1953 Jaguar XK120 SE OTS - Reasonable Reserve

1953 Jaguar XK120 SE (M) OTS

 

INTRODUCTION & BRIEF HISTORY

This is one really lovely and fun old car. Why don't we start by going for a ride?  While this video won't win any academy awards you can get the idea a little bit better than from a still quiet photo. Jump in for an 8 minute ride last Sunday (April. ) on You Tube.

http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=EEn6MJyVmh4&feature=youtube_gdata

S673724 was built March 9. 1953 and dispatched from the factory on March 17. 1953 making the car just over 60 years old this month. It was originally sent to the US distributor. Chas. Hornburg of Los Angeles. and initially sold to Mr. R. C. Zina of Hopkins Minnesota.

 

While it is not a hangar queen. it is a great car to drive. it is excellent structurally.  lovely and completely rust free and mechanically sound.

 

If you curiosity is piqued. photos in addition to those posed on ebay can be seen at my gallery website. The third photo on the right at the top is a shor video of it starting and running. The ticking sound at the end is the fuel pump (which is under the passenger's seat. The still photo are at:

https://plus. google. com/photos/115622532594031447064/albums/5865829046972107089?authkey=CMCpmKj27JGkQQ

VALUE TRENDS

The following data were generated by Hagerty Insurance's valuation tool through December 2012.

1953 Jaguar XK120 (SE) M

2dr Roadster 6-cyl. 3442cc/180hp 2bbl

Value change over time

Date

Condition 4

Condition 3

Condition 2

Condition 1

Dec 2012

$72. 00

$102. 00

$119. 00

$140. 00

Aug 2012

$72. 00

$102. 00

$119. 00

$140. 00

Apr 2012

$72. 00

$102. 00

$119. 00

$140. 00

Dec 2011

$70. 00

$97. 00

$116. 00

$133. 00

Sep 2011

$70. 00

$97. 00

$116. 00

$133. 00

Apr 2011

$70. 00

$97. 00

$116. 00

$133. 00

Dec 2010

$74. 00

$102. 00

$121. 00

$136. 00

Aug 2010

$74. 00

$102. 00

$120. 00

$136. 00

Apr 2010

$75. 00

$104. 00

$122. 00

$138. 00

Dec 2009

$75. 00

$104. 00

$122. 00

$137. 00

The average value for this vehicle is:  $96. 62*

Source: http://www. hagerty. com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vc=878136 

NADA reported the following on May 20. 2013

1953 Jaguar XK 120 (M)

2 Door Sport Roadster Open Two Seater

 Original 
MSRPLow 
RetailAverage 
RetailHigh 
RetailBase Price$3. 45$44. 00$71. 00$126. 00Options: (edit options)ADD-M (SE) 15%15%15%TOTAL PRICE:$3. 45$51. 20$81. 95$144. 00

In terms of condition the car is in the 2-. 3+ range therefore it is priced fairly.

NUMBERS

According to the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) certificate accompanying the car. the numbers are partially matching. or partially non-matching.   In any interpretation it is not a numbers matching car.   It is however completely correct specification. and the numbers do not keep I from being a beautiful high end driver.

The VIN/Chassis Number S673724 corresponds to the engine number (the important part differentiating it as an SE or “M”).   The cylinder head on the engine # W7481-8S corresponds to the JDHT. the “S” in the VIN and Engine # indicating that the car is an “SE”.   The block. however. with indicating # B-1973-8 does not correspond to the cylinder head or the JDHT. and research of the block number indicates that it came from a 1952 Mark VII built in August 1952. This is virtually identical to the XK120 block.  

Finally the transmission # JL20115 on the both the case and the transmission cover. does not correspond to the JDHT which is JL15877 indicating that the transmission in the car is identical to the original. but came from later XK 120 or 140 

MILEAGE 

The indicated mileage reading at this writing is 53003. After 59½ years this is almost certainly incorrect. Although functioning and while the speedometer and the tach were the only Smiths instruments in the car when I bought it. the fact that the tach at that time . incorrectly swept left to right rather than right to left cast doubt upon the speedometer's originality as well. Add to that likelihood of speedometer stops. starts and disconnects as well as possible turnover(s) and guessing the mileage would appear to be futile.

ELECTRICS AND WIRING 

The car was fitted with a new set of wiring harnesses in 2011. All of the instruments with the exception of the speedometer were replaced with correct versions for the car. All of the switches in the dash were replaced with the correct switches (a mixture of used and rebuilt). The headlights and running lights are reliable. Most of the rest of the Lucas electrics work most of the time. The battery was new in 2010.

IGNITION

The original ignition was upgraded to a pertronix electronic ignition with a Pertronix distributor and coil. (The original distributor and coil will also accompany the car). The ignition wires and spark plugs are new and correct.

ENGINE & CLUTCH

The car has been driven on a regular basis at least back through the mid 80's. Oil pressure is in excess of 50 lbs hot. It pulls extremely well and runs very smoothly. It leaks the about expected amount for a 3. 4 Jag engine. It does not smoke once warmed.

The clutch. pressure plate. throw-out bearing. pilot bushing as well as the U- joint and drive shaft fittings were replaced in August 2012 in conjunction with the replacement of the flywheel.   This was necessary due to a failed ring gear on the original flywheel. As aprecaution a new high energy starter was replaced so that all of the gears were new.

COOLING SYSTEM

The cooling system is in stock configuration with the exception of an auxiliary fan controlled by a manual switch under the dash. The car geberally runs with the temperature gauge directly straight up in the middle. When the temperature exceeds 90 F as it sometimes does in sometimes in Boulder. the fan becomes a necessity if the car slows down to stop and go traffic (I've been informed that this is the case with almost all 120s that are driven). The water pump and all of the water hoses and belts were replaced in 2011.

GAS TANK & FUEL SYSTEM

The gas tank and all fuel lines are tight and solid. The original specification SU electric fuel pump was replaced by the owner shortly before I bought the car. The original twin SU carburetors have been completely rebuilt. re-bushed and cosmetically restored by Dana Britten of sucarbs. com. in Wichita Kansas.   The Petrol gauge is period correct (replacing a SW gauge) and is intermittent and gets stuck at times.

STARTER & CHARGING SYSTEM

The car was equipped with a modern high energy starter when I bought it and consequently had been converted to negative ground with the original generator and voltage regulator installed and functioning. The starter however was replaced in August 2012 with a new high energy starter as a conservative measure to coincide with the installation of the new flywheel and to ensure that there were no worn teeth on either unit.

During the restoration. for increased reliability and function. a Lucas alternator was installed. The original generator (still works) will accompany the sale of the car. The original regulator is still in place and has been used as recommended as a junction box and to maintain he appearance of originality

TRANSMISSION & DRIVE TRAIN

The car has the original specification Moss gearbox with non-synchronized 1st gear. although it is not the unit originally supplied with the car. The Moss gearbox functions as well and as smoothly its design limitations permit. with no problems with synchros on 2nd or 3rd gear. As previously mentioned the clutch set and flywheel were just replaced and the driveshaft refurbished as needed.

STEERING & SUSPENSION  

The steering unit is stock and a function as well as the design allows. The front and rear shocks are in good condition and function as they should. The front coil and rear elliptical springs function as they should.  

BRAKES

The master brake cylinder was replaced by the previous owner shortly before I bought the car.   The brakes are in good condition and function as they should

BODY & FRAME

The body of the car is excellent.   There is no evidence of rust. or frame damage.   The panels are straight and remarkable free of dings.   The only evidence of prior collision was moderate damage (and repair) to the quarter panel behind the driver. and the inner adjacent inner fender. The only evidence of rust on the car anywhere was at the bottom of the driver's side battery box and this was extremely minor.

There is are some scratches by the rear bumpers (see picture) and 2 or 3 barely visible chips in the rest of the car.

Some have commented about the appropriateness of the chrome side lights on a 53 model.  The changeover to the integrated lights occurred in October/November of 1952. This car was built on March 9. 1953. I consulted several JCNA experts regarding this and they said in 53 the hand built 120s were still "parts bin" cars and it possible it was built that way. The other possibility of course is that it was repaired and/or modified.  It never really mattered to me since I prefer the chrome side lights.  

The car drives and tracks straight. Pictures of the structure when the car was dismantled are on my photo gallery website.  

GLASS

The only glass is the windshield and it is in excellent condition. One of the panels is new. The only defect is in the other panel and it is a small very small crack (in pictures) in the center post upper corner and is barely visible. It folds back on itself and is going nowhere.

SEATS & INTERIOR

A complete original specification biscuit and red interior has been installed professionally by Mastercraft of Arvada Colorado. All of the welts and rubber have been replaced. The interior handles. and switches are all new or in good condition. The trunk has been restored with hardura mats and panels to OEM specification. The entire horn/directional mechanism was replaced with a new original specification unit. The seat frames and tracks are new (They appear missing in some of the photos because I occasionally remove the bottom frame and tracks when driving a lot in order to gain a few more inches of legroom)

WHEELS & TIRES

The Jag comes with two sets of wheels.   The whitewalls on the red wheels are 600-16 B. F Goodrich bias ply tires that still have a fair amount of tread and provide a smooth ride.   The car was driven on these for at least the past 5 or 6 years.

The set of tires on the body color wheels are very old original Dunlop Racing tires. They are not cracked. have a lot of tread and are great looking tires.   Due to their age they are quite hard and not recommended for driving beyond a short distance. however they are excellent for shows.

CHROME

The chrome and stainless steel are in new or generally excellent condition. The only minor exception is that one of the grill vertical bars was loose and had to be repaired. but it is hardly visible.   Also one of the rear bumper mounts caused minor damage to the exit hole.  

TOP AND SIDE CURTAINS

The top and side curtains are new as is the top frame. The top is a Robbins Everfast with a 3 zipper plastic window. Upon researching the tops with the Robbins guru. he confirmed that both plastic and glass windows were offered new from the factory. The side curtains were custom made on reproduction frames by Mastercraft.

Other details

This is a 60 year old vehicle still with many original parts. There is no warranty on the vehicle. express or implied;

All receipts are included in the sale;

The car is sold as-is where is and transportation is the responsibility of the buyer;

Inspections are welcome and encouraged prior to sale

Full payment is due in 7 days; 

A deposit of $2000 is due within 24 hours of commitment to buy;

The balance by cashier's check drawn on a US bank or bank transfer within 7 days of the completion of the sale;

   Neither the car nor any documents will be released until all funds have satisfactorily cleared my bank;  The car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to remove from the auction at any time.   A “Buy it Now must be accompanied buy an instant deposit by PayPal.  

Also published at eBay.com

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