2013-08-08 20:51:43 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 8/13


Auction description:
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM's Monterey event, August 16-17, 2013. rmauctions.com/.
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE
Lot 145
1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
$100,000 - $125,000

Chassis no. 674293
Engine no. F1028-8
Body no. F6444
Gearbox no. JL19622
Incredibly low mileage, matching-numbers example
Equipped with an extremely rare factory hardtop

The current owner has been in possession of this XK120 Roadster since 1999. He took extreme pride in his XK120, and he was always sure to extend it the best care and maintenance, as well as exercising it regularly to ensure that it ran as it should. Under his ownership, the car was maintained by British Automotive Repair, of Scottsdale, Arizona, who reported that this XK120 is in exemplary cosmetic and mechanical condition. A restoration in the mid-1990s refinished it in black with a red leather interior, while the majority of the car's internal components remain mostly original, including its 3.4-liter engine and transmission.

The most notable feature of this XK120 is its factory hardtop. Only fitted to a small percentage of roadsters, the factory hardtop is easily installed and looks fantastic, only adding to the roadster's dramatic lines. The same portable windows that affix to the more popular soft top are also interchangeable with the hardtop, making this XK120 an excellent choice for long-distance vintage rallies. The original soft top and tonneau cover are included in the sale as well, making it a rare three-top example.

Interestingly, this car was featured in The Jaguar Story by Joseph H. Wherry. Sporting the same fiberglass hardtop, the car was finished in cream and brown and was appropriately nicknamed "Chocolate Sundae." Taken on an extensive test drive by the author, he remarks that "taking the curves was a pleasure in an XK 120 Roadster, the sharper, the better. Using the gears properly, shifting down if in mountains or just for the fun of it, and then applying the accelerator pressure would bring the car through without excessive lean."

In the world of the XK120, this is very rare car. Factory hardtops are extremely hard to come by, and considering its incredible condition, it will be difficult to pass up for any Jaguar aficionado. As when tested for The Jaguar Story, this XK120 will surely continue to be a pleasure to drive, be it top on or off.

2013-08-20 10:57:48 | pauls writes:

Sold for $132,000

2014-07-28 10:30:33 | pauls writes:

URL for above auction:
www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm