Fantasy Junction

Description

1953 Jaguar XK120 DHC
s/n 677496 Engine No. W8944-8
British Racing Green with Biscuit Connolly Leather

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. Though the roadster was the first model, the drophead coupe preserved the open air experience, but added the convenience and luxury of wood dashboard and door caps, windup windows, external door handles, quarter windows, and proper insulated top.

This particular example is a classic and correct Drop Head Coupe in excellent
condition. It was purchased by the current custodian in July of 1985 in southern California from the original owner’s estate whom had passed away in the 1970s and placed the car in storage, supporting the unusually low mileage shown. Now restored, it is painted the proper period British Racing Green and trimmed in imported Biscuit Connolly leather. The seams and stitching are of the proper size, the carpets and trim are matching and new. The beige top with not a glass window over new bows and powder-coated mechanism look and work properly.

The walnut woodwork is exceptional at the dashboard, the door tops and the convertible top. There paintwork is excellent. Save for the clock, the gauges are all original and have been cleaned and re-calibrated. The original mileage is believed to be 39,342. The car had 34,000 miles when the current owner bought it 24 years ago. In his care it is driven with some regularity which keeps the brake cylinders, bearings and battery lubricated and charged.

As part of the restoration the body was taken down to bare metal which is documented in photographs. There was a whisper of rust behind each door where the top lay down; the floor pans were ultimately replaced because of the pin holes; both front fenders lower than the bumpers did show signs of having bumped. The fill was removed and the multiple dimples were hammered back into place.

The restoration phase was done professionally by Alan Taylor of Escondido, California, a specialist in rare, pre-war, exotic and vintage collector cars many of which have been Pebble Beach winners. The body of this Jaguar was removed from the chassis, properly braced and sent off to the paint shop. The chassis was subsequently stripped of every item, brushed, painted and re-assembled with correct fasteners, grommets, bushings and fittings. Every component was examined and rebuilt from the dual master brake cylinders to the windshield wiper motor. The radiator and water pump were completely redone; the water pump impellors were powder coated in an effort to push more water, over-heating being an inherent problem with the 120’s. At this time, a correct and new wire harness and voltage regulator were installed.

The engine was removed, completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and appraised. It appeared to be in almost new condition. Some block “plugs” were replaced although they showed no sign of needing such. All mechanical bits and parts were cleaned and the engine was reassembled. To this day, the engine runs powerfully and smoothly, and burns nor drips virtually any oil whatsoever.

The original fuel tank was replaced as part of the restoration work as well. The porcelain headers were beautifully re-enameled and fitted to the engine. During this stage the owner opted to replaced the door hinges as they are prone to wear. The windshield glass was replaced but the side glass is still flawless and fits the top properly.

It is a numbers matching car with a wonderfully straight body and “close lines”. It is the first year of the Drop Head Coupe of which only 1767 were made and it is estimated there are less than 350 surviving examples. There are essentially no upgrades, modifications or changes to the car other than to change to wire wheels in an effort to help cool the brakes as was the custom. There are a new set of five “period” Michelin tires. The electric fuel pump has just been rebuilt and re-installed. The wire wheels have been tuned and balanced and are powder coated the proper body color. In person, it is truly beautiful and correct. Since restoration, the car has been in only two car shows. The first was a Concours d’Elegance for the Jaguar Club of North America in San Diego, California where it scored 96.14 (and Best in Class. The second show was at Deer Park, and it won best of class again.

Should it be of interest to the new owner, the current custodian has retained every Whitworth nut, bolt, screw, washer, grommet, bearing, switch, cap, spring, hose, fuse, cable, bulb and clamp that was removed from the car. Also available is the original windshield wipers and the old cable that opens the engine hood, and the original rubber parts that go over the foot pedals which show incredibly minor wear.

Restored and well sorted, this Jaguar 120 DHC will surely provide many years of motoring enjoyment to its next owner, just has it has done for the last 24 years.

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