Fantasy Junction

Description

1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe
s/n 679471 engine no. W4435-8
Pastel Green Metallic with Suede Green Leather Interior

Following World War II, the economically battered United Kingdom staggered back into the global industrial market by hurriedly rushing warmed over prewar cars into production. Thus, the entirely new and thoroughly modern XK 120 was a genuinely earth-shattering car, a truly contemporary and avant-garde car to boost the morale of Britons, and demonstrate to the world the resiliency of the United Kingdom. Introduced in 1948 as a concept car to showcase Jaguar`s remarkable new twin-cam inline-6 cylinder engine, the XK 120 was never intended to go into full scale production. However, its breathtaking, swoopy, and beautiful styling as well as its genuine 120 mph performance (not to mention the surprisingly affordable price) captured the imagination of the public, and the largely hand-built aluminum-bodied car was rushed into limited production. Jaguar was selling as many as they could make, so the car was reengineered as necessary to switch to mass production with steel bodies. A closed head variant of the car was also introduced, with a wood dashboard and a striking roofline supposedly inspired by William Lyons’ fondness for the Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux.

This particular car is an early example that was purchased new by an airline pilot who kept the car for nearly sixty years until 2010. The car has unique early features including no bolts at the front of the cam covers and the slightly different style of dash that was He had parked the car in 1967 and when the restoration was started, the car was exceptionally solid, unmolested, and correct. Jon Pollack performed an award-winning restoration on the car in its original color combination. It is a matching numbers example and has a few functional upgrades including a 5-speed transmission, front disc brakes, aluminum radiator (painted black), and light flywheel. The original 4-speed transmission and front drum brakes are included with the car. The restoration was painstakingly completed, and the original color carefully duplicated using color matching to the original unfaded paint found under the tail lamp seals. Every system of the car was included in the restoration, and the car went on to win Best Jaguar at the Beverly Hills Concours d’Elegance.

The car is in exceptional freshly-restored condition. The body is extremely straight and has excellent gaps. The paintwork was executed to extremely high standards and is free of significant blemishes. The chrome is excellent, as are the lamps, which are correct Lucas tribar items. The car is equipped with auxiliary fog lamps. The appearance of the car is particularly elegant thanks to the fitment of disc wheels and spats, which gives a wonderful period aesthetic while reinforcing the correctness of the presentation of this car.

The interior is equally nice, with excellent leather, wood, and carpets, all in essentially unmarked and show-ready condition. The correct high quality material and finishes were employed throughout, and the switches and instruments are excellent and correct as well. The trunk was comprehensively and correctly restored, with the correct liner and lamp to the inside of the lid, as well as the original factory air pump and jack. The carpeting was redone, and the spare compartment and spare were also restored.

The engine compartment was beautifully restored as well, and remains sparkling. The wiring, inner fenders, engine, ancillaries and hardware are all spotless and fully detailed. The engine compartment is extremely correct, down to the braided covering on the wires. An electric fan has been added to the radiator. The grease gun is in place on the inner fender.

This is a truly exceptional fixed head coupe XK120. It would be difficult to imagine a finer example, both in terms of provenance and condition. Finished in its stunning original color combination, this car is a genuinely outstanding example that is ready for shows, and thanks to its thoughtful but subtle mechanical updates, would be an exceptional touring or event car. It comes with its original front brakes, 4-speed transmission, reprinted owner’s manual, jack, spare, grease gun, and air pump. Mr. Pollock has indicated that an electronic file of photographs from the restoration is also available.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608