A 1954 Jaguar XK120M That Went From Roadster to Race Car

The 1954 Jaguar XK120M possesses a unique character with its exterior design, but the one above also contains a rich history due to its transformation from a regular roadster to a race-ready car. Tom Jaycox, Jr., a passionate car enthusiast and regular at the Vintage Sports Car Club of America acquired the model in the late 1960s and recreated the vehicle to mimic period factory racers, inspired by a XK120S at Silverstone. He began by removing all of the amenities like the windshield and carpets to lighten the weight, and replaced the seats with LT1 racing seats. Then, he modified the engine and fitted the car with aluminum-rimmed C-type wheels. With the consultation of British racing company Leyland Motors, the vehicle became a race-ready machine. Since then, this XK120M has gone through numerous modifications and restorations, but vintage details including a Moto-Lita handcrafted wooden steering wheel and well-worn interior remain, evoking the owner’s legacy and automobile’s rare past.