Price on request.
A welcome entry for all the major historic events including Mille Miglia, Goodwood, Le Mans Classic and any major concours event, such is the quality of its provenance and exacting restoration
Early start number in the Mille Miglia
A genuine racing XK120 with an enviable competition pedigree, including Goodwood and Silverstone
It has been driven by some famous names of the ’50 including Ken Rudd and Dick Protheroe
Restored to its early race specification during 2019 by marque exponents JD Classics and since maintained regardless of cost, subsequently successfully completed the Mille Miglia
With Heritage certificate and an extensive restoration reportage
Complete with FIVA and Mille Miglia Registro papers
“We claimed 120 mph (for the XK120), a speed unheard of for a production car in those days” – William Heynes, Chief Engineer, Jaguar Cars.
The year 1948 saw the introduction of one of the greatest post war classic sports cars; the Jaguar XK 120.
The Jaguar XK 120 established revolutionary new standards, the car combined racing car performance with practicality.
Above that, the beauty of design was breathtaking with timeless pure lines and elegance.
Together with the introduction of the new model, the XK 120 Jaguar launched the new 3442 cc six cylinder twin cam engine.
This superb piece of machinery gave the XK 120 a top-speed of 120 mph, unrivaled in it’s decade. The Jaguar XK 120 open two-seater (OTS) was accompanied by a fixed head coupe (FHC) model in the year 1951. A drop head coupe (DHC) model saw the light of day in 1953.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This original right hand drive UK delivered ‘home market specification’ XK120 Roadster was manufactured on 15th of November 1950 and supplied via distributor Henlys Ltd to a company ‘E. H. Backley & Co’.
This gorgeous early steel bodied example was finished as today, in Black coachwork with Duo-Biscuit and Red trim and registered with its distinctive number ‘NFM 114’.
The beginning of the 1953 season saw a young racing driver, David Boston.
Boston was a typical amateur racing driver combining sufficient levels of wealth, talent and enthusiasm to enjoy a respectable level of success in both national and international events throughout 1953-1954.
The first recorded event was the West Essex Car Club’s race meeting at Snetterton on May 30th where Boston raced as part of the Hadlow Wood Racing Team.
Just two weeks later, on 18th June 1953 Boston took part in the British Empire Trophy Race at Douglas on the Isle of Man against an impressive field, which included Stirling Moss and Reg Parnell.
The next event for Boston was at a similarly high-level and took place on August 22nd 1953 where he entered the Goodwood 9 Hour Race, partnered by his friend Dick Protheroe.
On September 12th Boston contested then prestigious Wakefield Trophy at Currach in Ireland.
However, this was not the end of NFM114’s competition career and the car was soon seen on 27th March 1954 when Ken Rudd raced the XK in Goodwood.
The XK120’s career continued with an entry into the Silverstone 6 hour relay race later in the year, although the driver for this event is as yet unidentified.
Competition appearances for NFM114 declined thereafter but it probably participated in occasional minor events in the later 1950s and 1960s.
Over the later years of the 1960s and 1970s it passed through the hands of a number of enthusiasts, eventually finding its way to Finland and had returned to England by 2018 when it was acquired and fully restored by marque exponents JD Classics.
A comprehensive and exhaustive restoration program was commissioned, with the aim to return ‘NFM114’ to the configuration which it ran at Goodwood, adorned with the number ’63’.
Before the start of the restoration, the car was studied in detail. Crucial information was found in books and in old photographs.
The body and chassis were stripped off paint completely and the bright work was stripped of old chrome.
The chassis was sand blasted inside and out, meticulously cleaned, primed and spray painted black according to original specifications.
All mechanics, engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering gear and brake system were fully restored and overhauled within the smallest tolerances.
All new wiring was fitted. Nuts and bolts, screws, washers and other small parts of the original type were used but fully restored.
It has since been maintained regardless of cost as is evident from its current immaculate presentation.
During the last few years, it has successfully completed the Mille Miglia.
It has a comprehensive history file, including wonderful period photos made by Louis Klemantaski and Guy Griffiths.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
The Jaguar has been restored to outstanding condition, with great attention to originality and detail.
The car is perfect exterior and interior wise.
Being restored with the utmost precision, the presence of complete history file, Heritage certificate along with historical pictures really give a convincing insight about the importance of this unique Jaguar.
We can be very short about the condition of the exterior of the car as every single detail is in a beautiful condition. The panel fits are excellent, the chrome is in excellent condition even as the windows, the wheels etc. etc.
The car has benefit from usage during several Mille Miglia’s and has therefore a very nice light patina.
CONDITION INTERIOR
The entire interior, every single detail is in great condition.
The seat frames, springs and inner material were fully restored and renewed. The seats, rear bench, door panels, dash top and bottom were upholstered with first class Connolly leather.
The floor was upholstered with fine wool carpet.
All gauges like the odometer, speedometer, rev. counter and all switches have been taken apart for full restoration, overhaul, and calibration.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Decades after its production ceased, the Jaguar XK140 Roadster remains a sought-after classic car, cherished by collectors and admired by enthusiasts worldwide.
The XK 120 was the car that made Jaguar as a brand and there can be no better reminder of where the legend came from.
The driving experience of this racing XK reflects the fabulous looks of the car. The engine is extremely powerful and certainly much faster then a “standard” XK 120.
The overall handling is also impressive. The directness of all the parts is difficult to describe and must be felt during a testdrive.
Just a few minutes of driving this great XK immerses us in some sort of a daydream, in which we push the Jaguar, accelerating out of Tertre Rouge onto the long Hunaudières straight at Le Mans.
This car truly is a wonderful thing and the sound is captivating and addictive.
We realise that this isn’t just a fast car for 19fifty-something, it’s a fast car in 2025. It pulls through the gears and hunts the horizon with modern-day urgency.
Through the bends the steering is direct and responsive thanks to the XK120’s rack and pinion setup.
This specific XK Competition Roadster is equally at home as a fast road car, on regularity rallies, or on the race track.
