1953 Jaguar XK 120

This 1953 Jaguar XK120 roadster was completed on January 12, 1953 as a Special Equipment model and was originally distributed in the US through Hoffman Motors in New York. It was acquired in California as a project in 2013 by the owner, who subsequently commissioned a refurbishment with several modifications. Work included a repaint in Opalescent Gunmetal and an interior re-trim in Pumpkin leather, as well as adding rally-style touches such as Brooklands windscreens, adjustable bucket seats, and a louvered hood with leather straps. Power is provided by a numbers-matching 3.4L inline-six that was rebuilt under previous ownership and has been paired with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Additional modifications include new sandcast SU carburetors, Wilwood front disc brakes, 16 Borrani-style wire wheels, Lucas 7 driving lights, a custom aluminum radiator and electric fan, and more as outlined below.

The body was repainted during the refurbishment in Opalescent Gunmetal, a color offered by Jaguar on E-Types between 1961 and 1964. Le Mans-style louvers were added to the hood, which has also been fitted with leather hold-down straps. Brooklands-style windscreens with aluminum fairings were added on each side, and the front bumper was deleted. A body-colored fairing is also fitted over the central rearview mirror.

Borrani-style 16 wire wheels with triple-eared knock-offs have been added and are wrapped in Firestone Cavallino Sport 200 radial tires. Lucas P770 tri-bar headlamps were installed, and Lucas 7 driving lights flank a new grille. Closeups of the finish, trim, and lenses are presented in the photo gallery below.

Inside, bucket seats were added and are trimmed in Pumpkin leather, which the seller describes as a shade similar to that used by Ferrari in the 1960s. Matching leather covers the door panels, dash, console, and kick panels, while color-keyed Wilton wool carpeting lines the footwells. The seats are anchored to adjustable tracks and are hinged at the base for access to the back shelf. The outer surfaces of the seat backs are trimmed in a matching moquette material, and competition-style lap belts are present for each occupant.

A Derrington-style wood-rimmed steering wheel was added and features a factory horn manette and turn signal control unit. Smiths instrumentation was rebuilt and includes a 140-mph speedometer and a reverse-sweep 6k-rpm tachometer. The five-digit odometer shows 42k miles

The 3.4L DOHC inline-six was reportedly rebuilt by the prior owner and is mated to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission that was installed during the refurbishment. Additional work included fitting new twin 2 sandcast SU carburetors, a lightweight aluminum flywheel, a custom aluminum radiator with an electric cooling fan, and a new fuel tank and fuel pump. The exhaust manifolds were re-porcelained, ancillaries were rebuilt or replaced, and the drivetrain was detailed.

Engine number W7148-8S denotes a Special Equipment engine and is shown stamped on the cylinder head above. The matching block serial stamping can be seen in the gallery below.

The brake system was rebuilt during the refurbishment and upgraded with Wilwood calipers up front. Suspension work included installing new front shock absorbers, ball joints, and bushings, as well as rear springs with leather gaiters. New front tie rod ends and wheel bearings were also fitted.

The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate lists the component numbers and an original color combination of black over red.