[xk] To OTS, or not OTS, that is the question? - reply

XK
1

3/12/02

Hi Bob Oates, Larry Jackson & all – my original JAGUAR Mark VII and XK120
Service Manual, page A.16, Plate A.7, shows a portrait of the XK120 Super
Sports Model (the open two-seater, or OTS). Jaguar never used this
terminology for the XK120, preferring (in the Service Manual) to call this
model “Super Sport.”

Interestingly, the Jaguar Clubs of North America’s 1997 6th Reordered
Edition of the Official JCNA Concours d’ Elegance Rules and Judges’
Instruction Manual (Rule Book), Appendices Page 1, lists:

Jaguar XK120 open 2-seater, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1948, Years
Current 1949-1954
Jaguar XK120 fixed-head coupe, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1951, Years
Current 1951-1954
Jaguar XK120C (C-type), 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1951, Years Current
1951-1953
Jaguar XK120 drophead coupe, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1953, Years
Current 1953-1954
Jaguar XK140 fhc/dhc/open, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1955, Years Current
1955-1957
Jaguar XK150 fhc/dhc, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1957, Years Current
1957-1961
Jaguar XK150 open 2-seater, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1958, Years
Current 1958-1961
Jaguar XK150S fhc/dhc.open, 3442 cc, Public Announcement 1958, Years
Current 1958-1961
Jaguar XK150 fhc/dhc/open, 3781 cc, Public Announcement 1959, Years Current
1959-1961
Jaguar XK150S fhc/dhc/open, 3781 cc, Public Announcement 1959, Years
Current 1959-1961

Because JCNA recognizes this terminology (OTS or open two-seater, FHC or
fixed-head coupe, and DHC or drophead coupe), I’ll stay with this
terminology. Bob, I agree with your factory publication (1958) using the
term “roadster,” but I expect Jaguar’s use of this terminology was strictly
limited to this one factory publication. All – Isn’t it kinda NEAT now,
41-50 years on, to get into this long-after-the-fact discussion of
terminologies! Take care – Larry Martz*****
In a message dated 3/11/02 3:31:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, rlo1@citynet.net
writes: Larry Martz & Others - Jaguar did use the term “roadster” in
conjunction
with the XK 150. In my XK literature collection, a common factory issued
(March 1958) publication uses the term throughout the folder.

Bob Oates

The names for the original XK120s were “sports car” or “Jaguar super sports”
which are seen used in many car write ups, as evidenced in the early Type XK
120 brochures.
As a matter of fact, the car is officially listed in the brochures as “The
Jaguar XK Super Sports Two-Seater”.
I imagine the “Open Two-Seater” designation came after the later Fixed Head
Coupes and Drop-Head Coupes were produced.

Larry J

2

Hi Larry - Yes, I certainly do agree it is neat that we’re discussing
terminology used with these cars after all these years. But I’m really
starting to get too long in the tooth to quibble about some of this stuff,
though. On the other hand, though, I guess this keeps us on our toes. If
everything was cut and dry and accurate, it would take the fun out of
communicating about these things.

Take care, too.

Bob O

(Incidentally, I’ll see if I can find “roadster” used in other factory
literature discussing the 150.)

Because JCNA recognizes this terminology (OTS or open two-seater, FHC or
fixed-head coupe, and DHC or drophead coupe), I’ll stay with this
terminology. Bob, I agree with your factory publication (1958) using the
term “roadster,” but I expect Jaguar’s use of this terminology was
strictly> limited to this one factory publication. All – Isn’t it kinda NEAT now,
41-50 years on, to get into this long-after-the-fact discussion of
terminologies! Take care – Larry Martz