Fantasy Junction

Description

1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

Chassis No. – 671685
Original Eng. – W3783-8 (included)
Engine No. – B1251-8 (installed)
Exterior Color – Red
Interior Color – Black Leather
Engine – 3.4 Liter in-line six
Transmission – 5-speed manual
Current Miles – 4,004 miles (TMU)

General History


When Jaguar revealed the XK120, wartime austerity was still impacting much of the UK. With its stunning styling, sophisticated mechanical specification, and unapologetic performance, the XK120 was nothing short of a revelation. The elegant and sporty XK120 not only boosted morale among the weary UK population, it demonstrated to the world that Britain had both the technical capacity and design excellence to deliver a beautiful performance car.


Although originally intended to be a concept car showcasing Jaguar’s remarkable new twin-cam inline 6-cylinder engine, the breathtaking styling and genuine 120 mph performance of the XK120, coupled with an affordable price, captured the imagination of the world. Sales were so strong that Jaguar had to reengineer the car for mass production to meet the significant demand. This effort not only improved output, it also allowed Jaguar to expand their market share exporting to North America and other parts of the world. The XK120 set new standards of comfort, handling, and performance for British sports cars. There was nothing that could touch the XK120 at the remarkably affordable price.

History of this Jaguar XK 120




According to the Jaguar Heritage Daimler Trust Certificate this Jaguar was built October 4, 1951, and dispatched through Hornburg Jaguar, Los Angeles, CA October 29, 1951, with the selling dealer noted as Sports Car Motors, New Orleans, LA. Originally finished in Silver with red interior and a fawn convertible top, this left hand drive Open Two Seater eventually came under the ownership of well-known Jaguar collector Bill Tracy who sold the car to the former owner in Alamo, CA by 2007. Over the next four years, the owner added approximately 3,000 miles to the car while servicing systems, restoring many aspects of the car, and updating various items as needed. 

By 2011, under prior ownership, the car was completed to a very high standard particularly so for the exterior finishes. At that time, the original 3.4 L engine (included with the car) was rebuilt by noted Jaguar mechanic Bill Tracy including a Type C head with high lift cams, Stellite hardened valve seats (for unleaded fuel), electronic ignition, and gear reduction starter. The car ran a pair of large diameter stainless steel exhaust, extra heavy torsion bars, large sand cast carburetors, aluminum flywheel, and the transmission was rebuilt by Jim Groom. In addition to the mechanical features of the engine, the car was finished in red with 72 hood louvers installed on the top of the hood, fitted with Tri-bar headlights, Lucas P700 driving lights, all new bumpers, a new leather interior, and leather gaiters for the rear suspension leaf springs. After the restoration and mechanical work was completed, the owner drove the car about 1,000 miles sorting out the details and general driving manners.

In 2012, the current owner purchased the car and engaged Vintage Auto Service, Oakland, CA to install a T5 transmission. At the same time, the owner enjoyed the car with the 3.4 L engine but decided to improve further on the performance. The following year, the current owner returned to Vintage Auto Service where a rebuilt 3.8 L engine was fitted with an E-type oil pan, CP pistons, new bearings and bolts, including boring .20, decking .006 and honing the block. A mag and grind for the crank, new rear end seal converted, a Mallory dual point distributor, and balancing for the rotating assembly were all part of the expert rebuild. New valves, springs, valve seats, guides, and hold-downs were also installed in the head. The engine was delivered to Hasselgren Engineering for dyno testing where it recorded over 200hp and 230 lb. ft. torque. A set of wire wheels were installed and the brakes were serviced. In 2015 a new aluminum radiator was installed, and in 2017 the cooling system was serviced including a new heater core, new hoses, re-sealing for the heater valve, and heater fan blades adjusted for better clearance.

Current Condition and Overview

Today, this sporty XK120 roadster displays beautiful finishes and fantastic vivid color. The paint is glossy and smooth with excellent coverage throughout. The professionally louvered hood is the only exterior clue that quite a bit more performance lurks underneath an otherwise stock appearing XK120. The body is in excellent condition showing sound panel gaps and excellent door fit with very good closures and latching, reflective of professional attention to detail when the car was refinished under prior ownership. The sporting color combination is highlighted by chrome wire wheels and Vredestein Sprint Classic 185 HR16 tires. In addition to the excellent paint, the brightwork is beautiful with reflective luster including a very nice grille, excellent taillight housings, and polished headlight trim. The windscreen and chrome trim are also in excellent condition, while the black convertible top has a clear rear window, and properly finished top irons, offered loose with the spare items and not fixed to the car at this time.

Inside the cockpit, the interior offers excellent finishes in keeping with the refined exterior. The black leather trimmed seats are correctly piped and pleated featuring Jaguar branded black lap belts and correctly finished seat rails. The dashboard is also very nicely finished with beautiful instrumentation showing excellent color, correct needles, and contrasting dial faces. Only the gently aged tumbler numbers on the main and trip odometers indicate 70+ years of service. A wood rim steering wheel is currently fitted though the original black steering wheel is included with the car. The trunk is very much in keeping with the interior condition including a spare chrome plated wire wheel black carpeting, and the correct upper luggage shelf. A proper hand pump, jack, and tire changing tools are also in place.

Lifting the hood, the 3.8 liter engine and engine compartment are beautifully detailed. The dual-overhead camshaft head is finished with the silver cam valley, and generally correct components and finishes with a few concessions for modern driving including a modern coil and ignition, larger carburetors, and contemporary chrome mesh air filters. A modern aluminum radiator is installed which, coupled with the louvered hood, greatly improves cooling particularly under warmer driving conditions and resting idle. The undercarriage remains clean and correct and there is no evidence of structural damage or compromise to the floors or suspension components. In addition to several correctly restored original features, nice touches include leather leaf spring gaiters, vivid red exterior floors with excellent finishes to the underside surfaces, polished dual exhaust exit pipes, upgraded 5 speed gearbox, and stainless steel exhaust, the latter two of which are in keeping with the discreet performance upgrades to this XK120.

This Jaguar starts easily and settles into a smooth loping idle. Once warmed to operating temperature, the car sets off confidently. For those who have driven stock 120 models in the past, this vastly improved XK is an absolute delight given the added power and 5-speed manual transmission. The car pulls strong in all gears with excellent engine response from the improved cams particularly so in the second to third gear range when carving country roads. The gearbox shifts smoothly, the clutch takes up properly, and braking is consistent with the era. The open coachwork, low seating position, and handsome finishes contribute to the sporting characteristics originally established, now thoughtfully enhanced by contemporary Jaguar performance specialists.

This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a very well sorted Jaguar XK120 roadster, ready for your driving pleasure. Offering beautiful cosmetics and refined mechanical operation, this XK120 is sure to offer the next owner the welcoming pleasures of driving one of the most iconic sports cars ever built

Included with this Jaguar

This Jaguar is accompanied by the original (both block and head) matching number engine (W3783-8), spare original radiator (removed from this car), three black tonneau covers, a pair of side curtains with vinyl storage bags, a complete black canvas top with top irons, the original steering wheel, two sets of tools and tool rolls, an indoor car cover, a spare wheel wrench, knock off mallet, an assortment of owner and service manuals, a spare Lucas control box, and a display placard featuring the specifications for this car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608