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

Jaguar XK 120, 140 & 150 (1948-1961)

Many interesting classic cars are ever increasing in value, and the Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150 models are certainly amongst that category. This is the essential guide to those models - an important read for owners, but more crucially, a constant reference guide to keep with you when viewing a potential purchase. It will help you identify the model that suits you, tell you what to look for when inspecting a car, and provide you with all the necessary procedures to go through to ensure the car is what it appears to be.
With guidance on common pitfalls and the best ways to buy, this book will help you get the best possible car you can for your money.

Jaguar XK 120 in Detail

The Jaguar XK120, unveiled at the 1948 Motor Show, remains a timeless automotive masterpiece over half a century later. Despite being assembled in just a few weeks, it captivated both the press and the public with its stunning design and exceptional performance. With a top speed of 120mph, it surpassed the capabilities of most cars of its time, thanks to its powerful twin overhead camshaft 3.4-liter engine.

Anders Ditlev Clausager, Chief Archivist of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, meticulously documents the XK120's history and development in this book. Drawing from factory records and archives, he provides unprecedented historical and statistical insights.
From the genesis of the XK120 to the evolution of the XK engine and the model's debut, Clausager covers it all. He explores the introduction of coupe and drophead versions, production changes, global sales, and the XK120's notable presence in competitions like Le Mans.

The book also delves into special-bodied cars, ownership experiences, and includes appendices detailing early alloy-bodied cars and color schemes. With over 100 color illustrations and 300 black-and-white pictures, including iconic examples like NUB120 and Stirling Moss's Monthléry record-breaker, this comprehensive guide is essential for XK120 enthusiasts and owners alike.

Jaguar XK140 / 150 in Detail

Jaguar's series of XK sports cars used the remarkable twin overhead camshaft engine first exposed to the public in 1948 in the new XK120 two-seater, which took the motoring world by storm.

For 1954 the XK120 was replaced by the more refined, mildly restyled XK140 model, with an increase in power, optional overdrive, a roomier cockpit, and top speed up to 130mph from the XK120's 120mph maximum. Available as a two-seat roadster, a drophead coupé and a fixed-head coupé, it represented the maturing of the XK line.

It was replaced in 1957 by what turned out to be the last of the line and the immediate predecessor of the E-Type, the XK150. With disc brakes on all wheels, the option of engines up to 265bhp and a completely new but recognisably "XK" body, the XK150 was an extremely competent high-performance car with more than a touch of glamour.

This book opens with an exposition of the background to the introduction of the XK140, a key model because the XK120 was such a hard act to follow. Then comes a full technical analysis of the new car, covering all aspects of the chassis, running gear, engine and transmission, along with descriptions of the body types offered.
This sets the scene for the subsequent coverage of the XK150. Major production changes during the evolution of the two models are recorded, and production and sales worldwide are analysed in depth.

The author also provides information on prototypes, special-bodied cars, famous cars and famous owners. Appendices include advice on identification and dating, and unprecedented detail on colour schemes.
Nine outstanding examples of XK140s and150s are featured in 140 specially commissioned colour photographs, accompanied by some 250 photographs from the archives of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and reproductions of XK sales and publicity material.

Jaguar XK 120, XK 140, XK 150 1948-1960

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Jaguar XK 120 / 140 / 150 models from the years 1948-1960. Describes the Jaguar XK120, Coupé, C-Type, Fitch-Jaguar, XK120M, D-Type, XK140, Coupé, XK140MC, XKSS, XK150, Coupé, XK150S, Lister Jaguar, XK150S 3.8 and Le Mans.

• The 68 articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

▶  More information on the Brooklands Portfolio books

Jaguar XK120 - The story of 660725

Jaguar XK 120 chassis 660725 was ordered new by Singaporean businessman and amateur racing driver Chan Lye Choon, but soon after its arrival it was acquired by Malayan-based Scotsman Bob Henderson, a young rubber trader who would keep the car for more than 60 years.
During its time in the Far East, 660725 was shot at by Communist Terrorists during the Malayan Emergency, competed in official and highly unofficial road races, and eventually followed its owner from Malaya to Indonesia.
Then it was back to Scotland - where the XK was occasionally used for towing de Havilland Mosquito aircraft as well as racing against them - and on to Canada, where it achieved notable success in ice-racing and rallying.
After a long period of hibernation, 660725 was restored in the early years of the 21st century before Henderson decided to carry out his own disc brake conversion. Amazingly, this resourceful engineer also fitted a turbocharger, which led to the elderly XK recording a 0-100mph time of 13.8 seconds!

Written by Simon Ham with considerable input from Henderson himself, this book covers all of the car's adventures in detail, bringing the story right up to date via its recent recommissioning work with its current owner.

Features:
- Full story of the Jaguar's time in Kuala Lumpur and its competition activities in the Far East
- Ice-racing success in Canada and its victory in the gruelling Canadian International Winter Rally
- How the car was restored in Bob Henderson's native Scotland following 30 years of storage
- An in-depth look at how its owner successfully fitted a turbocharger to the venerable six-cylinder engine
- Details of Henderson's best-known automotive creation - the mid-engined Argyll GT
- Dozens of evocative images from Henderson's personal collection, plus a bespoke studio photoshoot.

Jaguar XK120 : The Remarkable History of JWK 651

This book tells the story of one of the six alloy-bodied XK 120s that were prepared by Jaguar in 1950 for racing and rallying. This one, known as JWK 651 because of the registration number it has carried since new, was owned by Leslie Johnson and raced by him in some of the most prestigious events of the time, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Mille Miglia (twice) and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod.

Beyond that, Johnson and up-and-coming Stirling Moss visited the speed bowl at Montlhéry, near Paris, for a record-breaking attempt and Johnson also took part in the RAC Rally. Besides this diverse and distinguished period competition career, the book tells the story of the later life of this most significant XK 120.
The book includes a wealth of period photographs as well as a portfolio of magnificent studio images.

Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia

In this, the first in Porter Press's new 'Coachbuilt Cars' series, author Richard Heseltine has untangled the Ghia Jaguar XK 120 Supersonic's complicated story of British design brilliance and Italian design artistry.

Built on Jaguar XK 120 chassis number 679768, this car wasn't unique: two other examples were made in 1954. But the trio was just one part of the charismatic Supersonic canon, which began with a one-off GT intended to contest the Mille Miglia.
This tale, of how Ghia wowed the car world with its jet-age styling, takes in several fascinating characters whose names have peppered the post-war story of Italian car design, engineering and racing.

Features:
- In-depth background on Carrozzeria Ghia examines the Italian coachbuilder's efforts to spread across Europe and 'crack' the US market, which it did in a way by adding design stardust to Chrysler cars and creating the hugely popular Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia.
- The birth of Supersonic design as an Alfa Romeo-powered GT is covered in great detail, and the author goes on to explain how ostensibly the same car carried the badges of Aston Martin, Fiat and even AC/Shelby as the show-stopping, wind-cheating shape was adapted to a wide variety of other chassis.
- Readers will discover how the original Supersonic was the work of Giovanni Sovanuzzi, the genius designer-engineer famous for the Cisitalia 202. Meanwhile, race team legend Virgilio Conrero was first to put fire in the Supersonic's belly, while fiery Ghia chief Luigi Segre used the car to woo North America.
- A fascinating line-up of other Italian-bodied Jaguar XK sports cars are examined and illustrated, as a way to compare and contrast the Supersonic with the work of other accomplished Italian designers.
- The history of chassis number 679768, is chronicled, recounting its elusive first owner, its lengthy periods hidden from public view, and its status today as the prized centrepiece in a private collection.
- Stunning contemporary photography of the car is mixed with rare and fascinating archive images.

Jaguar XK, la compétition sur route dans les années 1950

1950-1960. Lors des très riches heures de la compétition sur route, les Jaguar XK sont en pleine action dans les courses mythiques comme le rallye des Alpes, le Tour de France, le Lyon-Charbonnières, le Liège-Rome-Liège, le rallye des Tulipes, le Soleil-Cannes, l'Évian-Mont-Blanc, le Monte-Carlo, les Mille Miglia, le Sablé-Solesmes, le Neige et Glace, les 12 Heures d'Hyères, le rallye de Sestrières, les Routes du Nord et des dizaines d'autres compétitions et tentatives de records en France, en Belgique, en Hollande, en Italie, en Suisse...

Des photos à couper le souffle, des documents inédits présentent les Jaguar XK 120, 140, 150 mais aussi les Types-C et D en course sur route ouverte.
Deux cent quarante pages de bonheur automobile pour plonger dans l'album souvenir des pilotes et des photographes de l'époque, pour rêver, entrer en immersion totale dans ce temps révolu des gentlemen drivers, retrouver le parfum des fifties et re-découvrir le charme des rallyes de ces années 1950.