2010-07-01 16:47:50 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 7/10
www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r

Auction description:
Sale 18213 - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia, 2 Jul 2010
Goodwood Festival of Speed, Chichester, Sussex
Lot No: 345
1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Registration no. XFF 957
Chassis no. 661083
Engine no. W8780-8
Estimate: £75,000 - 95,000

This four-owner XK120, which has covered only 74,586 miles, was sold new to the Chairman of St Hellier Garage, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar dealers for the Channel Islands, who is believed to have kept it until 1977, by which time the car had covered 42,000 miles. (In a letter dated 26th June 1984, written by Nick Faure, who had co-owned the car since 1977 with a Michael Cane, of Michael Cane Racing, he claims that the factory stated that this was the sixth from last XK120 built, although this is not obvious from the chassis number). In 1978/79 Messrs Faure and Cane repainted the car in its original gunmetal livery, overhauled the clutch and brakes, re-chromed some of the brightwork, and replaced the floorboards. At that time the car was said to be 'rust free' and no other work was found to be necessary.
The next owner, a W Cloughton, had the interior fully re-trimmed in red hide in 1984 at a cost of £2,800, including a new hood and new Perspex for the side screens. The interior fittings were re-chromed and the hood and seat frames stove enamelled. This work was carried out by Robert Betteridge & Company Ltd, of Kensington. The car was also repainted in Old English White at around the same time, as evidenced by a bill for £1,900 dated 1986 for restoration of the engine compartment, chassis and suspension, photographs of that work showing the car in white. In 1991 (at 66,662 miles) Oxgate Cars replaced the differential with a reconditioned unit and renewed the engine stabiliser mounting.
The car was purchased by the current owner in 1995 (at 67,716 miles) and inspected by Ken Bell, a Jaguar engineer and consultant, and technical adviser to the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club. Mr Bell summarised it as 'an extremely well preserved vehicle with known history well documented and original low mileage, which has been fastidiously maintained in virtually pristine condition over many years irrespective of cost. Only minor attention to detail could potentially put this vehicle into a concours class contender.'
The present owner has continued to maintain the XK120 to the highest standard. Major works carried out by Jaguar specialists, Bristol Classic and Sportscars, includes replacement of front hub bearings, steering and suspension rubbers, and two brake cylinders in 1998 (at 68,716 miles). In 1999 (at 68,955 miles) a full engine rebuild revealed that the unit had not previously been apart, as all dimensions were standard. Examples of the original Wiman pistons and Vandervell bearing shells have been kept with the car. A C-Type cylinder head was also fitted at that time, supplied in 'unleaded' specification by Jaguar XK specialists, VSE. The original head is available, though it requires repair to corrosion, which is why the engine was stripped at that time.
In 2000 (at 69,300 miles) the water pump was replaced and radiator cleaned and repaired. Since then the owner has also replaced the exhaust system (now stainless steel), shock absorbers, remaining brake cylinders, rear axle oil seals, carburettor seals and tyres during routine maintenance and fitted a Kenlowe electric fan (in 2008). Offered with MoT to May 2011 and Swansea V5, the car is reported to be in excellent condition throughout and is only offered for sale because of the limited use being made of it.

2010-11-05 21:10:29 | pauls writes:

Car returned to auction 9/10
www.historics.co.uk/previous-auctions/25th-september-2010/1953-jaguar-xk120-ots. ...

Auction description:
* Registration: XFF 951
* Chassis Number: 661083
* Engine Number: W8780-8
* Odometer reading: 75,733
* Estimate: £65,000 - £80,000
* Hammer: Not Sold
* Plus Commission: Still Available

The Jaguar XK120 is a sports car which was manufactured by Jaguar between 1948 and 1954. Jaguar's first post-war sports car, it succeeded the SS 100, which ceased production in 1940.

The XK120 was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a testbed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation, which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production. The "120" in its name referred to its 120 mph top speed which made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch.

This beautifully presented Jaguar XK120 is claimed by a past-owner and supposedly confirmed by Jaguar Cars Ltd to be the sixth from last XK120 to be built, therefore the 140 steering wheel and rear light clusters that are on this example are assumed to be original equipment. The cars confirmed first owner was a garage proprietor who lived in St Helens, Jersey who bought this car in 1953 sporting Birch Grey coachwork and Blue trim. Today, the car is presented in glorious Old English White coachwork with superbly nurtured Red leather interior trim and contrasting black canvas roof.

This car was sold by its first owner in 1976 at just 42,000 miles to an address in Farnham, Surrey, where it remained with an enthusiastic owner for eight years. During 1978/79, XFF 951's Farnham based owner instructed Michael Cane racing of Godalming to undertake significant works to the car to include stripping the car to metal, preparing prime and re-painting in Gunmetal Metallic. Further works were carried out to replace clutch mechanism, overhaul clutch and replace wooden floorboards, as well as overhaul the cars brakes. Lastly, all bumpers on the car were re-chromed as necessary.

In 1984, this car was sold to a London based dealer, who, after some £2,800 spent on a beautiful re-trim to today's red leather completed by Kensington based Robert Betteridge & Company Ltd Coach Trimmers, and a thorough service at Classic Autos Hertfordshire swiftly sold this XK140 to its fourth owner, where it remained for nine years from 1986 until 1995 under the license plate '63 RH'.

It was shortly after the car was purchased in 1986 that its new owner enlisted Classic Car Valeting of London to undertake a complete restoration of the engine compartment, chassis and suspension. The photographs from this work show the car in the Old English White coachwork that the car now presented in so although we have no receipt in the history file for the work, we understand that it must have been conducted in late 1985 or 1986 in the care of the third or fourth owner.

From 1995 to 2010, XFF 951 has lived in Chepstow under the careful ownership of a meticulous enthusiast who has amassed a whole host of receipts from reputable Jaguar specialists maintaining the standard of this car. Before his purchase, this gentleman enlisted the services of respected Jaguar Engineer and Consultant, Mr. Ken Bell whom described the car as "An extremely well preserved vehicle with known history well documented and original low mileage, which has been fastidiously maintained in virtually pristine condition over many years, irrespective of cost. Only minor attention to detail could potentially put this vehicle into a concours class contender".

With a wealth of receipts during his ownership from the likes of Jaguar specialists Bristol Classic & Reproduction Cars, plus parts supplied from Guy Broad, Longstone Tyres, XK engineering Ltd, S.N.G Barratt Group and Classic Restorations, Scotland, the car has received major work to include replacement of front hub bearings, steering and suspension rubbers and two brake cylinders in 1998 at 68,715 miles. Shortly after, in January 1999 XFF 951 returned to Bristol Classic & Reproduction Cars this time receiving a full engine rebuild, having the gearbox stripped and rebuilt with clutch renewed, and having the cylinder head replaced by a C-type head supplied and fitted in unleaded form by VSE Jaguar specialists.

An enviable history file is available for inspection along with the car at Brooklands prior to the auction. We invite potential bidders to come and see this car in the flesh as it is an outstanding example and you will not be disappointed. Offered for sale with V5C registration certificate and current MoT certificate through to May 2011, subject to insurance, this car can be driven away by the highest bidder.

2011-07-03 07:25:06 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 7/11
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Auction description:
Lot 142 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
142 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Estimate: £55,000 - £70,000
Registration Number: XFF 951
Chassis Number: S661083

Chassis 661083 is a matching numbers XK120, which we are informed has covered only 75,000 miles from new. The car was sold originally to the Chairman of St. Hellier Garage, Rolls Royce and Jaguar dealers for the Channel Islands, and it is believed it remained in his possession until 1977 when it had completed just 42,000 miles. It is believed that this was the sixth from last XK120 built.

With the previous owner for 15 years, the car has been subject to an older restoration to bodywork, mechanicals, and trim, and has been described by a Jaguar expert as "an extremely well preserved vehicle with known history, well documented and original low mileage, which has been fastidiously maintained in virtually pristine condition over many years irrespective of cost"

Work by Jaguar specialists includes an engine rebuild at 68,955 miles, carried out by Jaguar specialists Bristol Classic and Sportscars Ltd, which included the fitting of a C-Type head, supplied in unleaded form by VSE. The original head is available if required. The rebuilt engine breathes through a custom stainless steel exhaust system.

Work to the brakes and suspension has included replacement shock absorbers, hub bearings, steering and suspension bushes, brake cylinders, and the fitting of new tyres.
To keep the car cool the radiator has been repaired, the water pump replaced and a Kenlowe fan fitted.

Supplied with a UK V5, Heritage Certificate, current and older MoTs, and substantial history file supporting maintenance and repair, this is a wonderful car which is a delight to drive, and in our opinion one of the best XK120s we have seen.

2011-09-27 16:07:25 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 10/8/11
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Lot 141 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Estimate: £55,000 - £65,000
Registration Number: XFF 951
Chassis Number: S661083

2012-02-19 11:29:29 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.coys.co.uk/showrooms.php

2012-02-23 10:30:06 | pauls writes:

Car returns to auction 3/12
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Lot 323 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Estimate: £50,000 - £60,000
Registration Number: XFF 951
Chassis Number: S661083

2012-07-02 21:32:01 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 7/12
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Lot 156 - 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Estimate: £50,000 - £60,000
Registration Number: XFF 951
Chassis Number: 661083

2012-08-23 14:23:25 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
www.coys.co.uk/showrooms.php

2012-11-22 08:59:40 | pauls writes:

Car to return to Coy's auction 12/4/12
www.coys.co.uk/auction.php

Lot 607 1953 Jaguar XK120 - 6th last built
Estimate: £48,000 - £58,000
Registration Number: XFF 951
Chassis Number: 661083

2019-03-13 09:39:51 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

pendine.com/portfolio/1953-jaguar-xk120-roadster/

Seller's description:

This is a lovely XK120 Roadster. The ownership history is known from new; it was originally sold to the Chairman of St. Hellier’s Garage, the Rolls-Royce and Jaguar dealers for the Channel Islands, who kept the car until 1977. The second owner was renowned Porsche racer Nick Faure (co-owning it with Michael Cane Racing), who wrote to a later custodian confirming he had bought the car directly off of the original owner.

There is 35 years of invoicing on file, with MOT’s dating back to 1984 and paperwork showing an engine rebuild in 2013. It drives like a well maintained XK, with excellent door shuts and patina that suggests a cared for existence. A standard specification XK120 with no bells and whistles – a simple, orthodox Home Market Roadster.

2019-03-14 01:38:02 | Jeremy B writes:

One would have hoped that, for all the work done on this car over several years, it would have been fitted with XK 120 tail lights.

(I am too polite to mention that they couldn't be bothered to get the rear wing beading correct.)