2006-02-09 23:46:15 | Daniel Shanahan writes:

Supposedly raced at Pebble Beach with the supercharger and magneto installed. Customized prior to 1961 when purchased by Irwin Thiessen who owned it until 2005.

2006-08-31 07:40:37 | pauls writes:

Car offered for sale in Hemmings.
www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/jaguar/xk_120se/315945.html

2006-09-09 09:51:02 | pauls writes:

Car comes to ebay 9/9/06
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-XK-120-Special-Equipment-Jaguar-XK-120-72-000-mil ...
Current bid $12,107, no reserve, 17 bids, 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
This car shows 71, 176 miles and we believe it is correct. Jim inherited the car from his uncle Irvin R. Thiessen a couple of years ago. Uncle Irv purchased it in 1961 and it was licensed in his name in California until he died. The Black License plates issued in 1963 are still on the car.

Thiessen family lore has it that the car was raced on the West Coast but we do not yet have any proof.

The car was always stored indoors and occasionally driven. Jim and I overhauled the brakes, and with very little tinkering got it running. It drives well, but has a slight miss in the engine which smokes very little. It does not overheat and leaks only a little oil. The brakes, fuel, and cooling systems are tight. The instruments, lights, etc. all function correctly.

There is no rust of any kind in the car, and it does not appear that there ever has been. It does not look as if the car was modified as the result of a crash, as the inner panels ahead of the radiator are perfect.

The Heritage Trust Certificate provides that it is a Special Equipment model, which means it was fitted with wire wheels and dual exhaust at the factory. We’ve been told that the SE was also a designation for engine modifications but do not know if that is true.

Its original color was Battleship Grey with red interior and a Black hood. It was built November 12, 1953 and sold to Vernon O Wells in Redwood City California on April 27, 1954.

The serial number #S674300, Engine #F1050-8S, Body# F6451, Gearbox #JL6451 are on the Heritage Certificate and agree with the original identification plate attached to the car.

The body number is correct as is the chassis number stamped in the frame. However, the engine block and matching cylinder head currently in the car are #W9173-8. We have not checked the gear box number or the final drive to determine its number or axle ratio.

Modifications to the car include:
1. removal of the original head lights.
2. removal of the original taillights, number plate-backup light and deck lid handle.
3. removal of the original grill
4. in 1961 it had a racing windscreen and mirror.
5. installation of Porsche speedster headlights.
6. installation of custom tail lights.
7. installation of a mesh grille.
8. One repaint prior to 1961, to British Racing Green
9. Dying the interior Black.
10. It has a magneto in place of the original distributor.

The following are included with the car.
Accessories:
Arnott-Corey supercharger, with carburetor, manifold and pulleys. Made in England by Carburettors, LTD
Smiths & Sons Radiomobile. 2 Band 12v positive
2 original Lucas flamethrowers
Windwings
Magneto on the engine.

Parts:
Front Bumper Brackets
Air Cleaner
License plate-backup light.
Convertible top with 1960 Receipt and instructions.
Side Curtains
Tonneau Cover

Spares, used:
Factory Shop manual
4 wiper motors
4 SU fuel pumps
5 SU carburettors
Lucas coil & bracket
3:54 ring and pinion
2 Engines, #G1352-8S, and #A4695-8,
Voltage Regulator
Generator
3 wire wheels
Racing rear view mirror shown in the 1961 photos

Spares, new:
Deck lid handle and keys
Magneto cap
Box of Dunlop wire wheel spokes, 2 inner tubes
Fan Belt
Fender beading
Pedal pad
2 packages piston rings
4 oil seals, oil filter
2 wheel bearings, 1 ball joint
2 sets connecting rod bearings and a set of main bearings
Fuel tank screen

2006-09-12 08:39:57 | pauls writes:

Car advertised in 8/28/06 AutoWeek magazine. Description:
Modified prior to '61, raced, supercharger, magneto, spares, never rusty, any info prior to '61 would be appreciated. $65k.

2006-10-16 20:28:03 | pauls writes:

Above auction ended at $35,000 after 33 bids.

2019-12-22 07:15:28 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

woodham-mortimer.com/Cars/For-Sale/1953-Jaguar-XK120-34-SE-Roadster-LHD/15371c8b ...

Seller's description:

This is a very interesting Jaguar XK120 Roadster was delivered new to California.

Manufactured on November 12th 1953 and dispatched from the Browns Lane factory on December 7th 1953.

Delivered new to Mr Vernon O. Wells of Redwood City, California, via official distributor Chas Hornburg in April 1954.

By 1961 the XK had been modified with Porsche Speedster style front headlights, a louvered bonnet, recessed rear lights and a mesh front grille.

The next recorded owner was Mr Irvin R. Thiessen who would go on to own the car for another 44 years until passing it to his Nephew James.

The Jaguar Heritage certificate confirms the XK as a Special Equipment model that was finished originally in Battleship Grey with a red interior and black soft top.

A Superb and original car with a lovely patina, in which the current Monte-Carlo based owner has enjoyed travelling around Europe, including driving it from his home in Monaco to our showroom in Essex.

The car is accompanied by a detailed history file that includes period photographs of the car and receipts for maintenance and parts during the 1960’s.

An opportunity to acquire a highly original car with rare features. Woodham Mortimer are able to conduct a concours level restoration to either its original factory specification or its current modified configuration, or a preservation type restoration conserving the cars originality. We rather love it as it is currently!

2023-03-13 10:30:59 | Dan writes:

Believed to be an original George Barris customization. Owned by Daniel Shanahan and featured on 'Mystery Cars' website. Shanahan family stories have this as being an 'original' Barris creation!

Excerpt: From Paul Richards:"I was intrigued by Daniel Shanahan’s XK120 when it was first posted and nobody seems to have come forward with much information for him. I thought it looked like a missing link between the racing C type (which properly should be referred to as an XK120C) and the XK road cars. 

The truth behind the styling may not be as a direct result of a competition orientation at all. At the weekend I visited a Jaguar specialist here in the UK who has two similar looking cars. One is an XK120 lightweight that does actually have C type faired in headlamps. His other car is very similar to Daniel’s and he informed me that it was one of seven XK120s that George Barris restyled. Apparently new cars were shipped to Barris and he used Porsche 356 headlamps and buckets to achieve a very similar look to the C type lights. Why or how this arrangement came about I do not know.

The car I saw in England was not supercharged but was wearing Borrani alloy rim wire wheels, which, I was told, was also part of the Barris ‘package’ –- Daniels car does not appear to have these, however. 

Looking again at the photos on your site, the rear lights look to have been ‘frenched’ - another clue to it being a Barris car?