Jaguar XK 120 C (C-Type) (1953)

The Suffolk C-type Jaguar is an authentic reproduction, with only concessions made where most desirable to improve, reliablility, performance, driving experience and comfort. The technology used is all the same as the original car, but improved where sympathetic to the original design and features of the Jaguar originals.

The coachwork is completely accurate and 100% true to the original shape, having been copied exactly of undamaged bodywork of car XKC039, which clothes the meticulously jig manufactured and MIG welded seamless CDS tubular space frame chassis - this is a copy of the original with the exception of a few details and aforementioned adjustments, to make the car more effective and usable than in 1951. The chassis runs on all Jaguar mechanical parts.

The legendary and much developed XK engine, from the original 160BHP 3.4 engine, to a screaming 310BHP fast road 4.2, we can cater for any desire. Torsion bar front suspension and quick rack steering perfectly capture the feel of an original C-type, and a Jaguar 4 speed all-synchromesh gearbox with overdrive transmits power to the Jaguar Salisbury 4HA axle, mounted via trailing arms and top links, secured laterally by a panhard rod – all based on the original parts, but now adjustable via rose joints, and sprung by coil over adjustable damper suspension.

When we build a Suffolk C-type, we always build the car to a bespoke customer specification, meaning that when you order a car, you can choose from an infinite number of paint and trim combinations, as well as a wide range of optional equipment and special order items, to create a car that is truly one of a kind.

Alternatively, you may choose to create an exact replication of a particular original C-type, such as a 1953 Le Mans car, one of the Ecurie Ecosse vehicles, or an early car with their quirky details. If you do so, we have a wealth of books, information and stored material to help do so as accurately as possible, and can even track down registration numbers which are close in sequence to those worn in period.

A Suffolk C-type performs with all the excitement and pure driving performance that delivered the car to it’s numerous competition wins in the 50s, contributing to the legendary status the brand carries today.

We have improved the suspension performance and drivability under a variety of conditions, we have also improved the driver cabin space to accommodate drivers up to 6’ 4” – without altering the dimensions of the car, ensuring it is exactly the same dimension as the original, just as designed by Malcolm Sayer.

A Suffolk C-type owner can expect

The car can be specified to order in LHD or RHD and can be ordered with manual or automatic transmissions. The engine can also be specified with different capacities and power outputs.

Three main variations of C-type were built by Jaguar Cars. The earliest cars from XKC001-003 which had the 4 large side louvres and both driver and passenger doors, then XKC004-050 which had numerous individual specifications but typically had 2 x SU carburettors, one door, and no bonnet air scoop.

The XKC050-053 was made with lighter gauge aluminium bodywork, a rubber bag fuel tank, suspended from a twin rib or spine along the rear bodywork, with an inspection plate 1953 car had 3 Weber 45DCO3 Carburettors and an air scoop, feeding into an air box mounted to the carburettors.

Engine sizes can be exactly as the original 3.4 litres. However the 3.8, or more commonly the 4.2 litre variants can be specified - all in various stages of tune.

Gearbox is usually the Jaguar Short Compact 4-speed with overdrive but 5 speed and automatic transmissions are also available. We can also supply Moss gearboxes with or without overdrive.

Our car is dimensionally completely accurate having been especially moulded off C-type 039 with its undamaged original Jaguar works alloy body. Almost all the original Jaguar C-types have had replacement bonnets and other body parts in the past 50 years and we are fortunate to have totally correct body moulds to work from.

Bodywork is GRP with extensive alloy panelling, the GRP gives us an entirely consistent and accurate bodywork with the considerable advantage of great strength. By the time the body is finished, it is around 45% aluminium – even on what we refer to as our GRP bodied C-type.

The doors are made as a 2 part GRP moulding which is bonded and joined whilst fitted into the door aperture that it will live in, to ensure that adherence to our precise standards of panel alignment and shut lines are kept within tolerance.

Every effort is made to make the Suffolk C-Type Jaguar as close to the original cars as possible. The devil is in the detail and we believe we have created an excellent reproduction.

Typically, commissioning your Suffolk C-type Jaguar would start with a works visit to Woodbridge to inspect our facilities, meet the team, see what we do and have a demonstration of one of our cars.

Body type
2 seater Sports
Number of doors
1 or 2
Designer
Malcolm Sayer
Dimensions & Weights

mm
inches

Wheelbase
2420
95.25

Track (front)
1350
53.125

Track (rear)
1350
53.125

Length
3999.5
157.5

Width
1638
64.5

Height
1080
42.5

Ground clearance
140
5.5

Kerb weight
960 kg
2112 lb

Weight distribution
54F 46R
fuel tank capacity
88 litres
19.5 UK Gal
22 US Gal
Engine                                                      3.4                        3.8                      4.2
Engine manufacturer
Jaguar
Engine code
XK
Cylinders
Straight 6
Capacity
3.4 litre                       3.8 litre                       4.2
3442 cc                      3781 cc                     4235 cc


Bore × Stroke
83 × 106 mm             87 x 106 mm              92.07 x 106 mm
3.27 × 4.17 in            3.4 x 4.17 in                3.6 x 4.17 in
Bore/stroke ratio
0.78                           0.82                            0.87
Valve gear
Double overhead camshaft (DOHC)
2 valves per cylinder
12 valves in total
Maximum power output
160BHP @ 5500RPM (fast road 3.4) – 310BHP @ 5500RPM (super fast road 4.2)
Specific output
46.5 – 73.2 bhp/litre


Maximum torque
180ft·lb at 3900 rpm – 334ft.lb at 3900RPM
Compression ratio
9:1
Fuel system
2 SU HD8 carburettors or 3 Weber 45 DCOE carburettors
Facet Electronic fuel pump and glass filter bowl
Exhaust system
Bespoke TIG welded stainless steel exhaust system to copy original C-type with side exit silencer
Maximum RPM
5500
Performance
Acceleration 0-60mph
6 s (for 250BHP 4.2 with 3.31:1 final drive)


Acceleration 0- 160km/h (100mph)
12.5 s (for 250BHP 4.2 with 3.31:1 final drive)


Standing quarter-mile
13.6 s (for 250BHP 4.2 with 3.31:1 final drive)


Maximum speed
179MPH at 5500RPM (overdrive Top with 3.31:1 final drive)
Power-to-weight ratio

166.6 - 332.9 bhp/tonne (1000 kg)


Chassis
Design
C-type spaceframe chassis, based on 1951 Jaguar Cars designs. Material of CDS Seamless 16SWG mild steel tubing and folded mild steel
Engine position
Front mid-engine
Engine layout
Longitudinal
Drive wheels
Rear wheel drive
Steering
Bespoke rack and pinion steering like original C-type (LHD or RHD)
Turns lock-to-lock
2.5
Turning circle
9.40 m
Front suspension
Jaguar dual unequal length wishbones with adjustable torsion bar and dampers
Rear suspension
C-type lower trailing arms, top links and panhard rod (5-link) fully adjustable by rose joints. Coil over adjustable damper with adjustable spring perches
Wheel size front
5j x 16” 60-spoke wire wheel – standard silver (colours optional)
Wheel size rear
5j x 16” 60-spoke wire wheel – standard silver (colours optional)
Tyres front
Blockley high performance radial 185 VR 16” with tubes
Tyres rear
Blockley high performance radial 185 VR 16” with tubes
Brakes F/R
Hydraulic - 3 piston calipers (F) and 2 piston clipers with cable mechanical handbrake (R)
Front brake diameter
280mm solid disc
Rear brake diameter
288mm solid disc
Gearbox
Jaguar all synchromesh 4-speed manual with overdrive – 5-speed manual and automatic optional
Top gear ratio
1:1
Axle
Jaguar Mk2 Salisbury 4HA modified to centralise input flange with shortened casing and bespoke halfshafts to correct C-type width and C-type mounting brackets
Final drive ratio
3.31:1 – other ratios available. Open or Powerlock type
Bodywork and Interior fittings

Body fittings
Chromed brass C-type grille, Lucas P700 lights, with Perspex headlamp covers, XK120 indicator fittings in front lights.
Pair of chromed 90° turn handles and pair of leather straps to secure bonnet.
Lexan visor windscreen with aluminium mounting plinth, Pair of Raydot mirrors in silver.
Single door with C-type aluminium hinges and internal latch.
Aluminium Le Mans flip up fuel filler cap, pair of single red rear lights mounted to rear body. Black painted brass Lucas number plate lamp, clear indicators mounted on aluminium bracket below rear wings. Spare wheel and tool storage in compartment, removable on 2 Dzus fasteners on rear of car
Interior Fittings
Pair of handmade C-type pattern bucket seats, with improved comfort and space, trimmed in finest leather, Transmission tunnel trimmed in bound Hardura with leather gearstick and handbrake gaiters, fitted with 3-point adjustable harnesses.
Lockable side compartments trimmed in Hardura
Aluminium floorpans, side panels, rear panels and dashboard
Gauge pod trimmed in black vinyl and fitted with C-type 160MPH speedometer, counter-clockwise tachometer, dual oil pressure and water temperature gauge, ammeter and fuel gauge.
Lucas ignition key, starter button and horn button, hidden 12V accessory socket. 3 aluminium pull switches for driving lights on aluminium panel, Chrome passenger grab handle mounted on passenger dashboard, with black brass Lucas Map light.
on passenger dashboard. Driver Side panel fitted with headlamp dip switch, fuel pump switch, auxiliary light switch, indicator switch and overdrive switch.