Description
Essential reading: You'll find numerous recent photographs as well as thoroughly documented history and restoration work at - details above
An initial video is available here: - details above
Attention classic car enthusiasts: For sale, a sublime and unique 1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé in black. Through carefully considered aesthetic refinements, the already iconic lines of this Jaguar XK120 FHC have been, in my view, refined and elevated to perfection. Connoisseurs will immediately spot these subtle modifications, whilst enthusiasts will simply see pure, elegant and refined lines. That was precisely the aim: to make an already magnificent motor car even more beautiful.
This Jaguar was manufactured on 8 April 1952 and delivered new on 8 May 1952 to Paris through Charles Delacroix. It's a rare left-hand drive (LHD) model with a clear and traceable history spanning several decades. In addition to the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate, numerous historical documents are present, including old registration documents, sales contracts, invoices and restoration records from France.
The vehicle belonged for many years to a celebrated French collection in Strasbourg. Earlier sales documents mention previous owners Bernard Duhamel and Marcel Petitjean. Furthermore, period descriptions suggest a possible connection to the French film "Les Amants" released in 1958.
From a technical standpoint, the car underwent a major overhaul during winter 2025/ 2026. Approximately 500 hours of work were devoted to its recommissioning and optimisation. Among other things, the ignition, electrics, cooling system, carburettors, clutch, water pump and numerous seals and wear parts have been replaced or overhauled. The vehicle has also been fitted with a new radiator and a modern electric fuel pump to ensure perfectly reliable operation.
In place of the original engine, the car is now equipped with a more powerful Jaguar XK140 engine, featuring a "Type C" cylinder head and producing approximately 180 bhp! One of the highlights of this car lies in its two original H8 "Sandcast" carburettors, which are extremely rare and highly sought after by connoisseurs. This is complemented by a later Jaguar gearbox with largely synchronised ratios (2nd, 3rd and 4th gears), which considerably improves driving comfort.
Some technical specifications:
- Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé (left-hand drive / LHD)
- Year of manufacture: 1952
- Chassis number: 679599
- Displacement: 3, 442 cc
- 6-cylinder in-line engine with dual overhead camshafts
- XK140 engine with Type C cylinder head (Non Matching) producing approx. 180 bhp
- 4-speed manual gearbox
- Exterior colour: Black (Matching)
- Interior: Tan/ Cognac leather (Matching)
My personal assessment of condition (using the German rating system):
- Paint: 2
- Wooden trim: 2
- Interior leather: 1-
- Carpets: 1
- Headlining and rear shelf: 3
- Electrics: 1-
- Mechanics / Technical: 2-3
- Rust: 1
- Underside / Chassis: 2
Over the decades, this Jaguar has evolved through high-quality period Jaguar components. It thus combines the pure character of an XK120 with significantly improved driving pleasure and performance.
My offer is aimed at collectors, Jaguar enthusiasts and lovers of exceptional British sports cars with (racing) history.
The vehicle has German registration with a classic car logbook (H-Zulassung), valid MOT (TÜV), and is ready to take to the road. On site, in addition to a thorough test drive and detailed handover, a vehicle lift is of course at your disposal to inspect the underside of the car.
Interested? Simply send me a message and I'll get back to you promptly and with pleasure.
