Comprehensive body-off two year restoration with bodywork by Leaping Cats, paint by Peacocks and 5 speed gearbox and parts including disc brakes by Guy Broad
Attractive factory-correct black over red colour scheme
Older restoration but still presents in exceptional condition indicating careful use
Original matching numbers car with fully rebuilt 3.4litre XK engine
Fascinating history file, including time as a track racer and barn find, apparently documented by Classic & Sports Car magazine
Still wearing its original 1954 registration number
56th from last XK120 DHC built before production ceased
One of only 295 XK120s built
Desirable bucket seats enable taller and larger drivers to enjoy this highly useable classic Jaguar
The Appeal
Before the E Type there was the original XK, a car whose smooth, curvaceous and aerodynamic lines caused a post-war sensation when it hit showrooms in 1948. Its all-new XK engine and claimed 120mph top speed signalled Jaguar’s confidence and intent.
Less than 300 Drop Head Coupe XK120s left the factory during 1953 and 1954. This beautiful XK120 is one of the last built and was comprehensively restored by marque specialist Leaping Cats to its original black over red factory specification. The engine has also been fully rebuilt and it is fitted with a Broadsport 5spd gearbox conversion. Other useful upgrades include those stylish bucket seats which enable taller drivers to enjoy the multifold delights of XK120 motoring.
XK120s are not just gorgeous, but practicality and excellent parts supply also make them very useable classics, particularly with the enhancements of this car. This one looks absolutely ready to show or enjoy on a European classic car tour. HinokMf2VQIpJbaVwRHVtWJXTU6vIPQCIFGBFO8O.jpg1.49 MB
The History And Paperwork
Manufactured on 16th April 1954
Supplied to Jaguar dealer Rossleigh in Edinburgh on 29th April 1954, one of only two DHCs supplied to Scotland during 1954
Registered on 4th May 1954
Drop Head Coupe XK120 only for less than two years and only 295 built
Used for competition in the late 1960s before being barn stored between 1972 and 2011
Restored over two years from 2011 and re-registered with the DVLA in the same year
Two keys
Subject of a Classic & Sports Car magazine article covering its remarkable discovery and restoration
Remarkable history file including photographic record of restoration and historic photos from the car’s unusual and interesting history
Jaguar Heritage certificate included with the car confirming its body, chassis, engine and gearbox numbers and its original colour scheme, to which it has been restored
Jaguar Heritage Trust chassis records confirm that this is a 1954 DHC and the 56th from last car built before XK120 production ended
Duplicate of original 1954 registration document included with car
Factory correct red leather interior with matching carpets, all in excellent condition
Highly original car including the beautiful four spoke steering wheel
Extensive walnut veneers rejuvenated during comprehensive restoration process
Boot covering and boards in excellent condition
Attractive hand-turned aluminium gear knob
Stylish bucket seats enable larger and taller drivers to enjoy the delights of this gorgeous car
The XK120 represented a major step change from the pre-war SS100 and nowhere is this more obvious than in the interior, particularly the wood-lined ones of Drop Head Coupes like this car. Jaguar was aiming high and succeeded: movie stars like Clark Gable were among the first buyers to be seduced by the XK120’s rakish lines and luxurious interior.
The interior of this car has been carefully restored by marque specialist Suffolk and Turley to the specification detailed in the Jaguar Heritage Certificate that accompanies this car. The red leather and matching carpets work particularly well with the black bodywork and the extensive walnut veneers. Although it is an older restoration everything has held up remarkably well, likely evidence of its low owners who have used it sparingly. The details, like the green baize in the glovebox hint at the quality of the work.
The dashboard veneers are in very good condition, just some very light scratches a very small crack on the surround to the speedometer to note.
The bucket seats are in very good, unmarked condition. These are a useful addition to this XK120 because they enable taller drivers – the Seller is 6ft 3in – to enjoy these cars in comfort. Which is good news as they are superb long distance GT cars, ideal for European classic rallies.
The carpets are in very good condition.
The headlining on the high quality roof is torn on each edge behind the seats. It is not unsightly – likely this car will mostly be used with the top down – but may benefit from rectification. There is a body colour tonneau cover.7dUiH0sVM2klbpoNpCRBMSTqukUeopF7yJFenX8Y.jpg907.72 KB
The Exterior
Very high quality paintwork part of the body-off restoration by Leaping Cats
Restoration included fitting new rear end panelwork
Photographic record of the restoration with the car
Beautiful black wire wheels in excellent unmarked condition
This car appears to have been fitted with spats earlier in its life but has been neatly converted to open rear wheels to enable the wire wheels to be fitted
Attractive contrasting red roof is not factory correct (the original was black) but arguably works better with the colour scheme
Quality vintage Blockley 16inch tyres fitted in good condition with good tread
Original chrome that has been professionally refurbished
This late XK120 was one of only two sold into Scotland in 1954 and, after an eventful life, was returned to its factory black paint finish as part of its two year restoration from 2011. Its history file indicates that it has been painted several colours in the intervening years and that it left the factory with steel wheels and rear spats.
It has led a fascinating life that has included time as a competition car before being left in a barn from 1972 to 2011. The then owner recovered it and had it restored over two years by Leaping Cats, the renowned XK model specialist. This extensive body-off work included fitting an entirely new rear end to the car and is documented through photographs in the history file.
As an older restoration the car has held up remarkably well. The paint has been applied to a very high standard and remains virtually unblemished, clear evidence of careful owners. The only indications of use are very light and could easily be recovered.
Unfortunately black is not a forgiving colour for stone chips but thankfully this car has few. There are a couple of stone chips on the nearside front and one on the offside rear arch. Both doors have light chips on their edges, including at the base of the passenger door. There are also marks where both doors have rubbed on the B-pillars. The driver’s door sill is lightly scuffed.
The beautiful black wire wheels are in exceptional, unmarked condition and fitted with quality Blockley vintage tyres. The car has been professionally converted to an ‘open wheel’ rear set up to accommodate the wires.
The attractive red roof matches the interior and is a very high quality item in very good condition. It has a removable rear window, the Perspex of which looks clear and undamaged.
The Seller states that the chrome work has been fully restored. He says the work is not perfect – he would like the front and rear bumpers to be better – but we can’t see any issues at all in the detail photographs of these parts.
The car has not been MOT’d since it was returned to the road – it is exempt of course – so it is not possible to verify the structural condition. However the photographs of the underside indicate it is very solid with a good coating of wax oil to protect the chassis.BA56mlxsewcZZMBTgQXyC1vmCDt9FwxQ5StFsS03.jpg1.58 MB
The Mechanics
The XK120 was the first application of Jaguar’s then-new XK engine
Fitted with Broadsport 5spd gearbox conversion that significant improves the car’s driveability
Uprated cooling system with water header tanks and Kenlowe fan
Matching numbers car with fully rebuilt 3.4litre straight engine
Disc brake upgrade
The XK120 of 1948 was the first use of a remarkable engine that would go on to continuously power Jaguars right into the 1980s. In the intervening years it also made Le Mans winners of the diminutive Coventry concern. It is a robust and strong engine and the 3.4litre displacement of the XK120 is considered to be one of the sweetest-revving versions.
This is a matching numbers car and its original XK engine was been fully rebuilt by Guy Broad during the car’s nut and bolt restoration and has only covered 1400 miles since. It is mechanically standard – and good for 160bhp – but there are some useful mechanical upgrades to be aware of. Most significant is the Broadsport 5spd gearbox, a very desirable XK improvement that makes these cars significantly more useable and easier to drive. A disc brake upgrade helps make sure this big car also stops quickly in modern traffic.
The cooling system has also been upgraded with a water header tank and Kenlowe fan.
The photographs of this car show the quality of the work and how well this has stood up. As there is no MOT history we were unable to verify the mileage since the restoration but the speedometer is currently showing 1403 miles.
There is a thick history file but we were not able to verify the service records for the car. It seems reasonable to assume they match the impeccable condition but this may be something to check with the Seller. AIyAhKUGVR81AFm2DNe9usRQMSIDauFxAd5gs7sv.jpg1021.83 KB
Summary
The beautiful XK120 brought movie-star looks to the streets of Britain. Just like the E Type in the 1960s its svelte lines made other cars look at once boxy and boring. 75 years on, as this wonderful example shows, that wow factor hasn’t diminished.
Carefully restored by marque specialists after a fascinating life, this tastefully upgraded, matching numbers XK120 is factory correct. It is also very useable with its uprated gearbox, brakes and cooling system. Rare and distinctive, it looks ready to grace any stage, whether one involving classic car shows or European rally tours.
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