If you’re like me, you don’t mind the idea of a classic car serving a stint in a museum. However, I prefer to see this as a short-term situation because most cars deserve to be driven and enjoyed as their creators intended. That hasn’t been the case with this 1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed-Head Coupe. It recently emerged after two decades of display. The seller revived it, returned it to a roadworthy state, and all it needs is a new home and an owner willing to hit the road to enjoy all it offers. It presents superbly and would suit a meticulous buyer. The Jag is listed here on Craigslist in Sarasota, Florida. The seller set their price at $93,500, and I must say thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this stunning classic.

The general presentation of this XK120 supports the seller’s claim that it has spent years on display. It is unclear whether it received any restoration work, but its Black paint exhibits a depth of color and shine that makes me feel like I could sink into the body. There are no visible marks, and the panels are straight. The lack of rust is consistent with a car kept in a climate-controlled environment. The panels are clean, while the underside is nearly perfect. There are chips in the undercoat but no corrosion or penetrating rust. The vehicle style and paint color impart an almost sinister look, but the sparkling chrome alleviates that impression and provides a welcome contrast. The glass is flawless, and the wide whitewalls add the perfect finishing touch.

If the Jag’s exterior condition is astonishing, its interior serves more of the same. The upholstered surfaces wear rich and supple Red leather, with Bright Red carpet on the floor. The leather has the usual character wrinkles, but no wear can be found anywhere inside this classic. The Walnut veneer on the dash shines beautifully, with no evidence of delaminating or other problems. The gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, while the plated items are in as-new condition. There are no visible aftermarket additions, and if you parked this XK120 on the showroom floor at your nearest Jaguar dealership, it wouldn’t look out of place.

Jaguar served as the benchmark for post-war British sports cars, with its models offering power and performance others could only dream of. The XK120 was no exception, with its 3,442cc DOHC six pumping out 160hp. That power fed to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, allowing the Jag to cover the ¼ mile in 17.1 seconds before hitting 120mph. The company offered more potent versions of the XK120, but most buyers found the “standard” version provided enough power and performance to leave them satisfied. After more than two decades on display, the seller returned this classic to a roadworthy state in preparation for it to find a new home. They installed a new fuel tank, fuel pump, and battery. They handed it to a Jaguar specialist, who performed a complete service and inspection. It is now ready to provide someone with classic motoring pleasure.

Jaguar built 12,045 examples of the XK120 during seven years of production. Of those, 2,477 were the Fixed-Head Coupe variant in left-hand-drive form. The XK120 played second fiddle to the legendary E-Type a decade later, forcing secondhand values through the floor. Times change, and the XK120 now rates as one of the most desirable British sports cars. Although buying this car would represent a significant investment, the new owner will drive away in a vehicle that has experienced slow value increases in the past few years. The price looks competitive considering its overall condition, and while I don’t believe it will sell quickly, I see a new home in this classic’s future.