Lot 163 - 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster

Manufactured in 19th March 1954 and painted blue with a contrasting red leather interior, it was subsequently dispatched from Browns Lane on 3rd May 1954 and shipped to the U.S. It was then sold by Hornburg of Los Angeles to a Mr. A. Masearo carrying a Californian registration CLZ 933. Interestingly, Hornburg had only just started trading back in the late 1940s but are still going strong today and still specialising in Jaguar/Land Rover. It continued to spend almost its entire life in sunny California before, recently, acquired from a Mr. J. Riffenberg of Santa Cruz as a sound and original, rust-free car in remarkable condition.

It was re-patriated back to UK by Mr. R. Thredder, something of a specialist in this field. It should be noted, in fact, that there are few ‘old-school’ engineers with a greater knowledge of pre and post-war motorcars than Bob Thredder. His workshop contains some of the greatest examples of motoring and motorsport excellence in the UK. There is no such thing as a ‘quick visit’ to see Mr. Thredder.

This Jaguar was to be his own, however. Immaculately put together to his own high standards and to his own specifications. Initially stripped back to bare metal, it was found to be corrosion and filler-free, it was then converted to righthand drive using the correct parts before repainting. A new wiring loom was then installed with spurs to include additional front fog lamps by way of a nod to the original competition XKs back in the 1950s. This also included an aluminium bonnet with works-style louvres and leather bonnet strap with total works exceeding £40,000

The steering was overhauled, as were the shock absorbers with Goodridge disc brakes fitted to the front with painted wire wheels, plus spinners and shod with new Blockley tyres and inner tubes. The (original) engine, of course, required the utmost attention and, as such, was rebuilt by Bob Thredder himself then sent away to Swaymar Engineering, specialists in hand-built performance engines based in Horsham, West Sussex, to be balanced, a process that can transform these units. The flywheel has also been lightened and balanced and performance is also enhanced by the addition of a six-branch stainless steel manifold leading to a stainless-steel exhaust system and ending in SE-spec desirable twin tail pipes. An aluminium radiator aids cooling and the unit, as a whole, runs beautifully. There are numerous invoices detailing works completed as well as a Heritage Certificate, UK V5C, NOVA documentation and road tax. Stunning.