Description
1. How much does a Jaguar cost…
This one has an interesting life and is hooked on the model, the one you’d need.
Owning a classic car demands a few sacrifices, and incidentally a bit of lucidity.
Passion often wins over reason and your greenbacks will wear thin, eventually and for good.
The rule is simple:
A Jaguar demands at least a fortune or mechanical prowess.
For a Ferrari, both are necessary.
Jaguar XK120
Let’s not go over what everyone already knows here.
The XK120 was the first mass-produced car to exceed 200 km/ h.
Within this shell lies the real first Jaguar engine, 6‑cylinder inline, double overhead cam, 3400cc,
Developed during the war by Sir William Lyons’s team—the English Enzo, it equipped the mythical Jaguars in 3. 4; 3. 8 and 4. 2 00cc (and even fiscal down-sizing to 2. 4cc).
Anyway, the rest is on Wikipedia.
A. This chassis in particular is interesting
1. It is original to France and never left the mainland.
2. First wheel spin in Marseille, never corroded, always in the sun and apparently no aftermath of any scores under the paint “Old English White.”
3. All the owners are recorded, real mileage is transparent.
4. The last of its owners who used it regularly went to lengths to polish the 1987‑2022 hot‑rod.
In 1988/ 1989, a full restoration of the vehicle with 29, 300 kilometres.
Brief accounting, based on preserved invoices
1988 – equivalent to €6, 321
1989 – equivalent to €14, 724
1990 – equivalent to €5, 168
1993 – equivalent to €4, 700
During this period the benefactor of this chassis covered 9, 700 km.
So in workshop costs the enthusiast shelled out €3. 28 per kilometre – plus fuel, insurance and vehicle depreciation.
He would have done better to go for a Concorde.
Having, with difficulty, learned to count he let more of his savings slip away between 1994 and 2022 – €13, 791 to cover 5, 835 modest, painful kilometres
That is: €2. 36 per thousand metres travelled.
2024 – A few works to get her running again and checks (€4, 000)
1. New clutch
2. Flywheel straightening
3. Crankshaft condition check, bearing replacement as a precaution
4. Gearbox check, seal replacements
5. All oil changes
6. Engine, brake, suspension adjustments
7. Dismantling/ Reassembly of floor and wing panel, inspection and paint
8. New exhaust pipes
9. Four new throttle bodies (the four)
10. New window seals
B. Additional information:
This 1954 model is a Drophead Coupé, wood interior, hood on a rollover frame and sliding windows.
The vehicle has an heritage certificate of course, given its French origin it is 100% guaranteed matching numbers.
The modifications are:
Disc brakes from XK150 (absolutely indispensable)
Fuel tank and stainless steel exhaust.
The cylinder head was changed in 1988 during the complete engine refurbishment.
C. First owner
A Marseille-based arms maker who made his fortune during the First World War.
Between the two world wars he became an important industrial player and even a car maker, now forgotten, (Leon Paulet), of which a few examples still exist.
Mr Paulet of the eponymous Marseille industrial company will be the first owner of this Jaguar XK-120.
After a quick Internet search you’ll understand that you’ll not find a better first owner.
