1953 Jaguar XK120

This 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE roadster was completed on June 4, 1953 and reportedly underwent a refurbishment in the early 1980s that involved a repaint in white as well as the installation of a replacement frame. Finished in white over tan leather upholstery, the car is powered by a 3.4L inline-six mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Features include a tan soft top, an electronic ignition system and fuel pump, and knock-off wire wheels. The car was acquired by the seller in 2020, reportedly following around 16 years in storage, and work in preparation for the sale consisted of replacing the water pump, coolant hoses, and batteries. This XK120 is now offered with a tool kit, spare parts, manufacturer’s literature, a removable tonneau cover, a Production Record Trace certificate, and a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name, listing it as a 1954 model. Finished from the factory in Battleship Grey, the car is said to have undergone bodywork prior to a repaint in its current shade of white in the 1980s. Exterior details include a tan soft top, fender-mounted side mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and chrome bumperettes. Paint cracks and lifting are noted throughout the body and shown up close in the gallery. A tan tonneau cover and a pair of removable side curtains are included in the sale. The turn signals were repaired in preparation for the sale. Gray-finished 16” knock-off wire wheels are mounted with BFGoodrich Silvertown tires, and a full-size spare is located in the rear storage area. Braking is via drums at all four corners. The wheel hubs are said to have been greased during current ownership. The seller reports that the wheels are out of round. Originally trimmed in Biscuit and Red upholstery, the interior houses tan leather seats and a color-coordinated dashboard surround and door panels. Appointments include a dash-mounted rear-view mirror, a passenger-side grab handle, lap belts, and map pockets in both doors. Wear is noted on the grab handles for the doors, the windshield wipers are inoperable, and the heater is in need of service. A four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of centrally-mounted Smiths instrumentation that includes a 140-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep 6k-rpm tachometer with an inset clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 87k miles, around 300 of which have been added by the seller. Total mileage is unknown. Several dashboard lights are inoperable or dim. The 3.4-liter inline-six features dual SU carburetors and was fitted with a replacement cylinder head and a fuel shut-off valve during previous ownership, along with an electric fuel pump, radiator fan, and ignition system. A tune up was reportedly carried out in 2020, and work in preparation for the sale included changing the oil and replacing the water pump, radiator hoses, and both six volt batteries. The seller notes an oil leak. A photo of the engine block stamping is provided in the gallery. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. According to the seller, the car was fitted with a replacement frame during the refurbishment in the 1980s. Additional underside photos are provided in the gallery below. Manufacturer’s literature, a toolkit, and spare parts are included in the sale. The Production Record Trace certificate shows the factory colors and identification numbers, along with a completion date of June 4, 1953. The car is titled using engine number W87378S.