2023-03-30 11:08:41 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-jaguar-xk120-open-two-seater-se-lhd-nk69jg

Seller's description:

1954 Jaguar XK120

Colour Cream

Odometer 58,240 Miles

Engine size 3400

Seller Type Private

Location London

Country United Kingdom

A fastidiously restored example of the iconic XK120 open two seater

A sought-after late car from the last few hundred of XK120 production

Professionally restored in the UK over the last few years

Complete engine rebuild

Bare metal respray

Complete interior re-trim

Matching numbers engine

Our car is chassis number 676184 with the final LHD OTS being number 676438 

The car was delivered as a new vehicle to the USA in August 1954

Distributed via Hornburg, Los Angeles to a Mr Leo Bourke Jr

The car was understood to have remained in the USA until 2022

At that point, the current owner bought the car

It was then re-imported to the UK

A fastidious and full professional restoration in the UK followed

Addressing every aspect of the car including engine and gearbox rebuilds

This car is complete with a good level of provenance providing paperwork

Includes the UK V5 registration document in the name of the owner

The last State of California Certificate of Title is also on hand

A good number of invoices and paperwork relating to the restoration are present

These include manifests of the large number of new and replacement parts

There are also photographs included from various points of the restoration process

A factory record Heritage Certificate from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust is included

In the UK, the car is currently registered as a Historic Vehicle

This qualifies the car as MOT and VED exempt in the United Kingdom

The Interior

The XK120 features a fully restored and renewed interior 

Trimmed in Cherry Red soft grained leather throughout

A restored interior that manages to maintain a great originality of specification

Whist the fixed head and drop head models featured wood veneer cappings to the interior, the open two seater, seen here, was fully leather trimmed. This was deemed more impervious to being caught in the odd rain shower. 

Our car benefits from a fully restored and renewed interior in the period correct Cherry Red shade which contrasts so well with the cream exterior colourway. Everything in here has been professionally attended to and offers the lucky new owner an interior treatment that is simultaneously “as-new” and yet admirably original.

The seats are stitched into vertical, padded box pleats constrained between smooth bolsters top and bottom. A small central seat section creates a nominal three person bench which could be pressed into use in emergencies.

The dashboard is trimmed in the same grained leather with the bulk of the instruments and other controls occupying the centre third of the dash. This area is populated with white on black Smiths gauges monitoring the car’s performance and operation. This includes a big, miles per hour speedometer and matching tachometer. There are also, smaller, supplemental gauges for fuel level, amps, water temperature and oil pressure.

The deep woollen carpets are sympathetic replacements and, as such, in an immaculate condition. The short, four speed gear lever sits next to the chromed handbrake lever with leather gaiter. The door cards are also finished in grained leather and present in excellent condition throughout. Even the pedal rubbers have been replaced with period-correct replacements.

The deep boot is split horizontally into two separate compartments. The top of which is fully finished in woollen carpet that matches the cabin. The underside of the boot lid is also finished in cherry red leather. The lower compartment is finished in body coloured steel and houses the full-sized wire spare wheel and accompanying tools.

The Exterior

Our example is finished in Cream paintwork which was expertly applied during the restoration

The light colourway helps accentuate the sublime and curvy form of the XK120

The car sits on immaculately presented and period correct chromed wire wheels

The open two-seater configuration of XK120, seen here, presents the sublime design in its purest form. Unencumbered by bulky hoods and even external door handles, helps to emphasise the surprisingly modern lines of the car. Even the chromed bumpers are minimalised to preserve the purity with a two piece item at the front and just twin overriders at the rear.

The familiar nose of the car is surprisingly minimal for the period. Just the chromed, oval grill and single, wing mounted headlamps predominate. On the open two seater even the windscreen could be removed to allow for the fitment of simple aero screens.

Our car sits on period correct 16-inch, chromed and cross spoked wire wheels. These are affixed with the familiar, Jaguar inscribed, twin eared, Rudge Whitworth knock-off hubs. The pristine wheels are fitted with a matching set of new Westlake 215/70, radial type tyres. 

It is clear from the exterior presentation of our car that it has enjoyed a highly professional restoration. The deep and evenly applied paintwork exudes a high shine. The panel gaps appear centimetre perfect which is always a sure sign of a quality restoration.

The Mechanics

The XK engine was always considered by the “main event” of the XK120

A sophisticated William Heynes design with dual overhead camshafts

The powerful engine enabled the car to exceed the 120 (mph) of its name

The XK I6 unit employed twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, inclined valves and twin, side-draft SU carburettors. This advanced configuration helped deliver an impressive 160bhp – 180bhp and ensured that many contemporary road tests were able to achieve that all-important 120mph top speed. The 0-60mph time was widely accepted as around 10 seconds.

During the restoration, our car was treated to a full engine and gearbox rebuild and many mechanical components were restored, replaced or recommissioned as appropriate. As such the owner confirms that the car is an excellent mechanical order and is ready to drive away and enjoy by its lucky new owner.

The under-bonnet presentation is excellent throughout with all the correct data plates in place and the polished alloy sections of the engine looking appropriately lustrous and shiny. The underside of the car also looks fantastic and could well be in a better than new condition such is the apparent quality of the restoration.