generations of Jaguar XK since, but the definitive incarnation is the family of 6-cylinder sports cars that stretch from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s, from XK120 to the E-Type.
On road, on track and on rally stage, they built the foundations of Jaguar's sporty image and giant-killing reputation, not to mention its commercial roots - especially in America. By any definition, the 6-cylinder XKs are at the heart of everything that Jaguar grew into.

This is the complete story of the whole 6-cylinder XK generation, the circumstances, the people and the events that created it and made it a sports car legend - and guaranteed that forever after, in Jaguar's vocabulary, XK would always mean 'sports car'.

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Author:	Brian Laban
Details:	208 pages, 26 x 21.5 x 1.9 cm / 10.25 x 8.5 x 0.75 in, hardback
Illustrations:	270 colour photos
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781785001932

Das Original: Jaguar XK - Coupé, Cabriolet, Roadster

The reference guide for XK owners and restorers. First-class examples of all nine Jaguar XK models in words and pictures. Over 150 exclusive, brilliant color photos.
Convincing detailed shots of the body, interior and mechanics. Meticulously researched text and numerous tables. All illustrations selected by a jury of well-known XK experts.

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Author:	Philip Porter, Tim Andrew
Details:	96 pages, 30 x 23 cm / 11.8 x 9.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:	150 colour photos
Publisher:	Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2016)
ISBN:	9783958433083