1954 Jaguar XK120

1954 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Few convertibles are more iconic than Jaguar's XK line. The first, the XK120, succeeded the famous and successful pre-WWII model, the SS100. The XK caused a sensation at the 1948 London Motor Show, which convinced Jaguar to mass produce it.

Built at the company's Browns Lane facility in Coventry, England, this example is one of 1,472 left-hand drive drophead coupes made between 1948 and 1954 and one of 1,767 drophead coupes made over that same span.

This example underwent a comprehensive restoration and presents with the restored exterior finish, interior upholstery trim components and detailed underbody.

Dressed in red, the car's exterior paint and trim are in excellent condition with minor imperfections. The engine bay is extremely tidy and the chrome bumperettes fit tightly to the body. The drophead coupé (DHC) had a padded, lined canvas top, which folded onto the rear deck behind the seats when retracted and roll-up windows with opening quarter lights. In this example, the soft-top is Khaki colored. The flat glass two-piece windscreen was set in a steel frame that was integrated with the body and painted the same color.

This example rolls on blackwall tires that are mounted on wire wheels. The tires and wheels are in great condition. All XK120s had independent Heynes-designed torsion bar front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, recirculating ball steering, telescopically adjustable steering column and all-round 12-inch drum brakes.

Under the bonnet, (hood) is a dual overhead-cam 3.4 L straight-6 XK engine that was highly advanced for a mass-produced unit of the time, featuring a high-temperature, high-strength aluminum alloy cylinder head, hemispherical combustion chambers, inclined valves and twin side-draft SU carburetors. This example's motor has a tri-carburetor, which provides increased airflow and throttle response compared with the standard arrangement. The XK engine's basic design by William Heynes, later modified into 3.8 and 4.2-litre versions, survived until 1992. Backing this engine is a four-speed manual transmission but note that first gear is not synchronized.

The interior is finished in Biscuit, complete with Connolly leather upholstery and Wilton wool carpeting and mats. The dashboard features burled walnut trim and the same accents the interior door cards, adding a dose of warmth that blends well with the Biscuit interior. The bucket seats are cozy and inviting and call for a quick spin with someone whose company you enjoy. The carpeting and mats look great, the black, four-spoke steering wheel offers great contrast plus it looks fantastic note the odometer is inop. The floor-mounted shifter and emergency brake are period correct.

Competition to this Jaguar in 1954 consisted of – Chevrolet's then-new Corvette, MG's TF roadster, Morgan's Plus 4, Sunbeam's Alpine and Triumph's TR2.

Are you a Jaguar fan? Do you prefer the wind-in-your-hair feel offered by a convertible to a closed coupe?

VIN: 678068
ENIGINE #: 8W9932-85

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.

Key details
Interior: Connolly Biscuit Leather
Transmission: Four - speed manual transmission
VIN / chassis: 678068

Offered by MotoeXotica Classic Cars, 2340 Cassens Dr, St. Louis, MO 63026. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of MotoeXotica Classic Cars.