Lot 368: 1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Body no. P1441

The star of the 1948 London Motor Show, Jaguar�s XK120 redefined the term �British sports car.� Making its debut at Earl�s Court that October, the XK120 was streamlined and slinky, the antithesis of traditional look espoused by MG, Morgan and Singer. Customers gave it a warm welcome, vindicating Jaguar chief William Lyons� decision to start production in July.

The modern looks of the XK120 were matched by the engineering under its skin. A sturdy box-section chassis was independently sprung at the front, with torsion bars and control arms; the live rear axle rode on long semi-elliptic leaf springs. Brakes were Lockheed hydraulic drum units, with twin leading shoes and a generous 12inch diameter.

The heart and soul of the new car were ensconced in a 3,442cc dual-overhead-cam six. It had begun life as a two-liter four-cylinder design. Engineer Harry Weslake had experimented with a number of advanced designs, of which the four, with hemispherical combustion chambers and large main bearings, was the most promising. It would have been a serious competitor to the TR-series sports cars being developed by rival Standard Motor Company, but Lyons had no such intent. Instead, Weslake was directed to add two cylinders to his engine. That done, low-end torque was a bit lacking, so the stroke was lengthened, resulting in the 3.4-liter final displacement. Twin SU H6 carburetors fed it well enough to develop 160bhp at 5,200rpm. The �120� in its model name came from its expected top speed, a mark it easily surpassed.

The first models were roadsters, built in aluminum. After the first 242 units, construction was shifted to steel. A handsome fixed-head coupe joined the roadster in 1951. There was, however, demand for an open car that better protected its occupants from foul weather, so for 1953 a convertible with roll-up windows, �drophead coup�� in the British parlance, was introduced. This was, however, a niche market, and the roadster remained the most popular model, with more than 12,000 built between 1948 and 1954. The fixed-head coupe and drophead, partly reflecting their later introductions, were much rarer, with not quite 2,700 of the former and slightly fewer than 1,800 of the latter built.

Beautifully restored in archetypal British Racing Green over Biscuit leather, this XK120 Drophead Coup� was an excellent example even before work began. Owned by a Jaguar Club North America Concours judge, it achieved second-in-class honors prior to renovation; its first outing afterwards yielded a score of 9.981, just 0.071 better than before. The paint is high quality, with no surface imperfections and virtually no blemishes or damage. The body panels are all straight and true. The brightwork is extremely nice, with only the slightest signs of pitting in some areas. The glass and lighting are excellent, the latter including a pair of Lucas auxiliary lamps.

The interior has been comprehensively restored, set off by the walnut dashboard and door trims, all free of warping or cracking and polished to a high luster. The leather seats and carpet are similarly very nice, and the convertible top, also restored, fits well. The instruments and switches have been carefully restored.

The luggage and engine compartments are both extremely clean and well detailed. The latter retains its original glass washer bottle, and the car�s wiring harness has the correct fabric insulation and color coding. A beautiful pair of reproduction fitted suitcases are included, in biscuit leather to match the interior.

The undercarriage is well detailed and nearly spotless, with no signs of corrosion or damage. The engine has been recently tuned, with new seals, gaskets and vacuum advance unit. The carburetors and fuel mixture were adjusted, and dwell and timing set. A compression test showed all cylinders within the acceptable range. One of the nicest XK120 Drophead Coupes, this car is sure to please. It comes with a correct period jack, spare wheel and tire.