When it comes to classic automobiles, Jaguar stands in a class by itself. Their gracious lines not only turns heads, but it is just as much a joy for those in the driver’s seat. The 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE by Pininfarina is absolutely no exception. The restoration of this exceptional Jaguar, undertaken by Classic Motor Cars, was recently unveiled at the Beach Concours d”Elegance in California to great fanfare.
Classic Motor Cars pulled out all the stops on this vehicle, putting in a whopping 6,725 man-hours restoring its completely bespoke bodywork by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina. Because it’s the only XK120 that Pininfarina has ever worked on, it’s one of the rarest Jaguars around.
The original automobile hit the market in the early 1950s, by order of Max Hoffman, a famous Austrian-born, New York-raised importer of luxury European cars. Hoffman was such a car enthusiast that his personal tastes and requests inspired the manufacture and refinement of several luxury automobiles, such as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL GullWing and the BMW 570. Yet it was on the Jaguar XK120 that Hoffman left an indelible imprint, inspiring Pininfarina to push the boundaries of its silhouette.
With Classic Motor Cars’ reimagining, the 1950s-era Jaguar has not only been restored to its former glory, but it’s been improved. Every element of the vehicle has been lovingly and painstakingly restored, from the body and structure to the engine, transmission, suspension, and braking system. The car is also a celebration of modern technology with 3D scanned and printed lights and rear window and expertly color matched exterior paint and interior leather to update its original look.