1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

For sale by auction on Saturday 29 November 2014 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
The Jaguar XK120 was the first Jaguar manufactured after World
War II. built between 1948 and 1954; it succeeded the SS 100 two
seat roadster which ceased production in 1940. The XK120 was
launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test
bed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a
sensation which persuaded William Lyons to put it into production.
It was available in two convertible versions; first as the roadster
then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and as a closed. or
fixedhead coupé from 1951.

This very late Jaguar XK120 Roadster. dating from the final year
of production. was sold new in the USA and stayed there for several
decades until it was repatriated in the late 1980's. In the early
1990's. it underwent a considerable amount of very high-quality
restoration work at Longmate's Vintage Restorations of Norfolk
which included rebuilding the car to entirely correct righthand
drive specification. After some years' use. however. the car
changed hands once more. this time passing into the ownership of an
executive of the Bechtel Civil Engineering Corporation in 1997.
Having returned to California. however. after what was clearly a
very enjoyable period of ownership in Europe. he found the
righthand drive configuration impractical and. for a second time in
its life. the car crossed the Atlantic. One of the most interesting
items in the car's history file is a letter describing the fun he
had with the car including trips to the south of France as he puts
it 'without incident'! Having had only very sparing use in last few
years. it has just undergone some precautionary re-commissioning
work at the premises of the well-known London vintage car authority
Bob Thredder. including work to the braking system and new chromed
wire wheels. Details of these works can be found in the car's
history file along with an XK120 handbook. maintenance records and
parts purchased while in America. This stunning XK120 Roadster when
returned to the UK the first time was repainted the traditional
British Racing Green which remains in very good condition and has
clearly been the result of very careful use and maintenance. The
interior is trimmed in a contrasting shade of biscuit hide. br/>including the dashboard. The car retains all its weather equipment. br/>hood and side-screens in black vinyl and is supplied with a V5C
registration document. old MoT test certificates and a file
containing invoices from the 1993 restoration and a letter dated
1999 from the previous owner. This is an excellent example which is
ready to be used and enjoyed.



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