Est. 250 bhp, 3,442 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, “C-Type” cylinder head, twin two-inch SU HD8 carburetors, custom five-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with coil springs, double wishbones and anti-roll bar, rigid rear axle with adjustable coil-over spring system and dual-action tubular shock absorbers, and front disc/rear drum hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 102"

• Highly desirable late-production, LHD US-delivery Special Equipment model

• Complete historical file; JDHT Certificate included

• Proven show winner; careful upgrades for fast, trouble-free touring

Blessed with exceptionally well-documented history, this XK120 is an original left-hand drive Special Equipment model that was completed on December 18, 1953, dispatched to the USA on January 1, 1954 and purchased new by Charles E. Gifford of Burbank, California. The Jaguar was sold to John Canepa, Jr. of Saratoga, California, under whom it was restored between 1969 and 1971. Once completed, it was shown at the 1972 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and placed second in class.

The following summer, the XK120 was acquired by noted Jaguar collector Walter Hill, under whom it took Best of Show at the 1974 AACA South Florida Regional meet, and it enjoyed climate-controlled storage with him until August 2005 (over three decades!), when Gary Bartlett acquired it. In his ownership, the engine, brakes, cooling system and instruments were rebuilt and a fresh set of tires was installed. At this point, only about 30 miles were traveled since 1973.

In early 2007, the XK120 was acquired by the current owner and carefully prepared for reliable, comfortable and fast long-distance touring as well as the show field. Following successful completion of the 2,000-mile Pebble Beach Motoring Classic and an appearance at Quail Lodge in 2007, the Jaguar received a complete restoration far above typical standards. Work included a single-stage ICI Polyurethane finish over treated bare metal without clear-coat to obtain an extremely deep and wet-looking effect. When the body was stripped in preparation for paint, an exciting discovery was made in the form of a quick-release panel on the front fender, a modification to release heat during competition. This is certainly a clue to the car’s track days with the original owner during the 1950s and 1960s in Southern California.

Thoughtful mechanical upgrades included front disc brakes, brake-proportioning valve, secondary electric fuel pump, larger fuel tank, under-dash manual choke control, carburetor air trumpets, custom exhaust system with powder-coated headers, custom aluminum radiator with a coolant expansion tank and custom-made five-speed gearbox. Original-type yellow Lucas fog lamps were obtained at great expense, and the seats were custom-made for improved comfort on long journeys with larger drivers.

The Jaguar again completed the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic in 2008 and 2010, performing strongly and without a single fault. Other show entries included the Winterpark Concours, the 2009 Cavallino Classic and the invitation-only Mar-a-Lago Concours in January 2009, where the XK120 earned Best in Class. Most remarkably, the XK120 created a sensation at a late-2010 Porsche Club of America (PCA) regional event, where it was awarded People’s Choice and very nearly won the Challenge Rally at the same event!

Complete with an additional windshield, a custom-made center piece that clips between and joins the rakish Brooklands screens, an extensive historical file with correspondence, concours memorabilia and awards, the aforementioned JDHT certificate and more, the XK120 also includes a tool kit, the original jack and handle, the original tire pump and the original owner’s manual. Fast, very handsome and well-sorted, it ticks all the boxes for classic sports car desirability, combining the finest original elements of Jaguar’s legendary XK120 in its top-specification SE form with thoughtful improvements to vastly improve the overall driving experience.