2026-06-08 13:26:19 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-jaguar-xk120-se-ots-lhd-nQm6Qn

1954 Jaguar XK120 SE OTS LHD

Colour Red

Odometer 25,000 Miles

Engine size 3800cc

Transmission Manual, 5 speed

Steering position Left Hand Drive

Fuel type Petrol

Seller Type Private

Town Villiers le Morhier

Country France

Very well-presented XK120 with older extensive restoration

Factory built XK120 ‘Special Equipment’ originally supplied with upgrades

Restoration included engine rebuild and chassis work

Uprated to 3.8L engine capacity and 5spd manual gearbox

Interior fully retrimmed in cream leather in 2023

Recent 50+ checkpoint inspection report carried out in spring 2026

This pretty USA LHD 1954 OTS’s condition was kept following the car’s extensive restoration 10 years ago, during which the body was restored, the car repainted and the cream interior retrimmed. We’re told that the engine was also fully rebuilt.

A useful JDHT certificate confirms that this car left the factory as a ‘Special Equipment’ model (also know as M suffix). These cars featured high-lift camshafts, a lightened flywheel, and a dual exhaust system. These improvements boosted the standard 160 bhp to roughly 180–190 bhp. The SE models also received uprated torsion bars and stiffer rear springs to improve handling and could be easily identified by their chrome wire wheels.

As you can see in the photos, the car presents at a very high level. Less obviously, it is fitted with a 3.8L engine and useful 5spd gearbox, both improvements that extend its performance and make it much more usable in modern traffic.

The condition is supported by a 50-point inspection report conducted in early 2026. A JDHT certificate also enables buyers to check the car’s provenance.

With all the recent work and that useful independent inspection, this is a very tidy and sorted late-model XK120 that warrants a closer look.

History and Paperwork

1954 model year Jaguar XK 120 OTS

JDHT certificate confirms build date, specification and original destination

Originally supplied to USA

Spent time in Germany before being registered in France in 2021

Registered in France with FFVE collection registration document

Current ownership since February 2021

Invoices for the restoration reported to be available

50-point Inspection report March–April 2026, available on request

Certificate of sale from 2021 purchase available showing mileage on purchase 

Jaguar Heritage certificate as shown 

Odometer shows 25,000 miles (not warranted)

Odometer reportedly replaced or gone around the clock so total figure is higher

No MOT required due to the car's 1954 registration date and FFVE collection status

Various invoices as shown 

VIN number S676056

Registration document 

The Condition

Restored around 10 years ago in red over light beige leather interior

Paintwork presents well with only very light points of age due to older repaint 

Paintwork slightly worn in places but nothing serious according to seller 

Very small minor dent on the driver's side door, in the curve of the door

Features bonnet strap and supplied with tonneau 

Chrome wire wheels in good order with quality Vredestein tyres fitted 

Light tan roof and side screens in good working order as shown

Soft top changed a few years ago, with side supports

Soft top mechanism reported to work well

Leather upholstery, all carpets, boot lining, and dashboard retrimmed in 2023

Beige leather in very good order with contrast ‘piping to door cards 

Front seats feature lap belts as shown 

Brown carpets match piping and present well as shown

Seat mounting brackets on the floor sandblasted and epoxy painted

The vendor rates the interior as like new

No corrosion reported according to seller 

The vendor describes the overall condition as good but not concours

The Mechanics

Factory supplied as a ‘SE’ M suffix car as detailed above 

Vendor reports car is fitted with 3,800cc XK straight-six engine

Upgraded to 5-speed manual gearbox fitted by specialist Cecil's Cars in 2021–2022

Gearbox replaces original 4-speed unit

Two new coupled batteries fitted

Brakes and tyres reported to be in good condition

Some oil seepage present, described by the vendor as normal for Jaguars of this era

The vendor reports that mechanically everything works correctly 

We are told that the car drives very well