2008-08-01 13:53:41 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2008-08-03 06:41:12 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2008-10-30 06:29:34 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2008-08-01 09:16:57 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 8/08
www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r

Auction description:
Sale 16250 - A Sale of Jaguar Motor Cars and Related Automobilia, 9 Aug 2008
XK60, Goodwood, Chichester, Sussex

Lot No: 207
The first left-hand drive
1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé
Registration no. NWY 790
Chassis no. 677001
Engine no. W-7036-8
Estimate: £50,000 - 60,000

Chassis number ‘677001’ is the first left-hand drive production XK120 drophead coupé manufactured, and was completed at the Browns Lane factory on 29th January 1953. This model is the rarest of the three XK120 variants (only 1,769 drophead coupés were built compared with 7,631 roadsters and 2,678 fixed-head coupés) and represents Jaguar’s classic XK sports car in its early, purest form. This particular car was delivered via the Hornburg Jaguar dealership on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, USA having been registered ‘NWY 790’ in the UK prior to despatch in April 1953. Re-imported to the UK in 1978, it had enjoyed only one previous owner in this country before being acquired by the current vendor in 1988. A very original car retaining matching numbers, ‘NWY 790’ has been treated to a long-term, bare metal restoration while in the vendor’s hands, a process that took from 1988 to 2000. The vendor advises us that original parts were refurbished and reused wherever possible during the car’s professional restoration by a specialist company. Mick Turley was entrusted with re-trimming the interior and hood, using the original frame for an excellent fit, while refurbishment of the wood veneers was carried out by a Rolls-Royce craftsman. A new fuel tank and sensor were fitted, as well as a new stainless-steel exhaust system. A jack and set of rear wheel spats is included in the sale, although the latter are neither painted nor fitted.
Regularly used and reliable, ‘NWY 790’ was driven to the Le Mans Classic event in 2006 and is presented in very good/excellent condition in every respect, having been kept inside a Carcoon. The car is offered with sundry restoration invoices; a quantity of expired MoTs; assorted restoration photographs; MoT/road fund licence to August 2009; and Swansea V5 registration document.

2008-10-30 05:03:47 | Robert van der Meulen writes:

The car is the first LHD DHC.

2026-09-26 13:01:19 | pauls writes:

Car now on BaT

bringatrailer.com/listing/1953-jaguar-xk120-35/

1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Seller: RCEurope

Location: Saumur, France

Chassis: 677001

38k Miles Shown

3.4-Liter Inline-Six

Four-Speed Manual Transmission

British Racing Green Paint

Suede Green Leather Upholstery

Black Convertible Top

16″ Steel Wheels

Vredestein Sprint Classic Tires

Private Party or Dealer: Dealer

Lot #266440

This 1953 Jaguar XK120 is a Drophead Coupe is a US-market example that was imported into the UK in 1978. Following an extended period of storage, the car was restored between 1998-2002 and was moved to France in 2008. The car is British Racing Green over Suede Green leather and equipped with a 3.4-liter inline-six, a four-speed manual transmission, a black convertible top, dual SU carburetors, electronic ignition, an uprated electric cooling fan, 16″ steel wheels, a split windshield, chrome bumpers, and burl wood interior trim. This XK120 is now offered in France by the selling dealer with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, an owner’s manual, service records, spare parts, and a French carte grise.

According to the provided Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, this example was manufactured on January 29, 1953, and represents the first left-hand-drive Drophead Coupe produced. It was dispatched to Hornburg Jaguar of Los Angeles, California, in April 1953, and it was imported to the UK in 1978.

The car is finished in British Racing Green and features a black convertible top. The body was removed from the frame and stripped to bare metal during the build, and the front end was repainted in 2020. Exterior details include a split windshield, Lucas headlamps, chrome bumpers with overriders, and a polished exhaust outlet. A color mismatch between the front fenders and the doors is noted by the selling dealer, along with various paint chips around the body.

Body-color 16″ steel wheels wear Jaguar-branded chrome hubcaps and bright trim rings, and they are mounted with 185-section Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. The car is equipped with an independent front suspension, semi-elliptical rear leaf springs, and Girling hydraulic rear shock absorbers. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drum brakes.

The cabin features bucket seats upholstered in Suede Green leather, which extends to the door panels, center console, and carpeting. Amenities include burl wood trim, lap belts, a heater, a passenger-side grab handle, a slide-out storage tray, door map pockets, and a dashboard-mounted rearview mirror.

The four-spoke steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset analog clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 38k miles, approximately 4k of which were added under current ownership.

The 3.4-liter inline-six features a replacement cylinder head and dual SU carburetors. An engine rebuild was performed by Francis Trichet of Poitiers, France, in July 2020, and the pistons, piston rings, bearings, valves, valve guides, valve springs, timing components, gaskets, and seals were replaced. The cylinder head and crankshaft were also machined at that time. An electronic 123ignition distributor and an uprated electric cooling fan are installed.

The engine block stamping is shown in the gallery and matches the engine number noted on the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, while the cylinder head stamping reads G5178-8.

The car is equipped with a four-speed manual transmission, and the clutch was replaced in 2020.

Extensive service records will accompany the car. The removed factory dynamo and the removed rear wheel spats are also said to be included.