Winning formula

THE OLD saying goes that racing improves the breed. That may be less true these days, where somuch development work is done virtually, with the back-up of huge corporate resources, but back in the mid-20th century, it definitely rang true. Motorsport participation nurtured new tricks, principles and technologies that eventually filtered down to road cars. One could also add that racing improves sales – for notable achievements definitely attracted buyers as well. The international triumphs of Jaguar in events such as LeMans helped reinforce the firm’s credentials as a sports car manufacturer and drew customers to its cars. Success for Jaguar on the track also meant success for the marque in the showrooms.

For a marque such as Jaguar, proving what it could do was vital. Pre-war, the then S.S. Cars Ltd had produced some pretty spectacular-looking cars, such as the S.S. 100. However, whatever the considerable style, substance was often lacking. Post-war, with his company renamed Jaguar, boss (Sir) William Lyons was keen to prove his cars were more than just boulevard cruisers. Taking them racing was one way to do that.

Fortunately, with the XK 120, Jaguar had something capable of beating the best. Well, sort of. Jaguar’s gorgeous and svelte sports car, launched at the 1948 British Motor Show, had the looks