1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé

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. All XK120s had independent torsion bar front suspension with semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear, recirculating ball steering, a telescopically adjustable steering column, and 12-inch drum brakes all round. They were available in Fixedhead, Roadster and Drophead form and sold extremely well, with the vast majority of sales going to the United States.

This XK120 Drophead Coupe was originally exported to the USA as a left-hand drive example, but returned to the UK and was subject to a full body-off chassis restoration. This involved converting the car to right-hand drive and it was finished and returned to the road in 2011.

Supplied in the history file are a plethora of invoices for parts and services from marque specialists. The car presents beautifully in its original colour scheme of Jaguar Pastel Green with contrasting Suede Green trim, sitting on a beautifully restored chassis with chrome wire wheels and lots of subtle and useful upgrades to make the car drive as well as it looks.

The cabin is absolutely superb with new figured hardwood door cappings and dashboard finished to a standard that would make a 'cabinet maker' proud and complementing the original seats which have been refurbished in quality Forest Green hide. Contrasting Sage Green carpets and a wood-rim steering wheel finish off the cabin and the overall result is a space that is rich in quality and refinement.

The mechanical upgrades are designed for ease of use and reliability. The engine is showing excellent oil pressure and sounds superb. Power assistance to the rack and pinion steering provides a well-balanced feel at speed whilst making for easy parking and moving around at low speed. The gearbox is a 5-speed unit giving 90mph/3000rpm cruising ability and this unit is a delight to use. Disc brakes at the front are mated to 4-pot calipers and this ensures the car stops as well as it goes. In addition, a high flow aluminium radiator mated to a header tank and Kenlowe fan solve the age-old XK problem of overheating.

The overall package offered by this XK120 ensures that the new owner can literally jump in the car and drive it with confidence. Simply a lovely example, with much to admire, it's on the button and ready to go.