During World War 2 the Jaguar design team led by Sir William Lyons set to work on a brand new double overhead cam engine. As it neared completion it became obvious that a worthy successor to the SS100, powered by the new 160bhp engine, would be possible. The decision to build a sportscar to house the engine was given the go ahead.
Less than 2 months later, in October 1948, the Jaguar XK120 was unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show. The car was an instant success with the public and press alike hardly able to comprehend the availability of 120mph sportscar that was civilised at all speeds and cost only £998!
The Jaguar XK 120 evolved throughout its life with the advent, in 1954, of the XK 140 with 190bhp and (small) backseat and the final incarnation in 1957, the XK150, with disc brakes and a 210bhp engine option.
Production of all Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150 variants, dropheads, roadsters and fixed heads ceased in 1961.
The Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150 all came from the factory fitted with 600x16 cross ply vintage tyres. Luckily for owners of these fabulous cars today, there are more than enough options available in this size and it is no longer necessary to use van tyres or taxi tyres. We have superb supplies of vintage cross ply tyres and classic radial tyres suitable for use on the XK120, XK140 and XK150.
Of the cross ply tyres available the original 600H16 Dunlop RS5 would be the best option giving you perfect period looks negating the need to fit wider tyres with a chunky tread pattern that will make the steering feel uneccesarily heavy. Of course if you want the ultimate cross ply tyre then the fully road legal 600x16 Dunlop Racing tyre would be best in its class. The only radial tyre that would have been available in the 1950's is the 185SR16 Michelin X, this tyre will give light steering due to its design. Although with less sporting pretensions this tyre is a real bargain.
The Jaguar XK120, XK140 and XK150 were regarded as one of the best sportscars of their time and fitted the same size tyres as other top marques such as Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin. Due to the demand by so many classic cars for one tyre size Michelin have designed a new classic tyre to suit called the 600WR16 Pilote X (with a W(168mph) speed rating). This tyre has a period cross ply style tread pattern designed to move water quickly at high speed and grip tenaciously in all conditions! The Michelin Pilote X has slightly rounded sidewalls with period styled writing and cross ply style dimensions on the sidewalls all based on the best tyre technology currently available.
