Lot 255

London 2011

1953 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupé

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£68,000 - £80,000 GBP | Not Sold

United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom

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Chassis No.
669094

3,781 cc inline six-cylinder dual overhead camshaft engine, independent front suspension with double wishbones and torsion bars, rigid rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, five-speed Getrag gearbox, and four-wheel disc brakes. Wheelbase: 2,591 mm

• Desirable performance upgrades

• Stunning in silver with rich blue interior

• Perfect for long tours and rallies

• Known history; Heritage Certificate

The XK120’s introduction at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show was a sensation, immediately overshadowing the sporting sedans that were Jaguar’s bread and butter. William Lyons, never one to miss a commercial opportunity, quickly recognised the XK120’s potential. He commissioned tooling for steel bodywork and capitalised on the car's combination of performance (at the time, it was the fastest production car in the world), compelling style and moderate cost.

This particular Jaguar XK120 was supplied new through Henley’s of London in January 1954, to a Mr. R.G. Lamont of Norwich. With a known ownership chain from new, it passed through two owners before being acquired by a Mr. Rickmansworth of Cardiff. He was renowned for his motorsport activity, and it is thought that he competed in this particular car. The Jaguar subsequently passed to a Mr. Paul Dewhurst, where it was laid up and stored in a garage for 10 years.

In 2008 the owner bought the car in very good condition but had a unique vision for the car, wanting to drive it in comfort and at greater speed over long distances on European tours. Modifications included a high performance Jaguar 3.8-litre engine with an E- Type sump, new pistons, high capacity oil and water pumps, as well as an upgraded head with SU two-inch carburettors. The original gearbox was replaced with a five-speed Getrag unit, a prudent modification for high-speed touring. It also received rack-and-pinion graduated power steering, which is an immense improvement over the original worm-and-sector unit. To give greater braking power, the car has also been up-rated to disk brakes front and rear with twin servos. The interior now features bucket seats for greater support, and the pedal box was also modified for a more comfortable driving position.

Painted silver with a beautiful blue interior, it is hard to imagine a more attractive Jaguar. Expertly prepared, it is an automobile that is most suitable for any high-speed tour or rally and comes complete with its original registration documentation as well as Heritage Certificate.