Jaguar XK 120 that broke the land speed in 1953 at 172 mph

Built in 1953 to set the world record for fastest vehicle over a full mile, the heavily modified Jaguar XK 120 was built to cut through the wind and stick to the ground. Flat panels were bolted to the underside of the car and over the passenger seat to reduce drag. A bubble-like Lucite canopy from a glider was fitted to the car to enable driver Norman Dewis to see. He also had to remove the car’s seat to fit inside the cockpit, and instead ran the car sitting on pads.

It took 18 months and over 6,000 hours to restore the Jaguar, said Los Angeles-based co-owner Jeff Lotman. He’s entertaining any offer above $3 million for the car.   (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)

The car was shown in Carmel at the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering.  (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)