Vehicle Description
Cruisin Classics is proud to present to you this stunning 1953
Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe. The XK120 was launched in open
two-seater roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testbed
and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine designed by Jaguar Chief
Engineer William Heynes. The sports car caused a sensation, which
persuaded Jaguar Founder and Chairman William Lyons to put it into
production. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, handling, and
performance for British sports cars and, in keeping with the Jaguar
tradition, there was nothing to touch it at the price. The XK120's
claim to fame (and the reason for its name) was the fact that it
was capable of sustained high-speed cruising at 120mph - making it
the fastest production car in the world at the time. Jaguar began
manufacturing the fixed-head coupe version of the XK120 in mid-1951
and produced only 2,477 left-hand drive models by mid-1954 (when
production of the XK140 started) - making it quite a rare find
today!
The car before us today was produced on April 4th, 1952, with red
paint and biscuit interior was then sent to Los Angeles,
California, per the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. After
examining the car, we have determined that this XK120 retains its
original numbers-matching chassis, body, engine block, head, and
4-speed manual transmission! That's right - this is a true
numbers-matching car! This Jaguar comes to us fresh from a complete
nut-and-bolt restoration that touched literally every inch of the
car. It is now dressed in a show-quality coat of fresh Ivory paint
with a gorgeous red interior - an absolutely perfect color
combination for this coupe! The white paint really brings out the
swooping body lines of what is widely considered one of the most
beautiful shapes ever to grace an automobile. The body itself is
made of pressed steel with aluminum doors, bonnet, and boot lid.
All the chrome and brightwork on the car is in exceptional
condition with a brilliant shine and no pitting. Up front, you'll
find a gleaming vertical-bar oval grille flanked by round Lucas
headlamps set in bright bezels and mirror-finish chrome bumperettes
down low. Above the grille is a like-new gold Jaguar head badge,
and up on top of the fenders are dual chrome side mirrors and turn
signal indicators. The curved bonnet leads your attention back to a
chrome-framed split windshield complete with a set of bright wiper
arms. The windshield and all of the other glass on the car are
brand new and crystal clear. The main door windows as well as the
front and rear pop-out vent windows are all framed in chrome trim,
just like the windshield. The view from the side of this Jaguar is
truly the most breathtaking vantage point, showing off the swooping
fender lines and the curvaceous top. The wheel/tire combination
brings the whole look together with Ivory-painted steel wheels,
beauty rings, and correct Jaguar centercaps all wrapped in new
Dunlop Road Speed RS5 tires (6-ply nylon tube-type). Removable rear
fender spats enhance the streamlined look from the side.
Sophisticated styling continues around back with a downward-sloping
rear end that features round taillights in bright fixtures, dual
vertical chrome bumperettes, a locking gas fill door, a bright
license plate lamp fixture, and a single stainless steel tailpipe
peeking out from underneath. Twist the bright handle and lift the
boot lid to find an immaculate trunk with red vinyl lining, a full
spare, a period air-pump, and all of the correct factory jacking
equipment mounted to the sidewalls. The leather strap that would
hold the factory tool roll is present, though the tool roll is not.
The undercarriage of this XK120 is just as exceptional as the top
side, and it's painted Ivory just like the body. It is obvious that
literally every detail underneath was attended to with equal vigor
during the restoration.
Under the bonnet is an exemplary engine bay that is home to the
fabulous XK engine that made these Jaguars famous. It is a
3.4-liter 210ci straight six cylinder engine that boasts twin
overhead camshafts running in an aluminum-alloy cylinder head with
seven main bearings and a maximum output of 160bhp. It is a
low-compression engine by today's standards (8:1) and can be run on
standard pump gas. Other engine highlights include correct twin
side-draft SU carburetors (both were rebuilt), gleaming valve
covers, black porcelain-coated exhaust manifolds, and a correct
Jaguar grease gun mounted on the sidewall. The engine was rebuilt
during the restoration process, and it starts and runs like a top.
The engine is mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox (also rebuilt) that
shifts easily as it sends power to the rear wheels. Stopping power
comes from 4-wheel 12" hydraulic drum brakes.
Open the driver's door to reveal an exquisite interior appointed
with red leather, burled walnut, and shining chrome. The door
panels are covered with red leather, capped off at the top with a
strip of luxurious burled walnut. The OEM-correct door handles and
window cranks feature elegant styling and look like new. Flawless
red leather seats with bucket bases and a split bench back welcome
you inside for a special driving experience. Once you're inside
with the door shut, you can see that the side windows are entirely
framed with burled walnut, and it covers the entire dash as well.
The red carpet underfoot is new and fresh with a perfect fit.
Rising from the center tunnel is a black pattern knob shifter with
a chrome stalk and a red leather boot. Just to the right of the
shifter is a chromed emergency brake lever, also with a red leather
boot. Directly ahead of the driver is a black 4-spoke OEM steering
wheel on a telescopic column. The wheel features a chrome band with
a Jaguar head at the center of the working horn button and a slider
just above the button that operates the turn signal indicators. The
beautiful wood dash ahead of the passengers is truly a work of
automotive art! Atop the center of the dash is a miniscule
rear-view mirror and an even smaller ashtray. Set in the dash
itself are working Smiths gauges for oil, water, petrol, and oil as
well as a 140mph speedometer and a reverse-sweep tachometer with
built-in analog clock. There are switches for panel interior lights
and a knob for exterior lights. You'll also notice that amongst the
gauges are controls for the working wipers and heater. The key
ignition is located on the dashboard, and so is the start button.
Beneath the gauges is a slide-out wooden drawer with a felt liner.
At the far right of the dash is a locking door with even more green
felt-lined storage behind it. There is a chrome pull-knob beneath
the passenger side of the dash that acts as a hood release.
Overhead, you'll find a tight grey fabric headliner and two tinted
plexiglass visors. If you fold the front seats forward, you can
access a wide but shallow storage space at the top of the rear
package tray with a lift-up door.
It is not every day that you're lucky enough to see a '53 Jaguar
XK120 FHC - let alone one that has been restored to this high
level. This car would be a shining star in any collection, and it's
sure to bring home awards and trophies by the trunkload! It's a
beautiful work of art to look at, but it is also an excellent
driving machine that needs nothing but a new owner to hit the road
and start enjoying it! Just a reminder - numbers-matching body,
chassis, engine, head, and transmission, Jaguar Heritage Trust
Certificate, complete nut and bolt restoration just completed, and
just 34,690 actual miles! Call one of our friendly staff today and
be the lucky one who gets to call this stupendous piece of
automotive history their own!
ENGINE
3.4liter 210ci Straight Six...for more information please contact
the seller.
