A fastidiously restored example of the iconic XK120 open two seater
A sought-after late car from the last few hundred of XK120 production
Professionally restored in the UK over the last few years
Complete engine rebuild
Bare metal respray
Complete interior re-trim
Matching numbers engine
The Appeal
The XK120 is fascinating in so much as it was only ever intended to be a special production car designed to showcase the new XK engine which was ultimately destined for the MKVII saloon. As such a run of only 200 cars was originally envisaged and an artisanal aluminium over ash construction was chosen.
Such was the reaction to the car at the 1948 London Motor Show, that the limited production idea was soon discarded along with the aluminium and ash construction. A Jaguar sports car that could do over 120mph and initially sold for a mere £1,263 was a game changer for Jaguar and over 12,000 cars went on to be built between 1948 and 1954.
Like 85% of the 7,000 or so LHD open two seaters built, our car was originally destined for an overseas market and was delivered to its first owner in the USA in August 1954. Our car was bought in the USA by the current oner and re-imported to the UK in 2022. Following its return to the land of its birth, the car underwent a fastidious and thorough restoration to bring it up to the standard we see here today.
The XK120 features a fully restored and renewed interior
Trimmed in Cherry Red soft grained leather throughout
A restored interior that manages to maintain a great originality of specification
Whist the fixed head and drop head models featured wood veneer cappings to the interior, the open two seater, seen here, was fully leather trimmed. This was deemed more impervious to being caught in the odd rain shower.
Our car benefits from a fully restored and renewed interior in the period correct Cherry Red shade which contrasts so well with the cream exterior colourway. Everything in here has been professionally attended to and offers the lucky new owner an interior treatment that is simultaneously “as-new” and yet admirably original.
The seats are stitched into vertical, padded box pleats constrained between smooth bolsters top and bottom. A small central seat section creates a nominal three person bench which could be pressed into use in emergencies.
The dashboard is trimmed in the same grained leather with the bulk of the instruments and other controls occupying the centre third of the dash. This area is populated with white on black Smiths gauges monitoring the car’s performance and operation. This includes a big, miles per hour speedometer and matching tachometer. There are also, smaller, supplemental gauges for fuel level, amps, water temperature and oil pressure.
The deep woollen carpets are sympathetic replacements and, as such, in an immaculate condition. The short, four speed gear lever sits next to the chromed handbrake lever with leather gaiter. The door cards are also finished in grained leather and present in excellent condition throughout. Even the pedal rubbers have been replaced with period-correct replacements.
The deep boot is split horizontally into two separate compartments. The top of which is fully finished in woollen carpet that matches the cabin. The underside of the boot lid is also finished in cherry red leather. The lower compartment is finished in body coloured steel and houses the full-sized wire spare wheel and accompanying tools.
Our example is finished in Cream paintwork which was expertly applied during the restoration
The light colourway helps accentuate the sublime and curvy form of the XK120
The car sits on immaculately presented and period correct chromed wire wheels
The open two-seater configuration of XK120, seen here, presents the sublime design in its purest form. Unencumbered by bulky hoods and even external door handles, helps to emphasise the surprisingly modern lines of the car. Even the chromed bumpers are minimalised to preserve the purity with a two piece item at the front and just twin overriders at the rear.
The familiar nose of the car is surprisingly minimal for the period. Just the chromed, oval grill and single, wing mounted headlamps predominate. On the open two seater even the windscreen could be removed to allow for the fitment of simple aero screens.
Our car sits on period correct 16-inch, chromed and cross spoked wire wheels. These are affixed with the familiar, Jaguar inscribed, twin eared, Rudge Whitworth knock-off hubs. The pristine wheels are fitted with a matching set of new Westlake 215/70, radial type tyres.
It is clear from the exterior presentation of our car that it has enjoyed a highly professional restoration. The deep and evenly applied paintwork exudes a high shine. The panel gaps appear centimetre perfect which is always a sure sign of a quality restoration.
The XK engine was always considered by the “main event” of the XK120
A sophisticated William Heynes design with dual overhead camshafts
The powerful engine enabled the car to exceed the 120 (mph) of its name
William Heynes was Jaguar’s long-serving chief engineer and was responsible for the revolutionary XK power unit in the XK120 which was ultimately destined for the MKVII saloon. Heynes had experimented with both four cylinder and six-cylinder protypes in various capacities. The six-cylinder unit proved considerably smoother, however, and a 3.4L capacity was finally settled upon.
The XK I6 unit employed twin overhead camshafts, hemispherical combustion chambers, inclined valves and twin, side-draft SU carburettors. This advanced configuration helped deliver an impressive 160bhp – 180bhp and ensured that many contemporary road tests were able to achieve that all-important 120mph top speed. The 0-60mph time was widely accepted as around 10 seconds.
During the restoration, our car was treated to a full engine and gearbox rebuild and many mechanical components were restored, replaced or recommissioned as appropriate. As such the owner confirms that the car is an excellent mechanical order and is ready to drive away and enjoy by its lucky new owner.
The under-bonnet presentation is excellent throughout with all the correct data plates in place and the polished alloy sections of the engine looking appropriately lustrous and shiny. The underside of the car also looks fantastic and could well be in a better than new condition such is the apparent quality of the restoration.
The XK120 was a high-profile car from the get-go. The first production car was delivered personally by Sir William Lyons to no less a star than Clarke Gable. A series of well publicised competition successes and high-speed runs and records helped cement Jaguar’s reputation as sports car manufacturers par excellence.
Our car is a delightful example. It looks amazing and its “unadorned” specification strongly evokes the look of some of its race winning forebears. The depth and quality of the restoration appears to speak for itself and it is hard to imagine such a well-rounded and pristine example becoming available again anytime soon. Bid today to avoid missing out.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
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1954 Jaguar XK120 Open Two-Seater SE (LHD)
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