2024-04-16 07:54:31 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1954-jaguar-xk120-dhc-8EmNV8

Seller's description:

1954 Jaguar XK120

Colour Blue

Odometer 80,057 Miles

Engine size 3400

Seller Type Trade

Town Zwartsluis

Country Netherlands

Beautiful factory-correct Pastel Blue DHC

One of the very last built and despatched

Older restoration in very good order 

Retrimmed interior in factory-correct colours 

BMIHT chassis records certificate 

Matching numbers car

First registered in late 1954

Factory built on 1st July 1954 and despatched on 17th August 1954

Factory supplied for export but destination not known at the time of writing 

BMIHT certificate confirms chassis number and engine and gearbox numbers match 

Retains its Pastel Blue paintwork and blue interior factory colour combination 

Of the 1,472 LHD DHC XK120s built only 763 were non-SE models like this one 

Final LHD DHC XK120 chassis number was 678472 and this is car 678422

First registered in the Netherlands on 10th November 2011

The Condition

Original factory-correct paintwork and interior confirmed by BMIHT certificate

Finished in smart Pastel Blue with older restoration in good current order

Bodywork presents in good order with clean lines and good door and panel fit

Original French Grey factory hood now replaced with black mohair roof 

Steel wheels with matching body colour trim and chrome hub caps

Chromework in good, apparently original condition with well kept bright finish 

Underside presents well with visible undersealing across surfaces

Retrimmed interior in light blue leather with theme carried to piping for tonneau and carpets

Black tonneau and carpets in good order

Well kept interior with stylish DHC wood veneer dashboard in good condition 

Where the OTS was aimed at more sporting XK120 buyers, the DHC was built for those seeking a more luxurious and upmarket feel. That sense is reflected in this beautiful car’s interior which is lavishly trimmed in walnut wood veneer, one of the lovely distinguishing features of the XK that heavily influenced subsequent Jaguar interiors. 

The car is in very good order, likely reflecting an older restoration. This work carefully replicated the factory-correct specification, including the tasteful Pastel Blue paintwork and blue interior. The work has been done to a high standard and holds up very well. 

The Mechanics 

3.4litre Jaguar XK straight six engine developing 160bhp 

Twin SU carburettors

4spd ‘Moss’ gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears

We understand this is a matching numbers car 

No reported running or other mechanical issues to advise

The XK120 may have won hearts in showrooms across the world, particularly in Hollywood, but it was built to deliver one result: Le Mans success. William Lyons’ belief in ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ meant customers got access to the engine that was delivered for racing success - the venerable XK straight six. This motor proved so good and so enduring that it powered Jaguars into the 1980s. 

Aficionados believe that the smaller capacity XK units, particularly the 3.4 displacement, deliver the sweetest-revving experience. This XK120 left the factory as one of 763 ‘standard’ 160bhp LHD DHC cars and is reported to be a matching numbers car in good mechanical health.