This is the XK120 Supersonic, not like the Jaguar you know before
We continue the discussion about cars that carry the Supersonic coachwork design made by Ghia, after we previously discussed several car models from world-renowned automotive manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Fiat, and Chrysler who had the opportunity to wear this coachwork design. And on this occasion it was the turn of the Jaguar XK120 'Supersonic' figure that we discussed.
This is the 1952 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia, not like the Jaguar you know before. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
As we all know, the 'Supersonic' coachwork design was first proposed by Virgilio Conrero who's commissioned by a wealthy Swiss racing enthusiast named Robert Fehlmann to a well-known auto designer Giovanni Savonuzzi to be applied to the one-off racing car model named Conrero-tuned Alfa Romeo 1900 which later took part in racing on the Mille Miglia 1953 classic racing event.
The long nose and rounded rump are characteristic of the Supersonic style. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
The 'Supersonic' coachwork design can simply be described as a car with a long, sharp windshield; a curved nose that forms a straight belt line, ending with a small flaming tail fin intended to resemble an afterburner jet; and the cockpit is low as glass.
Since then, many of the best car models from world-renowned manufacturers have been sent to Ghia's headquarters in Turin to get a touch of the 'Supersonic' coachwork design, that also includes Jaguar. The first Jaguar car to apply this coachwork design was the Jaguar XK120 coupé owned by Joseph Malpelli, a wealthy Lyon-based millinery and lingerie businessman.
There’s a Nardi steering wheel inside the XK120 interior was retrimmed in beige leather by Ghia, rather than replaced. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
Since the Jaguar manufacturer would not supply the XK in the form of a chassis for coachbuilding, and then this particular project had to be built on the basis of a complete car. So Malpelli decided to turn his XK into Supersonic and even returned to depositing a second car conversion order with Ghia (some said that Charles Delecroix, a French Jaguar dealer at Royal Elysées, Paris also shipped the third and even the fourth conversion cars).
This is the 1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic powered by the sublime and much-loved XK straight-six engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
As well as reworking the body, the engine was also tuned by the Conrero to fit the triple Weber used in place of the standard SU carburetor. The first car was entirety completed in 1954. Then the Jaguar XK120 'Supersonic' was shown in Paris and London, as well as at several major concours d'élégance competitions including Montreux and Cannes.
Shortly thereafter the second car was finished, but appeared in a different style from the first car. Yes, the 2nd car comes in stylish details with a Ferrari-type eggcrate styled grille, prominent hood ridges and a silver roof two-tone paint scheme over a metallic blue main body without side vents.
On the 1954 Jaguar XK120 Supersonic by Ghia, where the Jaguar's typical wheels remain in the deep arches and has stylish, slender quad exhausts. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Kv4xeY)
Then a third car was built and upon completion, it was reportedly sold to Switzerland, but has since disappeared. Many automotive observers and historians believe that over the years there have been four Jaguar-based Supersonics built by Ghia. Yes, this is the XK120, but nothing like the Jaguar you know before.
So far, this beautiful car, besides having appeared in many exhibition events in the world, has also experienced many changes in ownership and the process of restoration. And its last remarkable appearance in public was at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2019 event.
Yes, when the others started to look old and out of date, the 1953 Savonuzzi design still looked beautiful when it was installed on the Cobra 427 ten years later. Indeed, none matched the spectacular Supersonic. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSIC AND SPORTS CAR ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
