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A Jaguar XK120 from 1948, a true automotive relic, was destroyed after a distracted driver invaded the opposite lane. Learn more about the accident and the impact on collectors and enthusiasts!
At the beginning of last month, an irresponsible driver caused a heartbreaking scene for classic car lovers. The rare Jaguar XK120 from 1948, one of the first models to come off the production line, was severely damaged in an accident in Austria.
Giuseppe Cerbone and Nicolo Bottini Bongrani, two Italian drivers, were preparing for the Mille Miglia when their vehicle was struck by a driver who, according to witnesses, was distracted by her phone.
The Incident Caused by the Driver
Cerbone and Bongrani were driving along the Schwail Landesstraße, a quiet road in Austria, when everything happened. According to the local publication Kronen Zeitung, a woman coming from the opposite direction swerved and collided head-on with the Jaguar, destroying its front end.
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In a video recorded shortly after the accident and posted on the social media platform X, the driver is seen apologizing to the pilots, saying “I’m sorry” in response to the inattentiveness accusations made by one of the Italians.
Despite the impressive impact of the accident, the drivers escaped with minor injuries, although they were seen with bloodied faces, which highlighted the severity of the impact.
What Is the Mille Miglia Warm-Up?
The Mille Miglia is a historic endurance race that takes place annually in Italy, attracting competitors and enthusiasts of vintage vehicles from around the world. However, before the main event, “warm-ups” are held in different countries.
These warm-ups serve for competitors to test their cars and improve their driving skills on various roads. Cerbone and Bongrani were participating in this type of event when the accident occurred, which will likely affect their participation in future warm-ups if the Jaguar is not recovered.
The Damage to the Jaguar XK120 from the Accident
The Jaguar XK120 of Cerbone and Bongrani suffered significant damage, mainly to the front end. The XK120 is known for being one of the most iconic models from Jaguar, being the first vehicle from the brand to reach a speed of 120 mph, which corresponds to its name.
In the case of the damaged Jaguar, there was an even more special detail: it was one of the 1948 models with an aluminum body, a rarity among XK120, which began to be produced in steel from 1950.
An XK120 in normal condition and without any accidents already has a high value in the collector’s market, hovering around US$ 100,000.
However, the early aluminum models, like those of Cerbone and Bongrani, can be worth up to three times more due to their rarity and unique design, as assessed by Hagerty, a renowned classic car insurance company.
The Future for the Drivers
With the accident, Cerbone and Bongrani must evaluate the possibilities of recovering or replacing the vehicle if they wish to compete in the Mille Miglia 2025, scheduled for June. Even if the car’s structure can be restored, the process may take months and require a significant investment.
However, with nine months still remaining until the race, the drivers have some time to explore alternatives.
As an alternative, they might try to acquire another XK120 or, if the vehicle is well insured, fund the restoration. This will be a challenging task, as repairing a car with such rarity and with the Mille Miglia history requires care and specific investments.
Although the incident did not result in serious injuries, the loss of a Jaguar XK120 from 1948 is significant for the automotive world.
The case reinforces the importance of avoiding distractions while driving, especially on roads where other drivers also depend on safe and attentive traffic.
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