Mille Miglia eligible, successfully participated in the Mille Miglia 2025, completing the event with excellent performance and reliability
Early-built Jaguar XK 120, highly desirable low starting number in the Mille Miglia, placing it among the earliest-starting Jaguar XK entries
Full body-off restoration, maintaining original lines and factory specifications
Complete with an extensive, fascinating history file with period photographs
Includes Fiva Card, Mille Miglia Registro, Jaguar Heritage Certificate ensuring provenance
Just a fraction of 1951 OTS examples survive, making this a highly sought-after XK
In 2025, the car underwent significant upgrades, including the installation of electronic power steering, bucket seats, and a 5-speed gearbox, representing a total investment of around € 17,000,-
Jaguar’s story begins with a spark of ambition and a restless drive for innovation.
Born in the 1920s as the Swallow Sidecar Company, Jaguar quickly moved from building motorcycle sidecars to crafting elegant, forward-thinking automobiles.
The late 1940s and early 1950s marked a golden era for Jaguar, and it was here that the XK120 made its legendary entrance.
Unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show, the XK120 was more than a sports car. Its flowing lines, low stance, and advanced engineering captured imaginations across the world.
Beneath its elegant body, the new 3.4-litre straight-six engine offered power, smoothness, and endurance, capable of more than 120 mph, a feat unheard of for a production car at the time.
By 1951, Jaguar produced around 3,300 XK120s across all variants, and of these, approximately 1,200 were Open Two Seaters (OTS).
These OTS models were the purest expression of the car: lightweight, agile, and exhilarating to drive.
Today, it is estimated that just about 25–30% of these 1951 OTS examples have survived, making them exceptionally rare and highly prized among collectors.
The XK120’s story was not just written on the roads of Britain.
The XK120 was born to thrill, and the Mille Miglia was its proving ground. Across a thousand miles of sun-soaked Italian roads, twisting mountain passes, and historic villages, it moved with fearless grace and unrelenting power. Every gear change, every corner, every mile revealed the perfect balance of engineering and emotion.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
This Jaguar XK 120 OTS was built on 30 May 1951 and originally delivered through legendary U.S. importer Max Hoffman in New York, destined for the American market where Jaguar’s sporting reputation was rapidly rising.
According to the Jaguar Heritage Certificate included in the history file, it left the Browns Lane factory finished in its original Black paint with a Red and Biscuit interior, exactly as it appears today.
From the mid-1960s through the 1990s and possibly into the early 2000s, the car was owned by Mr. Salvatore Foti, who lived first in Hamden, Connecticut, and later in Tampa, Florida.
During these decades, the XK 120 was meticulously maintained, remaining largely original and covering modest mileage.
The car continued to be cherished and carefully documented, preserving its history, provenance, and condition throughout this long period of ownership.
Later, according to a document dated 18 May 2011, the car was registered in North Carolina, USA, to Mr. Green of Black Mountain.
Around the early 2020s, it was registered in Wesel, Germany, before passing to its current Belgian owner in Knokke.
Under its current Belgian ownership, the car has participated successfully in the Mille Miglia, demonstrating its reliability.
Regarding its restoration, the car was treated with great care and respect for originality.
The car remained in exceptionally original condition until its faithful restoration which was carried out around 2010.
The body underwent a meticulous body-off restoration, including soda-blasting to bare metal, epoxy priming of the chassis and underbody, and rebuilding to its original delivery specification.
The engine was overhauled but retained, ensuring authenticity.
An additional highlight of this XK 120 OTS is the extensive history file, which contains valuable photographs of the restoration process, as well as charming images of the car with its earliest owners, frozen in time, reflecting the joy, pride, and character that defined its first chapters.
In addition to a comprehensive mechanical preparation for participation in the 2025 Mille Miglia, the car was upgraded with electronic power steering, bucket seats, and a 5-speed gearbox, for a total investment of approximately €17,000.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
The car’s original Black exterior paired with its Red leather interior gives the impression of a sporty, elegant car full of character, a combination that is both visually striking and highly desirable among collectors.
This Jaguar XK 120 OTS presents in excellent condition, reflecting a careful and thorough restoration completed some years ago.
Photographs from the restoration process show that the body was originally in very good, largely rust-free condition, which allowed the car to retain its classic lines.
Today, the body remains straight and well-aligned, with hood, doors, and trunk fitting neatly, showing the quality of the work done while preserving its original character.
The restoration respected the original specifications and details, ensuring the car remains faithful to its factory form, while also benefiting from the care and expertise applied at the time.
Overall, the exterior reflects a beautifully restored classic Jaguar XK 120, presenting with charm, authenticity, and well-maintained elegance.
CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior of this Jaguar XK 120 OTS has been carefully restored in its original Red and Biscuit color scheme, using materials faithful to the period. It retains the classic elegance and charm of the early 1950s, while offering a cabin that is both functional and inviting.
Ahead of the Mille Miglia 2025, the car was fitted with sporty, racing-style bucket seats.
These seats perfectly support the driver and passenger during fast cornering, while reflecting the style and spirit of a genuine competition car.
The dashboard, instruments, and trim have been restored to period-correct specifications, preserving the authentic look while ensuring usability.
A tonneau cover is included, maintaining practicality for open-top driving.
Overall, the interior combines classic style, thoughtful restoration, and race-inspired functionality, making it as thrilling to drive as it is elegant to behold.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Imagine tackling the Mille Miglia with one of the earliest starting numbers for a Jaguar XK, feeling the wind, the rhythm of the engine, and the pulse of a route that has tested legends for generations.
The 3.4-litre straight-six delivers lively, smooth power, while the racing-style, enveloping seats make every corner feel thrilling and precise.
To sit behind the wheel of an XK120 OTS is to feel history, performance, and elegance as one.
A car that thrilled drivers, conquered records, and continues to captivate more than seventy years later making early roadsters highly collectible.
This Jaguar XK 120 OTS stands out for its exceptional originality and character, offering thrilling driving, historic significance, and collector appeal, all at a surprisingly accessible price.
Mechanically, it is in excellent condition: the engine runs beautifully, with strong, responsive power and a perfect setup that reacts immediately to the throttle.
Ahead of the Mille Miglia 2025, the car was carefully prepared in our workshop to ensure complete reliability, giving confidence on every mile of the legendary race.
We look forward to seeing it shine at the start of the next Mille Miglia.
Price on request
