Celebrates the 60th anniversary of the XK 120 speed record
Over the weekend, Jaguar celebrated
Norman Dewis' 1953 world record of running the flying mile at an average speed of 172.4 mph (277 km/h) in a modified XK 120.
To commemorate the event, Jaguar returned to Jabbeke, Belgium to recreate the attempt in an F-Type V8 S. Driven by former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Andy Wallace, the F-Type was able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of almost 180 mph (289 km/h).
According to Jaguar's Global Brand Director Adrian Hallmark, “The original Jabbeke sprint runs marked the start of an exciting chapter in our history. The XK 120 combined seductive design and innovative technologies with incredible sporting performance, as Norman Dewis proved on that famous day in 1953. Those core elements of our DNA are embodied in the new Jaguar F-TYPE, and I can think of no more fitting way to pay tribute to the achievement of one of our most famous roadsters than to return to Jabbeke to celebrate the successful test and set a new Jaguar benchmark.”
To further highlight the F-Type's ancestry, several historic models - including an XK 120, C-type, D-type and E-type - joined two F-Types in a convoy to the Geneva Motor Show.
Source: Jaguar via Worldcarfans
