Author Richard Heseltine untangles the Ghia Jaguar XK120 Supersonic's
complicated backstory of British design brilliance and Italian design
artistry. He reveals how Ghia wowed the car world with its jet-age
styling, and introduces several fascinating characters whose names have
peppered the post-war story of Italian car design, engineering and
racing. Readers will discover how the original Supersonic was the work
of Giovanni Sovanuzzi - the genius designer-engineer famous for the
Cisitalia 202. Meanwhile, race team legend Virgilio Conrero was first to
put fire in the Supersonic's belly, while fiery Ghia chief Luigi Segre
used the car to woo North America. In-depth background on Carrozzeria
Ghia examines the Italian coachbuilder's efforts to spread across Europe
and 'crack' the US market. The birth of Supersonic design as an Alfa
Romeo-powered GT is covered in great detail, and a fascinating line-up
of other Italian-bodied Jaguar XK sports cars are examined and
illustrated, as a way to compare and contrast the Supersonic with the
work of other accomplished Italian designers. The history of chassis
number 679768, is chronicled, recounting its elusive first owner, its
lengthy periods hidden from public view, and its status today as the
prized centrepiece in a private collection. Stunning contemporary
photography of the car is mixed with rare and fascinating archive
images.
