To be sold at the Gooding & Company Amelia Island Auction on March 8, 2013. For further details please visit www.goodingco.com or contact a vehicle specialist at 001.310.899.1960 or specialist@goodingco.com.
Engine Specifications:
3,781 CC DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Three SU Carburetors
265 BHP at 5,500 RPM
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Front Independent Wishbone Suspension with Torsion Bars and Anti-Roll Bar
Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
About this Car:
As reflected by its chassis number, this sensational XK120 is the 377th left-hand-drive example of a total of 1,471 drop head coupes made between 1953 and 1954. The superbly restored car was originally retailed through well-known importer Max Hoffman, eventually coming into the care of Barbara Winter of St. Louis, Missouri, by the 1980s. Mrs. Winter had the engine rebuilt in June 1988, and her membership in the Jaguar Association of Greater St. Louis suggests a dedicated appreciation of the sporty XK.
In 1989, Mrs. Winter sold the car to a Jaguar enthusiast who commissioned a full body-off restoration. The body was stripped to bare metal and repainted in urethane black, while the chassis was disassembled, cleaned, and refinished in satin black. The brakes and suspension were rebuilt, a new wiring loom and a stainless steel sport exhaust system were installed, and the wire wheels were refurbished by British Wire Wheel of Santa Cruz, California. The interior received similar attention, with custom hand- sewn Connolly leather, Wilton wool carpets, and an English wool headliner hand-prepared by VIP European Auto Interiors. The owner soon presented this restoration at JCNA gatherings, where the car reportedly scored as high as 99.95 points in 1995.
In August 1996, the beautifully restored XK120 was acquired by its current owner, a collector who resides part-time in Pebble Beach. Ultimately deciding that the standard 3.4-liter engine was not powerful enough for his taste, the consignor retained the respected firm, Antique AutoRestorationofnearbySeaside,California, to conduct an engine upgrade. Proprietors Ricky and Randy Reed sourced a proper 3.8-liter Jaguar XK motor from a late XK150S, and rebuilt it to blueprinted specifications with comprehensive balancing for optimal performance.
Once fitted to the lithe XK120 chassis, the new engine provided performance dividends, which the consignor enjoyed in modest bursts, as he only visited his Pebble Beach home a few months out of each year. Consequently, the car has accrued approximately 2,500 miles since the engine upgrade. Maintained as needed by the Reeds over the past 16 years, including a recent brake inspection and fluid servicing in preparation for its current availability, this powerful and beautifully maintained XK120 is accompanied by a tool kit, jack, and tire pump. It is ideally prepared to deliver the singular thrill of British open-air luxury motoring, and promises to receive a warm welcome at vintage events and JCNA shows.
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