Auction Date: 19 July 2011

Lot 244 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé

• Registration: 879YUC
• Chassis Number: 677102
• Engine Number: W8365-8
• Odometer reading: 63,000
• Estimate: £62,000-£70,000
• Hammer: Not sold
• Plus Commission: Still Available

The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954 and was Jaguar's first post-war sports car which succeeded the SS100 that ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show car for the new Jaguar XK six cylinder engine. It caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production and the "120" in its name referred to its 120mph top speed, this made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two convertible versions; first as the roadster, then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and as a closed fixedhead coupé from 1951.  The DHC was a more deluxe model, featuring a beautiful wood dashboard and wood features on the door interiors. The XK120 was aimed primarily at the US market and the fixed head coupé was constructed in relatively small numbers with approximately 2,680 units produced (combined left and righthand drive) compared with approximately 7,614 Roadsters. In late 1954, the XK120 was succeeded by the XK140 which benefitted from enhanced engineering to benefit the new model not only as a road going tourer, but as a serious motorsport contender.

This lefthand drive Jaguar XK120 was supplied new to the west coast of America and was then purchased and imported to the United Kingdom in 2011 from Washington DC. Restored around twenty years ago, it retains many of the original features, finished in red with contrasting light tan interior, the car was checked and re-commission when it arrived in the UK by the XK specialists Brian Stevens who replaced a number of parts including engine mounts and other rubber components. New cross ply white wall tyres have just been fitted to be in keeping with the original American specification. The car drives extremely well with no movement in the body, the indications by the way the car handles and drives that the mileage of 63,000 miles could be correct but unfortunately there exists no history to substantiate the mileage.   879YUC is a 'numbers correct' car which comes with a United Kingdom V5C registration document and is offered with MoT road test certificate valid until 31^st March 2012 and a Jaguar Heritage certificate. A very rare opportunity to acquire highly original and unmolested XK120 drophead Coupé. With originality being so important in today's marketplace, this car represents an ideal investment for the prudent collector.