The Targa Florio model was aimed at being a slightly lower cost model, with a similar parallel-tube chassis to the Le Mans Rep Mk II, clothed in a sporty closed-wheel body. The price difference ended up being minimal, but Targa Florios were available in Turismo (100 bhp) and Gran Sport (125 bhp) specifications. Despite the lower price, the Targa Florio was still double the price of a Jaguar XK120 Roadster and resulting demand meant that only 15 examples were built, 10 of which were the sportier Mk1s.
Targa Florio’s were produced in two body styles, the earlier and more desirable is the ‘short tail’ body with the unmistakeable Frazer Nash grille, whilst the later cars received longer bodies with an open nose, essentially a roofless Le Mans Coupe. As a testament to the Frazer Nash build quality and desirability, the vast majority of the 85 post-war cars still exist today.
Story by RM Sotheby’s
