2012-12-29 22:20:18 | terry mcgrath writes:

Ben Grundy
Cambridgeshire UK

Car 1954 xk120 DHC
Chassis number 667254 Engine number 2892-8
gearbox JL 22432
body P2574
These numbers correspond including the engine block but the
cylinder head has been replaced at some point. Probably from
a scap car as it has the earlier number W2526_7

2026-03-13 06:56:25 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

www.themarket.co.uk/en/listings/jaguar/xk120-dhc/c87e9176-178e-4ad7-9847-1561b08 ...

Seller's description:

1954 Jaguar XK120 DHC

Estimated value £45,000 - £55,000

14-year Restoration

Lots of Work Done

In Very Good Order

VIN 667254

44,642 miles (indicated)

3442cc

manual

Bentley Brewster green

Biscuit leather

Right-hand drive

Vehicle location THE MARKET HQ, United Kingdom

“ Lovingly restored over 14-years, with some subtle modifications to improve performance and ride in the modern era. ”

Correct numbers for engine block, gearbox, Salisbury rear axle. The B type cylinder head is from the 1960s giving peak torque at lower revs. Engine rebuilt by Ivor Searle including full dynamic balancing, modern rear crank seal modifications, tappet guides locked, valves and seats for unleaded. Diaphragm clutch. All new brake hydraulic system components including pipes, drums and linings. Five new MWS wire wheels with Blockley tyres, new hubs and spinners. New chassis, modified for telescopic rear shock absorbers (original chassis is available).

Finished in Brewster Green, comes from Bentley’s palette of colours, with a biscuit leather interior, ‘GRG 690’ is a 1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé that’s been carefully restored and improved over the past 14 years to better meet the needs of 21st century roads and traffic.

Ivor Searle, the well-known engine specialist, rebuilt the XK120’s heart at great cost in 2018, a job that included full dynamic balancing, modifying the rear crank seal to the modern type, locking the tappet guides, and fitting hardened valves and seats for unleaded petrol amongst much more.

The engine itself has the correct numbers for the year and benefits from the later B-type cylinder head for even better torque at low revs. The gearbox, Salisbury rear axle, and body numbers are all correct for the year too, and the clutch is a diaphragm type.

Of course, the braking system was gone through too, with new brake pipes, drums, and linings being fitted as a matter of course. The seller assures us that the brakes now lock under heaving braking, something that isn’t always the case with the XK120.

The radiator was re-cored by Anglian Radiators, the exhaust is made of stainless-steel, and it has the correct rear window in the new hood.

This car been in the seller’s care since 2007 and showing just one former keeper on the V5.

Exterior

The condition of the panels, which are pretty much flawless in both alignment and condition; consistent shutlines are a given with a restoration of this quality and the panel alignment is further showcased by an unbroken line from the flowing front wings through to the XK120’s muscular haunches.

There are no dents, dinks, or other significant damage either – and of course, rust simply isn’t an issue.

Much of the external brightwork was either replaced or rechromed including the two-piece front bumper, which was supplied by Coventry Auto Components and installed with a new fitting kit. Classic Bumper Services caried out the re-chroming, which looks as good now as it did when the firm finished it five years ago.

The MWS wire wheels still look like new with no tarnishing, pitting, or rust – however, should you prefer the look of the originals, then the five black wire wheels that used to be fitted are also included in the auction.

The folding roof is in a very good condition with no rips, tears, or holes. It fits well too, and the only issue we’re aware of is “a mistake was made with the hood fitting so that the rear window panel cannot be unzipped.”

It sits neatly beneath a cover when it is folded, and fits like a drum when it is raised – and it probably won’t surprise you to learn that it transitions between the two states smoothly and easily.

You may notice the bonnet badge, which is a repro made to look patinated.

As for flaws, there is a chip to the trailing edge of the driver’s door, with a few more chips being present to the boot lid and aperture, and around the fuel filler cap. There is also an inch-long crack in the bonnet near the radiator, something that is a common fault, as well as marks on the offside front wing just in front of the mirror and on the wheelarch.

Interior

The owner’s ethos of carefully modifying his Jaguar to better meet the demands of the modern world continues inside where contemporary bucket seats sit on new runners – and while we’re on the subject of modifications, a lightweight 3.5kw heater has also been fitted.

We think both of these changes are sensible upgrades that in no way detract from the XK120’s old world charm.

Because it is still incredibly charismatic thanks to a set of white-on-black Smiths instruments that are set into a unblemished burr walnut dashboard, a huge, almost vertical steering wheel that has just the right amount of aging to it, and some of the neatest and most stylish carpets we’ve seen in a long time.

The door cards are trimmed in the same biscuit leather as the seats too, and the handbrake and gearlever gaiters have been crafted to match.

As for the new seats, they’re not only supremely comfortable and very supportive but their period-appropriate design suits the cockpit perfectly; whoever chose them chose well.

The headlining is clean, taut, and undamaged, and other nice features include a glovebox and a slide-out drawer that are both so exquisitely trimmed they could be the components of a jewellery box.

Pretty much everything still looks new and minty-fresh, and we are told that everything works bar the clock.

(Those with an eye for originality will also note the original temperature gauge is supplemented by a digital one; the factory instrument stopped working a while ago and while the replacement wasn’t intended to last this long, as we all know, there’s nothing more permanent than a temporary fix.)

Mechanical

The mechanical work that has been carried out is detailed in the introduction, and the invoices are online: The TL:DR is that the engine was rebuilt by one of the most respected names in the business, the suspension has been subtly upgraded by the installation of a new and modified chassis, and the braking and cooling systems both work as they should after being extensively refurbished.

This is not a car upon which corners have been cut.

And it shows in every area, including the cosmetics because the engine bay is so neat, clean, and understated that we’re not sure we’d have noticed that the air filter isn’t the original if the seller hadn’t mentioned it. (It’s also tucked away in front of the re-cored radiator, so is more inconspicuous than you might think, adds a lovely induction rasp and, almost certainly, a tiny bit more power.)

This is all bad news if you enjoy reviving tired engine bays but good news for everyone else: Just swipe a feather duster over it, rock up at your local classic car show, pop the bonnet, and tell ‘em where you’d like the rosette putting.

On a more practical note, the major service items are accessible, so home maintenance would be a delight.

On an even more practical note, it starts well, idles as smoothly as only a straight-six can, and revs like a 3.4-litre sewing machine.

It also drives as well as you’d expect given the care, attention to detail, and money that’s been lavished on it, with the more compliant suspension being immediately noticeable. It also makes all the right noises at all the right times, something that adds immeasurably to the experience, especially with the roof down.

The underside is as clean and neatly laid out as the engine bay, featuring plenty of new parts including copper brake lines, braided hoses, shiny fasteners, straight panels, well-painted wheelarches, new Polybushes, and a stainless-steel exhaust.

History

The Jaguar doesn’t have a current MoT certificate. The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, but it shows the car as being grey, as does the V5 Registration Certificate, so you might like to tell the DVLA about the change of colour.