1952 Jaguar XK120 OTS Barnfind

Launched in Roadster form, at the 1948 London Motor Show as a test bed and show car for the new Jaguar XK engine, the level of acclaim was such that Jaguar founder and design head, William Lyons, put the XK120 into production. The first roadsters, hand built with aluminium bodies on Ash frames mounted on modified Jaguar Mark V chassis, were constructed between late 1948 and early 1950. In order to meet the unexpected demand beginning with the late 1950's cars all bodyshells were pressed steel, although they retained aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid. With an alloy cylinder head, hemispherical combustion chambers, inclined valves and twin SU carburetors, the dual overhead cam 3.4 litre straight six engine was comparatively advanced for its time and developed 160bhp. Development of the model continued with the introduction of the Special Equipment, or SE, in 1951 which boasted an extra 20bhp, bringing it up to 180bhp, and the styling enjoyed a few subtle changes.

XKs, in all shapes and sizes, turn up on a regular basis at auction and tend to be in need of restoration or as bright and shiny as a new pin. The occasional 'Barn find' will appear and normally will be a usable chassis with a seized engine and not much else of any use. However, once in a Blue Moon a car will appear that has everyone scratching their heads.

The XK in question is a 1952 120 OTS and was bought new and shipped to the US for its one and only owner. He used it as it should be used for over 40 years, and it was maintained on a regular basis but never restored or recommissioned. When he was approaching 90, the decision was taken that it was about time that he, and his beloved XK, were in need of a rest, so the Jaguar was put into dry storage. His intention was to restore the car, and even went as far as buying some books and manuals on 'car restoration', however, the closest he got was to 'unbolt the seats'.

Sadly, he passed away before his dream could be fulfilled, and the Jaguar remained where he had parked it, dry and safe, for the next 20 years.

The Byrnes Motor Trust are based in Australia and the Philippines and are often regarded as the world's leaders when it comes to returning custom and classic cars to their original glory. Their work on Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars is unparalleled and they are probably the largest restorers of Jaguar XKs in the World. When this particular XK120 came into their possession their initial intention was to restore it in the normal way. However, after some thought, they realised that this proud old XK may well be the ideal candidate for 'Preservation' not 'Restoration'.With new preservation classes at Pebble Beach Concours d"Elegance and elsewhere the decision to preserve rather than restore an all-original car is garnering a new appreciation among automotive purists.

So the car has been (very) sympathetically recommissioned to enable it to run and drive and stop, but nothing else. The feeling is, that this is such an honest and unadulterated car that has never been painted, it might be best just to leave it as it is. This venerable Jaguar has enjoyed over sixty years in America and there is not much of life that it hasn't seen. It might be like sitting on the porch with your great grandfather and hearing amazing stories of his long and interesting life. You wouldn't then suggest he joins the gym and dyes his hair black, would you?

The car has the original US Title and the choice of its fate (Restore or Preserve) is entirely yours.