[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-gandys-custom-jaguar-1954-xk120\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-gandys-custom-jaguar-1954-xk120\/","headline":"David Gandy’s custom Jaguar 1954 XK120","name":"David Gandy’s custom Jaguar 1954 XK120","description":"Here we take an in-depth look at David Gandy’s custom Jaguar 1954 XK120 You must really know you’ve hit the big time when one of the world’s best-loved carmakers agrees to build you a sports car built to your exact specifications. It’s something most of us can only dream of, but this exact scenario is now a reality for British-born male supermodel David Gandy. The face of Dolce & Gabbana fragrance and sometime underwear model for Marks and Spencer is […]","datePublished":"2019-06-28","dateModified":"2019-06-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Jaguar-Monaco-Drive-2019-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Jaguar-Monaco-Drive-2019-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-gandys-custom-jaguar-1954-xk120\/","about":["Cars","CLASSIC CARS","Jaguar","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":650,"keywords":["David Gandy","jaguar","Jaguar Classic","Jaguar XK120"],"articleBody":"Here we take an in-depth look at David Gandy’s custom Jaguar 1954 XK120You must really know you’ve hit the big time when one of the world’s best-loved carmakers agrees to build you a sports car built to your exact specifications.It’s something most of us can only dream of, but this exactscenario is now a reality for British-born male supermodel David Gandy.The face of Dolce & Gabbana fragrance and sometimeunderwear model for Marks and Spencer is known for his enthusiasm forautomobiles – he is an official reviewer for British GQ and Mayfair Times andreceived his racing licence in 2012.However, after he competed in the Mille Miglia trial inItaly twice as part of Team Jaguar, his love for the iconic brand was cementedand he commissioned them to design something of his very own.Now, that 11-month project has come to fruition after JaguarClassic completed a bespoke XK120 sports car restoration. Let’s take a closerlook at exactly what it all involved.The briefExperts at Jaguar’s Classic Works facility in Warwickshirewere tasked with ensuring Gandy’s car would be race-ready to participate inclassic motorsport events such as the Jaguar Classic Challenge.He also wanted it to be inspired by the original XK120Lightweight, as this is the vehicle he drove and loved at Mille Miglia.Consequently, the team managed to track down a suitable 1954 base car inCalifornia and had it shipped over to transform it into Gandy’s dream car.Under the bonnet and performanceThe project saw the team meticulously rebuilding the in-linesix-cylinder engine unit to upgrade it from its original 180hp to 225hp andensure it enhanced durability at high speeds.To prevent the core plugs dislodging during high-performancedriving, steel bracing was added for maximum performance.In addition, the exhaust system was upgraded from the usualsingle pipe to dual pipes – which presumably adds to that classic sound – and afaster-shifting racing-style gearbox was fitted to perform better when highlystressed.Braking won’t be a problem along that infamous Italian trackshould Gandy compete again either, as the front set-up now features disc brakeswith four-pot calipers.Stunning good looksOn the outside of this bespoke vehicle, the attention todetail has also been incredible. Gandy chose a classic black and the teamapplied four coats to ensure supreme depth of colour.There are further details like a racing-inspired flip-topfuel cap and twin aero screens too, again to pay homage to the XK120Lightweight the owner is so fond of.For the interior, aged saddle tan leather was selected andthe seats feature a lattice design finished off with aluminium as opposed tothe typical fabric.Since Gandy is more than 6ft tall, the Jaguar team allowedfor enhanced comfort by removing the two batteries that would normally sitbehind the driver’s seat and replacing them with a single one behind thepassenger seat.A smaller-than-usual steering wheel also accounts for theextra legroom necessary when you’re a top male model.Handover and reactionAll this attention to detail means it was no wonder theproject took a whopping 2,700 hours to complete – but Gandy’s reaction suggestsit was well worth the effort.“The team at Jaguar Classic have done such a remarkablejob engineering this car and executing everything that I asked for and it wasamazing to have such an in-depth involvement in its creation,” heenthused, adding that he intends to drive it both on-road and in competitions.Head of Jaguar Classic Calum McKechnie said both thedetailing and the bespoke design of the interior really set the car apart.The end result is so stunning that no one is going to knowwhether it’s the Jag or the man behind the wheel that turns heads as theycruise down the street together."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"David Gandy’s custom Jaguar 1954 XK120","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/david-gandys-custom-jaguar-1954-xk120\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]