Classic Cars March 2017

In 1975, while a savage economic storm tore at the UK motor industry, this car-mad ten-year-old was blissfully unaware. Inflation hit a record 24% and cars sales slumped 29%. British Leyland was saved by a government bailout but Chrysler UK had to sort itself out with job losses in the thousands. For exotic car makers it was worse, with Jensen calling in the receiver and Aston Martin suspending production pending rescue. But at the Paris Show in October and the Earls Court show two weeks later a crisp, silver dart of glassfibre punctured the gloom. Despite battling with its own share of post-oil crisis pressure Lotus gave us the Esprit, a daring slice of futuristic optimism. It retained all of the radical drama of Italdesign’s earlier concept, yet this was…

Welcome This month’s cover feature has Phil lost in the Seventies, and reminds him of a gold Esprit S2 that escaped In 1975, while a savage economic storm tore at the UK motor industry, this car-mad ten-year-old was blissfully unaware. Inflation hit a record 24% and cars sales slumped 29%. British Leyland was saved by a government bailout but Chrysler UK had to sort itself out with job losses in the thousands. For exotic car makers it was worse, with Jensen calling in the receiver and Aston Martin suspending production pending rescue. But at the Paris Show in October and the Earls Court show two weeks later a crisp, silver dart of glassfibre punctured the gloom. Despite battling with its own share of post-oil crisis pressure Lotus gave us the…

‘There’s something about the early Fifties styling; the XK120 is what I consider the connoisseur’s choice’ Stunning, isn’t it? It’s all about the bonnet, and I love the rear wheel spats – those and the bubble roof make it look like one of those Thirties Bugattis with the teardrop styling.’ This month’s lucky reader, Angus Doe, is buzzing with excitement at his first glimpse of the 1954 Jaguar XK120 fixed-head whose wheel we’re about to put him behind. We’re stood in the beautifully converted barn that houses the cars at North Yorkshire’s Classic and Sportscar Centre, supping tea and waiting for the early fog to lift. It’s a good time to pose the question that’s been bugging us since we saw Angus’s emailed wishlist of cars. People are usually drawn to the cars…

Jaguar XK 120 The List Standing in the rain with his father at the Revival watching C-types and XK120s drift round corners left its mark on Angus Doe. He’s wanted to drive one ever since, and today we’re making that happen Words RUSS SMITH Photography JONATHAN JACOB ‘There’s something about the early Fifties styling; the XK120 is what I consider the connoisseur’s choice’ Stunning, isn’t it? It’s all about the bonnet, and I love the rear wheel spats – those and the bubble roof make it look like one of those Thirties Bugattis with the teardrop styling.’ This month’s lucky reader, Angus Doe, is buzzing with excitement at his first glimpse of the 1954 Jaguar XK120 fixed-head whose wheel we’re about to put him behind. We’re stood in the beautifully…

THE IMPORTANT MODELS XK120 OTS (ALLOY) 1948-50 Conceived as limited production model to showcase Jaguar’s new twin-cam engine. First cars coachbuilt with alloy panels over a steel and ash frame to save costs. Bulging order book soon puts paid to idea of just 200 cars. XK120 OTS (STEEL) 1950-54 Using pressed steel for most of the body sped up production, but the cars were far from all steel – opening panels aluminium; floorpans wooden. Other differences include resited fuel tank and stronger boot floor crossmember. XK120 FHC 1951-54 More than just a welded-on roof, coupé was redesigned from the front wings backwards and got wind-up windows and quarterlights in place of the OTS’s removable side screens. Floors were now steel with plywood heel area. XK120 DHC 1953-54 A kind of…

XK120 OTS (ALLOY) 1948-50 Conceived as limited production model to showcase Jaguar’s new twin-cam engine. First cars coachbuilt with alloy panels over a steel and ash frame to save costs. Bulging order book soon puts paid to idea of just 200 cars. XK120 OTS (STEEL) 1950-54 Using pressed steel for most of the body sped up production, but the cars were far from all steel – opening panels aluminium; floorpans wooden. Other differences include resited fuel tank and stronger boot floor crossmember. XK120 FHC 1951-54 More than just a welded-on roof, coupé was redesigned from the front wings backwards and got wind-up windows and quarterlights in place of the OTS’s removable side screens. Floors were now steel with plywood heel area. XK120 DHC 1953-54 A kind of interim model, the drophead retained the FHC’s integral A-pillars and…