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XK INFO
XK120. XK140. XK150


The XK 120-140-150 were the Jaguar production sports cars of the 1950s – the classic era of Jaguar Le Mans successes. During this period around 30,000 XKs were made in three models:
  • XK 120 (until 1954)
  • XK 140 (1954 – 1957)
  • XK 150 (1957 – 1961)


Each model was available in three bodystyles:

  • OTS (open two seater / roadster)
  • DHC (drophead coupe / cabriolet)
  • FHC (fixed head coupe / saloon)


About 75% of total production was left hand drive most of which were exported to North America.


Approximate production figures of each model and bodystyle were:
XK 120 OTS LHD 6438 RHD 1176
FHC LHD 2485 RHD 195
DHC LHD 1472 RHD 295

XK 140 OTS LHD 3283 RHD 74
FHC LHD 1966 RHD 843
DHC LHD 2311 RHD 480

XK 150 OTS LHD 2173 RHD 92
FHC LHD 3095 RHD 1369
DHC LHD 2010 RHD 663

 
XK 120 OTS with hood stowed - note cutaway doors etc

 
XK 120 OTS showing hood up and sidescreens in place.

 
XK 120 DHC - note height of doors winding windows and folding lined hood.

 
XK 120 DHC interior showing wood fascia and door cappings.

 
XK 120

OTS (Roadster) introduced 1948. Early cars had alloy body. Steel body introduced early 1950. 3.4 litre XK engine giving 160 bhp.

FHC (coupe) introduced 1951.

DHC (drophead) introduced 1953.

Special Equipment option (M specification in North America) with 180 bhp engine and wire wheels available from 1952.
XK 120 FHC - perhaps the prettiest of all XKs.

 















XK 140

The XK 140 replaced the XK 120 in late 1954. Visual differences were a new grille with eight vertical bars, full width front bumper and rear half bumpers, chrome strips on bonnet and boot, larger rear lights etc.

It featured rack and pinion steering and the engine was moved forward to give more interior space.

Special equipment option (MC specification in North America) with C Type head engine giving 210 bhp and wire wheels. Overdrive optional on all models and automatic transmission available on DHC and FHC.

Bodystyles and interior finish as XK 120 (but with extended cabin).
XK 120 FHC interior.

 
XK 140 OTS - note heavier grille and bumpers compared to 120
 

 
XK 140 DHC

 

 
 

 
XK 140 FHC - note enlarged cabin area as compared to XK 120 FHC

 
XK 140 DHC interior

 

XK 150

The XK 150 replaced the XK 140 in mid 1957. Visually the XK 150 looked more modern. The main differences were a raised wing line, a wider grille and a one piece windscreen.

Disc brakes were fitted to all four wheels and the interior was more spacious than the XK 140 but no longer had wood fascia and door cappings.

Almost all cars were to Special Equipment specification with 210 bhp and wire wheels. Overdrive and automatic transmission were optional.

Latterly the XK 150 was available with 3.8 litre engine (220 bhp) or with 3.4 or 3.8 litre engines to S specification (250 or 265 bhp). All S spec cars had manual + overdrive gearboxes. Original 3.8 litre S spec cars were built in very small numbers and are rare.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Twyford Moors XK Specialists         The XK Workshops                            South Lane                                 CLANFIELD                           Hampshire PO8 0RB                     England                                     Telephone: +44 (0)23 925 70900         Fax :  +44 (0)23 925 70899            Email: mail@jagxk.com

 

 
 

 





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XK150 OTS - for the first time on a roadster wind up windows are fitted.

 
XK 150 DHC - note extra cabin length compared to OTS above. Has folding and lined hood.

 
XK 150 interior - dash was now leather covered and door panels recessed to give more interior space

 
 
XK 150 FHC. This is an original 3.8 S spec car. Later cars like this one had larger tail lights with amber indicators.