Clark Gable’s 1952 Jaguar Surfaces After 41 Years

It’s a car definitely fit for a movie star. One of four Jaguar XK120s originally owned by Clark Gable is being put up for sale for the first time since 1982.

In 1952, the battleship grey roadster was delivered to the Hollywood legend in Cornwall, U.K., where he was working on the film “Never Let Me Go.”

At the time the XK120 was the fastest production car in the world.

Gable ordered the XK120 with competition-style wire wheels and hood louvres, but also a rack for his golf clubs, according to RM Sotheby’s.

The XK120 is known in the collector car world as “MDU 420,” after its original registration number.

After filming wrapped up, he used it to tour Europe through to the end of 1953, then shipped it to California and sold it. The next owner kept it until 1982, which was followed by a trip to Switzerland via South Africa during which it twice traded hands.

That’s when the current owner’s father took possession of it in the city of St. Gallen.

It’s been there ever since and underwent a full restoration in 2011 that cost a reported US$500,000, complete with a new red Connolly leather interior.

The car is now coming up for auction at the RM Sotheby’s Villa Erbe event on May 20, with a pre-auction estimate that tops out at about that price.

That’s more than twice what classic car insurer Hagerty values a typical 1952 XK 120 in show car condition at, but this isn’t a typical XK 120.

“Despite being one of the most famous XK 120s in existence, ‘MDU 420’ could easily be enjoyed on a long trip across the European continent, just like Clark Gable did, or admired on any concours lawn for its outstanding condition and incredible beauty,” the RM Sotheby’s listing says.

“Few cars can claim to combine such charm, originality, condition and screen legend provenance, and ‘MDU 420’ will forever be one of them.” .

Editor - Information for this story sourced from Fox News and RM Sotheby’s.

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