For Sale: 1953 Jaguar XK120 in Savannah, Georgia

Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster. Finished in a stunning shade of Aubergine Metallic over Biscuit leather hides, this is a nicely restored and updated example that is perfectly set up for touring. A two-time participant in the Colorado Grand, this XK maintains a mostly stock appearance but has several chassis upgrades - including front disk brakes, front sway bars and rear track bars, and a Borg Warner / Tremec T5 five-speed manual transmission. Having owned and driven several dozen XK120s, we can safely say this one has the best driving dynamics of any we have encountered.

Restored to a concours standard under prior ownership by noted Jaguar specialist XKs Unlimited in California (prior to their 2017 acquisition by Moss Motors). Garage kept under present enthusiast ownership since 2016. Paint, body and interior still present to a very nice standard, and show minimal normal wear due to age and mileage since the restoration. Chrome is excellent, panels are straight and gaps are good. Convertible top, side curtains and matching tonneau are likewise in nearly new condition. Gorgeous 16-inch knockoff wire wheels are wearing Firestone radials. Interior presents nicely with correct finishes throughout, plus a Moto-Lita wood-rimmed steering wheel. All gauges are working except for the clock. Simpson racing lap belts have been added as a nod to safety.

Under the hood is Jaguar's ground-breaking twin-cam 3.4 liter XK straight six; this car left the factory as an SE (known in some markets as an MC) which had a higher compression head good for an extra 20 horsepower. Both the engine and head are the original numbers-matching components. Upgrades include an alternator (vs the original generator) and an auxiliary electric cooling fan. Starts easily both hot and cold; runs cool even with extended idling in stop-and-go traffic on a hot summer day in Savannah. The five-speed is a game changer for extended highway driving (during my road test I was able to comfortably cruise at an indicated 75 mph while turning a tick under 3,000 rpm). The fastest road car of its day, performance is sprightly even by modern standards. And of course it's arguably one of the best looking cars ever built.

For more information about this 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE OTS Roadster for sale at Motorcar Studio in Savannah, please call 912-235-0435.