2023-01-13 22:37:31 | Reno writes:

car is on Auction at The London Classic Car Show, Olympia February 25th 2023

www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2023-25-02/cars/ref-8-1953-jaguar-xk120-road ...

Description:

1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

• Upgraded five-speed gearbox and uprated front disc-brakes
• Upgraded aluminium radiator and electric fan

 In 1985, the vendor was working in Indonesia with the oil business. A colleague of his drew his attention to some outbuildings he knew of one day. There sat a rather neglected Jaguar, mostly complete and definitely available. A deal was struck there and then and, after confirmation with the JDHC, it was determined that the engine and chassis were laid down in late 1952 and shipped in January 1953 to the Cycle and Carriage Company of Singapore (still in existence today) and have issued the relevant Certificate. The Heritage Certificate also confirmed that the cylinder head number indicates Special Equipment. At some point in the late 70’s, the car was exported to Indonesia, probably to Medan and subsequently to Jakarta. The car was then stripped in Jakarta with the body panels in pretty good order although the bulkhead and consumables, such as brake lines and electrical systems, were beyond repair.

With the body off and all ancillaries removed, the condition of the chassis was revealed. The damage was slightly worse than anticipated and so was duly sent off to be professionally restored and subsequently hot-dipped galvanized inside and out. It was then shipped back to the UK in 1986 and passed to Bridport Jaguar, one of several names that had come up during the vendor’s earlier research for XK spares. There was no hurry as the vendor had to go abroad again and so this part of the process took over four years. Eventually, it looked like they were about to go into receivership and so the car was scouped up double quick time. It then went to Bentley Wildflower and Motor Museum in Ringmer where it remained on show for a few years, regularly started, polished and occasionally taken for runs.

The first serious trip was to the classic 24 hour du Mans in a convoy with two other cars, a thoroughly enjoyable journey. The trip, however, was not event-free and highlighted a few areas that would need attention on the return to the UK. The car suffered from overheating as well as a broken starter as well as a definite need to upgrade the brakes. These items were addressed over the next couple of years when the car was sent to Lynx Jaguar in Sussex who fitted a more efficient aluminium radiator and electric fan, a new stainless exhaust manifold and twin exhausts from Guy Broad. They also changed the brakes to discs on the front and corrected some of the outstanding items not completed at Bridport Jaguar. These upgrades made all the difference on a second, trouble-free run on next Le Mans Classic trip. Other final upgrades include a tool roll & tools, the change from the old Moss gearbox to a five-speed Borg Warner unit and the replacement of the standard bench seats (included) to more sporting buckets.

It has also been to the Silverstone Classic on a number of occasions as well as the XK120 70th anniversary event where the car was driven in the parade event.

A well-known and very well restored example.