1954 JAGUAR XK120 SE FIXEDHEAD COUPE

This important Jaguar, registered ‘GJL 300' from new, is the last righthand drive Jaguar XK120 Fixedhead Coupe manufactured by Jaguar Cars and was sold new in July 1954 to Chief Spitfire Test Pilot, Mr Alex Henshaw.  The colours then were Suede Green paintwork with Suede Green interior as it wears handsomely today.

Mr Henshaw, through a personal relationship at the Jaguar factory, was able to buy his new XK120 in SE (Special Equipment) Specification, and moreover, with the unique specification of Sandblast 2in SU Carburettors which no other 120 was fitted with from new.  Further, correspondence with the Henshaw family by the most recent owner of this XK120 retells the story that Alex Henshaw revisited Browns Lane with his new car some three months after he'd taken delivery of it to insist that it was retro-fitted with the C-Type head it wears now, for this only became available shortly after he acquired his car.

Henshaw was to keep his car for around two years before selling to the late, well-known Ferrari collector and amateur racer, Mr Richard Colton, who competed at Brands Hatch and elsewhere in GJL.  Emails from Colton confirm the spec of the car when he acquired it, unchanged from the spec which Henshaw had insisted upon.  Subsequently, our car was to be owned by the late Sir George Burton, Chairman of Fisons, who was himself a keen amateur motor sport enthusiast who twice entered the Monte Carlo Rally and was ultimately responsible for Fisons sponsoring a Porsche at Le Mans and Nürburgring.

In the years that followed our XK120 fell into disuse until it was found in a barn (quite literally) by a gentleman in Wales who deemed it uneconomical to restore.  This person too has contacted the most recent owner offering images of the car as it was in that barn circa 1989, with photographs of it languishing before restoration.  Renowned Jaguar XK restorer Nigel Dawes was the next protagonist in this remarkable story, being commissioned by a mysterious Far Eastern collector to carry out a total and thorough restoration in the early 1990's to original specification, with GJL being deemed important enough by virtue of it being the last one built.  The results speak for themselves, and Nigel's work needs little introduction.  As if it were necessary, an accompanying book of documented photographs corroborate the meticulousness that was devoted toward our XK.

Upon completion of this gargantuan undertaking the beautifully restored car was to earn itself a place in the Blackhawk Collection in California, being used only modestly, yet exhibited at the Pebble Beach Concours and Imperial Palace Nevada throughout the next decade.  The car was then and remains today an all-matching numbers motorcar with engine, body, chassis and gearbox stamped and confirmed by its accompanying Jaguar Heritage Certificate.

In most recent ownership since 2008, ‘GJL 300' is offered in superb condition having been used consistently, albeit modestly, in this time, with a sensible approach to maintenance and servicing.  She is accompanied by a considerable service history file, much correspondence, and the aforementioned book documenting the restoration in photographs.  All inspection is greatly welcomed for we are confident this car will not disappoint.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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