2011-01-04 19:57:49 | Dennis M writes:

670682 is in the catalogue for the Gooding Co auction in Scottsdale, AZ January 21-22. Lot # 24

2011-01-05 21:17:09 | pauls writes:

Car was at Gooding Auction 1/11, lot 24, sold for $125,400.

www.goodingco.com/auction/index.php

Auction description:

1950 Jaguar XK120 OTS

Chassis No. 670682

Engine No. W 1791-8

*Please note that this car is titled by its engine number.

$150,000 - $200,000

Without Reserve

This unusual Jaguar is equipped with chrome-plated top and seat frames, as well as chromed bonnet and boot prop rods, and air scoops on the front brake backing plates. There is a notable lack of side air vents and, in addition, the dashboard displays the distinctive “Exact Replica” plaque dated May 30, 1949, quoting a speed of 132.6 mph. Beyond these immediately noticeable distinctions, there are a number of minor mechanical and internal differences, from the carburetors to the design of the valve covers that identify this car as an early XK120.

First delivered to the famed Los Angeles Jaguar distributor Charles Hornburg, the silver XK was then dispatched to a Northern California dealership on September 28, 1950. The first owner was a local man who drove the car until the mid-1960s, at which time the aging Jaguar was relegated to the storage barn. It remained there, with little attention, for the next 15 to 20 years, until the owner’s son began to disassemble the car in preparation for restoration. In the 1990s, after several failed attempts to get the project off the ground, the Jaguar was finally sold to its second owner. That owner kept the car, then in a mostly disassembled state, for approximately 10 years.

The current caretaker, a knowledgeable British car enthusiast, discovered the XK and purchased the car from the second owner. While his initial intention was to bring the car back as a hopped-up driver, upon learning of its unique history and early production date, those plans were immediately put aside.

Instead, a complete nut-and-bolt restoration was undertaken that returned the car to its original factory-delivered specification. The restoration effort began in 2009 and since then, every aspect of the car, cosmetic and mechanical, seen and unseen, has been painstakingly restored with the aim of making this XK as correct and authentic as possible.

Although disassembled when found, the Jaguar was remarkably complete and many features have been photographed to illustrate how Jaguar coded components with the date of manufacture, such as the starter, generator and light switch. Any missing items that had to be sourced were, for the most part, NOS components; however, the vast majority of the restoration utilized carefully rebuilt original parts.

Stephen Galdrige of AJAG in Northern California has equipped the original, matching- numbers engine with .040-over pistons and has completely rebuilt and balanced the unit. All other electrical and mechanical components have been rebuilt and restored, including gauges, brakes, rear end, fuel pump, wiper motor, generator, starter, radiator, carburetors, front end, steering box, brake lines and cylinders, front and rear suspension, gas tank and wiring.

Both body and frame were mineral stripped before Igor Boun, a European specialist, carefully painted the Jaguar in its original light metallic silver. The interior was refinished to exacting standards in red upholstery, utilizing the proper materials and lastly, the top was completed featuring the correct black Stayfast fabric with the top bows chromed just as they would have been when they left the factory.

It is clear that no detail was overlooked during the entire process and a great deal of documentation exists testifying to the meticulous work performed.

Not only does this car possess an attractive appearance in its stock configuration, the owner has elected to include Brooklands screens, an aluminum passenger-side tonneau cover and a period-appropriate head fairing. These components allow for three specifications: stock road car, two-seat rally car and single-seat racer.

The owner states that the transformation from concours contender to gentleman’s weekend racer can be completed in approximately an hour, making this an unusually versatile and appealing British sports car. After all, what race in the early 1950s was complete without an XK120 stripped and ready to compete?

A California car from new with matching numbers and unique early features would be an exciting opportunity in and of itself. This Jaguar is even more enticing with its exacting restoration, excellent documentation and one of the most desirable factory color combinations available. It should hold great appeal for the collector looking for the right dual-purpose XK120.