In current ownership for over 15 years, used regularly for road trips across France and neighbouring countries
Matching serial numbers noted
Contrôle technique valid to April 2028
Retains original solid wheels with rear spats
The Appeal
The Jaguar XK120 needs little introduction. Born from a hastily built prototype that caused a sensation at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show, it was the first production car to feature the now-legendary XK twin-cam inline six, an engine so good it remained in service across the Jaguar range for nearly five decades. With a claimed top speed of 120mph, it was the fastest production car of its day, and its competition derivatives went on to win at Le Mans on multiple occasions. The XK120 remains one of the most beautiful and historically significant sports cars ever made.
This 1954 Drophead Coupé is finished in the wonderfully appropriate British Racing Green over a beige interior and retains its original wheels with rear spats, a distinctive and increasingly rare specification. It has been in the hands of its current owner for over 15 years, during which time it has been used exactly as intended: for weekend outings, road trips with friends across France and neighbouring countries, and the simple pleasure of open-top motoring. The owner reports never having experienced a breakdown.
Sensible reliability upgrades have reportedly been carried out to support regular use, including a 12V electrical conversion with alternator and electronic ignition, a five-speed synchronised gearbox in place of the original Moss unit, conversion to unleaded fuel, and a stainless steel exhaust. The vendor notes recent mechanical work includes refurbished drum brakes, new ball joints and silent blocks on the stabiliser bars and steering linkage, and new tyres. A compression test and camera inspection of the cylinders have reportedly been carried out.
The bodywork shows minor age-related signs on close inspection, and there is a small dent on the rear left wing, but the vendor considers the car very presentable as it stands. Matching serial numbers are noted, and the contrôle technique is valid to April 2028. For those seeking a usable, well-sorted XK120 with a straightforward history and years of enjoyment already proven, this is a compelling proposition.
Purchased by the current owner in April 2011 from Cecil Cars; the car came from the United States at that time
In current ownership for over 15 years
Always maintained at Cecil Cars, supplemented by the owner's own maintenance, we are told
Used regularly for weekend outings and two road trips per year until just before COVID
Odometer indicates 10,429 miles; the odometer has gone around the clock or been replaced, so this reading is not believed to reflect the car's true mileage
Fitted with original solid (non-wire-spoked) wheels with rear spats
Battery approximately three years old
Tyres recently replaced
Bodywork beginning to show signs of ageing: small cracks on the wings and bonnet, visible only on close inspection
Dent on the rear left wing caused by reversing into a bush; repainting was declined due to the risk of colour mismatch
The vendor considers the car still very presentable
Dashboard wood veneer needs a touch-up on the upper horizontal section around the ashtray; the vendor reports the area around the gauges is in very good order
The 1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé is fitted with its original solid steel wheels with rear spats, has a battery approximately three years old, and benefits from recently replaced tyres. The bodywork remains presentable overall, although it is beginning to show its age with minor cracks on the wings and bonnet visible only on close inspection, along with a small dent on the rear left wing caused by reversing into a bush, which was left unrepaired to avoid a potential paint colour mismatch. Inside, the dashboard is in good condition overall, with only the upper horizontal section of the wood veneer around the ashtray requiring a touch-up, while the veneer surrounding the gauges is reported to be in very good order.car-65.jpg445.76 KB
Manual five-speed synchronised gearbox, replacing the original Moss unit
Converted to run on unleaded fuel
Electrical system converted from original 6V to 12V, including supplementary electric fan on the water radiator, alternator with electronic regulator, electronic ignition, and a cigarette lighter socket
Carburettors and air filter restored to original single large air filter configuration
Stainless steel exhaust fitted
Drum brakes recently refurbished
Ball joints and silent blocks recently replaced on stabiliser bars and steering linkage
Compression test and camera inspection of the cylinders recently carried out
No scoring found on the cylinder liners; slight drop in compression on two cylinders but within acceptable norms
No abnormal oil or water consumption, no abnormal noises, no starting or running difficulties, no loss of performance, no abnormal temperature rise
The vendor reports the engine does not require restoration
No power steering
Vendor notes drum brakes do not perform like modern brakes; safe following distances must be maintained
The 1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé is powered by a 3,442cc straight-six DOHC engine paired with a modern five-speed synchromesh gearbox. It has been upgraded for unleaded fuel and converted from 6V to 12V electrics, with an alternator, electronic ignition, electric cooling fan and additional socket, while retaining its original-style carburettor and air-filter configuration. Further improvements include a stainless-steel exhaust, refurbished drum brakes, and recently renewed steering and stabiliser components. A recent compression test and cylinder inspection found no liner scoring, with only a slight compression reduction in two cylinders, considered acceptable; the vendor reports no abnormal oil or coolant consumption, noises, overheating, starting issues or performance loss, and states that the engine does not require restoration. The car has no power steering, and its drum brakes require greater stopping distances than modern braking systems.
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