2007-06-19 17:54:30 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 6/19/07
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-Jaguar-XK-120-DHC-1953-Jaguar-XK-120-Drop-Head-Co ...
Current bid $24,995, no reserve, 2 bids, 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
1953 Jaguar XK120 Drop Head Coupe (DHC). The drop head coupe is the rare true convertible XK120 with fixed folding top and rollup windows. Only 1769 were produced between 1953 and 1954 (vs over 20,000 roadsters) and only about 400 were produced in 1953 with left hand drive as this one is.

It is a very original Jaguar with matching numbers that has never been restored. It has been maintained and upgraded over the years. It can be a daily driver or the basis for a full rstoration. The previous owner had it repainted its original black, the engine and all related accessories rebuilt (note correct porcelain exhaust manifolds in perfect condition, correct hoses, wiring etc.) and replaced the leather interior, carpeting and glass among other things. The engine starts easily and runs smooth and strong! It has the 'sport' exhaust: Two pipes into the muffler and two pipes out and sounds fantastic!

The walnut burl dashboard, winshield pillars and convertible top surround is all original and in good shape with original varnish. All gauges work except the clock.

Since I have had the car (about 3 years) I have had the oil pressure/water temperature gauge rebuilt, new tachometer cable, brakes rebuilt (new shoes, new master cylinder and all new wheel cylinders and new rubber hoses - drums turned) new front shock absorbers, FIVE new Dunlop steel belt radial tires & tubes, FIVE new 72 spoke (avoid 60 spoke wheels!) Dayton chrome wire wheels & new chrome knock off hubs, new fuel tank and sending unit & new parking brake cables. The parking brake lever has been rechromed. The S.U. carburetors were rebuilt by expert Joe Curto a year ago. It starts and runs great and the transmission shifts fine. There is no rust under the car! The only rust I have found is a very little bit in the battery boxes (normal) and the trunk floor edges where the wood floor boards attach. The floor boards have not been replaced since installing the new petrol tank so it can easily be inspected. The convertible top is an older replacement, but serviceable. The 57228 miles on the car may be correct as it was only 55532 on the last title transfer in 1982. I can find no evidence of body damage.

There are a couple of problems I have encounterd. One: The front brakes start to bind after driving for an hour or so. After cooling down they are fine again. I think it has to do with the automatic adjusters tightening up. It never did it before I had the brakes worked on and the mechanic that did the work can't figure out the problem. Fix this little glitch and you can drive this car all day, anywhere! Two: The choke solenoid that increases the idle speed when the engine is cold sticks sometimes. I just pull the plug after it warms up as it starts fine without it. Three: The front carb fuel float sticks sometimes on the first start of the day. I tap it and it is fine and never sticks again until the next cold start. Four: It needs rear spring bushings replaced as it 'wiggles' a bit between acceleration and deceleration.

Once again - this is not a restored showcar. It is a very original collectors car you can have a ball driving while you fix it up a bit at a time or it can the solid, original, rust-free basis for a full restoration.