Rare “SE” Model: 1954 Jaguar XK 120
My job is easy when it comes to reviewing a car like this 1954 Jaguar XK 120. I can call balls and strikes as to its advantages and disadvantages; I don’t have to figure out how to restore it. Good thing too, because I believe that I would be an abject failure on that front. But I’m sure that we have readers who are adept with such a task and that being the case, let’s take a closer look. This Jaguar is located in Phoenix, Arizona and is available here on eBay for a BIN price of $44,000. Thanks to Jamie for this tip!
The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and production totals for the seven-year time frame was about 12K copies. Interestingly, the majority (86%) were left-hand drive and not intended for U.K. sale. The XK 120 (120 as in 120 MPH) received accolades for its racing and rallying capabilities and acquired numerous contest victories over its seven-year run.
The seller states that this Jag has been in storage since 1971 and has a straight body with no rust. The body does, in fact, appear to be mostly straight with obvious surface rust present, but nothing invasive. The passenger fender does have a bent leg, however. It’s hard to tell if the finish is faded gray paint or primer though I think the former is probably the case. Supposedly, these open XK120’s came with a lightweight canvas top and side curtains but the seller advises that there are no side curtains, no word referencing the top. Unfortunately, the passenger side of the windscreen has seen better days.
The underside has a lot of surface rust but apparently, none of it is at the rot-through stage. The fame and its various supports and cross members appear to be pretty stout and that’s a notable feat for this era British car. Of course, Arizona’s climate has helped with the cause.
This XK120 is a “SE” (Special Equipment) model which includes a more powerful version of the 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder engine, generating 180 HP and exhaling through a dual exhaust system. Of course, this Jag isn’t going any exhaling because it isn’t doing any inhaling – the carburetors are in a box. So is the engine usable? Don’t know, the seller is silent on that front. This is a 34K mile example, so if there is serious engine damage it’s probably from sitting for so long without being turned over or started. I do wonder why the carbs were removed, however.
As for the interior, it leaves me speechless – it looks like a biology experiment that has gone awry (sorry for the fuzziness of the image). It would seem to have been left out in the weather but it is trashed and will need a major redo, everything, seats, dash, instrument panel, steering wheel. We’ll go with the assumption based on the seller’s statements and underside images that the floors are sound.
The seller is understandably bullish on this Jag. He opines, “Why not restore a car with ALL the original panels just like when it came out of the factory. This is a straight forward resto with no hidden surprised when you take the paint off. Save thousands in bodywork and piecing together a Frankenstein car.” Points well taken but this car will still be a lot of work and the price of entry is not inexpensive. And of course, there is the matter of the engine and what may or may not be affecting it. This Jaguar will be a bit of a gamble but as I stated at the outset, I don’t have to fix it, only report on it. I would like to know, have any readers owned this or a similar version Jag?
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Comments
I never owned one myself but back in the 1970’s, I spent time riding around in one north of San Francisco. A magnificent car that Jaguar.. Had an ex Navy buddy that had a white one. He was a pool player and alcoholic although we didn’t know that term then. We were coming back from SF to Santa Rosa late at night when he takes out his cue stick and pokes the gas pedal. Then he puts his feet on his seat and stands up, leans back and sits on the folded top, pushing the gas pedal with the cue stick and steering with his feet! The odd thing was I was more impressed with his ability to do it then fear of crashing and I joined him.
It’s been said that if you remember the ’60s you weren’t there. But it’s equally remarkable that some of us survived the ’70s, considering all the stupid stuff we did.
Alcohol – because no good story ever started with eating a salad…
Jag’s calling itself cars 120 and the later 140 is marketing stretching the truth. Yes, A jag would go that fast, but it was a sexed up Factory version taken to a special track for the purpose in Belgium and runs made to generate the highest to speed possible. The hottest one you could buy would top out at about 110 and 130 respectively. The former is about the same as a – you guessed it- a stock Nash Healey with the Dual Jetfire. I have a pal is is a jag nut and we argue over this all the time. Clark Gable had a jag, but Superman had a Nash Healey.
I know SOLID is worth $$$$, but even so, it will be hard to properly restore this car and not have 100k in it … so expect the owner to be upside down when done..
ha ha 140 grill Fred
Right, an aftermarket one at that!
I have one and it’s great but at 100mph it doesn’t feel great. This one has a 140 grill…why would that be ?
40 years ago my Dad and I had an 120SE OTS. Did a new build on the engine, trans/clutch/etc, brakes, stainless exhaust, and an absolutely rust free body and chassis. I do mean rust free. The guy I got it from said it was his Grandmothers and she had a fender bender in 58 or 59 in downtown Dallas so parked it. I bought it in 79 and started going through it. Sold it in 84…for $5,000.
Looks good to me. Other than the early all alloy cars, this is the XK model to have. All parts available. No-one would take this on with expecting to rebuild everything, so the important thing is originality and completeness, not whether ‘the engine works!
Price isn´t bad for what is on offer, subject to viewing and meeting the seller.. If it was $20000, it would still be an expensive restoration. These cars require deep pockets.
I bought one in 1968 for $800. Rust holes in floor, ill-fitting ragged top, broken exhaust cam. I put in a new cam, tuned the engine and put the speedo at 120, Dual Jetfire’s remarks nothwithstanding. I couldn’t afford the body work needed so sold the car for $800. Wish I could afford to purchase this one.