Description
The Jaguar XK 120 was introduced at the 1948 British Motor Show to showcase the company’s new 3. 4 litre XK engine that was intended for installation in a new range of saloon cars. However, the new saloon wasn’t ready so the XK 120 was created as a limited-production sports car equipped with the new engine. The new 120 was so well received Jaguar decided to put it into production proper.
Three body configurations were available, Roadster (OTS), Fixed-Head Coupe (FHC) and Drophead coupe (DHC). The Drophead Coupe was an altogether more refined and comfortable proposition than the Roadster with its properly lined convertible top that could be erected quickly and easily, and a more luxurious interior that featured wood veneers to the dashboard and door cappings. Wind-up windows set in chrome frames with opening quarterlights were also present, which together with the sophisticated folding roof offered more protection against the elements compared to the rudimentary top and removable side-screens of the Roadster.
The British Motor Heritage Trust certificate on file confirms Chassis S667153 was completed on the 24th November 1953 and was dispatched to Jaguar dealers Henlys of Manchester. It is generally accepted that only 295 RHD home market XK 120 DHCs were built. The ‘S’ prefix of the chassis number denotes our car is the super-rare SE (Special Equipment) version and multiple Jaguar sources and publications show less than 40 RHD XK 120 DHCs were produced to SE specification.
The SE was equipped with high-performance features such as twin-exhaust system, wire wheels (with two-eared Rudge Whitworth knock-off hubs) that provided increased cooling to the brakes, uprated torsion bars and rear springs and most importantly a more powerful engine with higher-lift cams - a claimed 190 bhp against the 160 bhp of the standard car.
The earliest recorded keeper of our XK 120 DHC SE is a Mr. Michael Pilling of Lincoln who owned the car between 1971 and 1999. In 1992 Mr. Pilling commissioned Robinson & Godwin Classics of Grimsby to carry out a full body-off restoration which included a bare metal respray in classic British Racing Green, re-wire and re-chrome. The interior was retrimmed in Suede Green leather and a new Mohair hood fitted. Mr Pilling also reunited the car with its original number of TB 140.
In September 1999 the Jaguar was purchased from Ivydene Garage by John Davis, an engineer based in Erdington, Birmingham. Mr Davis installed a Kenlowe electric fan in 2001 and in 2002 commissioned Derek Watson, an independent Jaguar specialist to install a number of upgrades to the car; the front brakes were converted to vented discs, telescopic dampers and uprated springs were fitted to the rear along with a Harvey Bailey Engineering roll bar. John also upgraded the wire wheels with body-coloured 72 spoke items for increased rigidity and improved roadholding. Finally the popular upgrade of a Borg Warner T5 five-speed gearbox was also installed - the original Moss gearbox was retained and comes with the car.
The original engine was rebuilt between 2010 and 2011 and the seats were retrimmed once more in suede green leather. Mr. Davies cherished his XK and stored it in his heated and de-humidified garage.
The current owner acquired the car in June 2021 and has spent in excess of £15, 000 with Jaguar specialists maintaining and improving the car further.
A new 12v battery was fitted in June 2021 and various new parts were installed in 2022 including new fuel tank sender unit, crankshaft damper, brake master cylinder, front brake pipes, tie rods, fan belt, expansion tank and air filter. An uprated Hi-Torque starter motor was also fitted.
In December 2023 respected Jaguar specialists M & C Wilkinson fitted a new and correct SE twin exhaust system along with general maintenance work which included draining and flushing the fuel tank, installation of a new fuel pump and a Filter King fuel filter before the carburettors. A new cam feed pipe remedied a previous oil leak and on completion of a test drive the highly experienced Wilkinsons team reported it to be the best XK they had driven and that it pulled exceptionally well. In addition a period amber driving light, fog light and C-Type-style central light have been installed
The current owner is a taller chap and had a thinner driver’s seat cushion made in suede green leather that allows the driver to sit lower in the car and allows more leg room. This cushion will be included in the sale along with the standard seat cushion.
This very rare XK variant has had only three owners since 1971 and is a much-loved and very well-maintained example. It has been properly sorted by experienced specialists and is ready for its next custodian.
