Description
YWG 297 was manufactured on the 12th June 1952 and is matching numbers example finished in its factory colour combination of Gunmetal with Red leather trim. This LHD Open two-seater is an ideal Mille Miglia candidate and perfect for the Continent in its original LHD format. The XK120 comes with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate confirming all original factory details.
The dashboard of this car features a 1954 Chanute Racing plaque and information from the Racing Sports Car Club in the US confirms 20 XK120's participated in the event including this car at the Chaunute AFB, in Rantoul, Illinois about 130 miles South of Chicago. The XK also retains an original aero screen which offers a reminder of the car's early life.
This Jaguar XK120 arrived in the UK in 2016, was subject of basic re-commissioning work and UK registered with YWG 297 being allocated as its registration mark. During 2018, as a strong, driving yet scruffy XK120, the car was in regular use prior to a more major program of work that began in early 2020.
Initially the XK's original engine was fully checked over and found to be in excellent condition holding excellent oil pressure and correct compressions. Then, the cars scruffy, dented and marked bodyshell was fully stripped down and then lifted off the chassis. The chassis was found to be in exceptional structural condition, and was then cleaned, prepared, and painted whilst the body was having a bare metal restoration. Having been taken back to bare metal, the shell was then prepared and fully re-painted in the cars original colour Gunmetal.
With the running gear removed, the engine was cleaned and detailed, the Moss gearbox fully overhauled. The rear axle was checked, some seals replaced, and a substantial level of mechanical work carried out prior to re-fitting the body. All chrome work was renewed and re-fitted to the car, wire wheels painted in Black and a new set of tyres fitted to the car. The XK was fitted with new floor boards, then the removed upholstery completely re-trimmed in Red leather. The dashboard was re-trimmed with all electrics renewed, hood frame overhauled, poweder coated and all new weather equipment fitted. Various interior chrome work was renewed, new furflexes, rubbers and trims fitted, and the boot compartment totally renewed.
The comprehensive list of mechanical work included a brand new clutch, new engine mountings, manifolds, new exhaust fitting kit, nuts, studs and gaskets, carburettors fully rebuilt, new fuel pump, renewed aluminium fuel tank, all new coolant hoses, radiator checked and cleaned and full brake overhaul to include master cylinder, brake hoses, brake cylinders and re-lined brake shoes. The suspension was treated to new rear springs, rear spring bushes and roll bar bushes. The XK was fitted with a new wiper motor, all gauges were overhauled, and electrics renewed as required. With the car built back up, the car was fully function checked and road tested with exceptional results.
As result of the recent major program of work, YWG 297 is glorious on the road. Its fit, strong engine pulls and performs superbly, the rebuilt gearbox is a joy to use and the car feels tight with an impressive strong road holding. It is ready to tour and be put through its paces and would be fabulous for those European mountain pass roads. The body is beautiful and straight with a gleaming, stunning Gunmetal finish, chrome work is first class and the upholstery wonderful having been re-trimmed and renewed with the highest quality of materials. This is a beautiful looking car and is offered onto the market in first class condition with invoices and photographs recording all recent work.
