There must have been reasons, because this post presents four examples of such modifications. Each of the four cars shown below received a body by a non-British coach builder. One was designed by an American and was based on the Jaguar XK140, a facelifted XK120.
In my opinion, none of the four designs was as interesting as the original XK120. Their main justification might have been that their new bodies were more "modern" or "fashionable" than the production Jag. Also, they might have been more practical regarding space utilization and ergonomic considerations.
Early 120s had roadster bodies. The rear fender is spatted, the front end has carryover prewar features including a narrow, vertical grille. Headlights are set close to it, rather than being mounted atop the fenders.
The fixed head coupe body was prototyped in 1951. The tucked-in aft shape of the roofline was a carryover from Jaguar sedan designs.
Designed and built by Gebrüder Beutler of Thun, Switzerland, this strikes me as being the most attractive of the four.
In line with early 1950s Italian style, but poorly executed. There is a curious, subtle bulge on the side abaft of the front wheel opening. The grille is not Jaguar-like.
Not one of the maestro's better efforts. The grille is Jaguar-like. Headlights are adjacent, but with awkward mountings. The two-segment bumper shouldn't have those extensions bending upwards.
Famed industrial designed Raymond Loewy commissioned several custom bodies during his career. This design offers no hint that it is a Jaguar.
1 comment:
Beutler used a very similar body on a series of Volkswagen based cars in the late 50's, the front end was much more pleasing on the VWs than this Jaguar. Both Pininfarina bodies look heavy, especially at the rear, and although they're arguably more modern don't evoke the graceful motion of the original. The Loewy car... well, I'm sure you've seen other cars Loewy had coach built for his personal use and he certainly leaned toward the extravagant. Interesting link you made between Exner's designs, as he may still have been on Loewy's staff at that time, so he may have had a hand in the design.
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