Details
1953 JAGUAR XK 120 DROPHEAD COUPE
Chassis No. 677377
Engine No. W 8751-8
Black with red Connelly hide.
Engine: Six-cylinder in-line, double overhead camshft, 3,422cc, 160bhp at 5,250rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: hydraulic drums; Suspension: front, independent with double wishbones and longitudinal torsion bars, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
Few cars remain so instantly recognisable as the Jaguar XK120; its graceful and all-enveloping shape influenced the changing design of post war sports cars. Introduced as a roadster in 1948 at the London Motor Show, it revolutionized the world's sports car market by providing a genuine 120mph. The superb twin-cam six cylinder engine was to become a mainstay of all future Jaguar products, and provided five Le Mans 24-hour victories between 1951 and 1957. The final variant of the XK120 was the drophead coupe which provided a more civilised version of the sports car with a fully folding and properly trimmed hood, wind-up windows and more luxurious fittings.
This model is the rarest of all XK120's. The production run, replaced by the XK140 in 1954, was short lived and only 1,767 were built. Bodywork is the standard two seater, two door convertible style with vee screen, integral projecting trunk, opening quarter windows, split front bumper bars and vertical rear overriders, superb walnut-veneered fascia panel and cappings with an easy-fold, fully lined hood.
This all matching numbers vehicle was imported into the U.S.A. through Hoffmans the Eastern Jaguar distributor. The current owner acquired the car from Barbara Winter, in 1989. Mrs. Winter was a member of the Greater St. Louis Jaguar Association and the car must have been garaged. The engine was rebuilt in June 1988 for Mrs. Winter.
Upon purchase the current owner, a lifelong Jaguar enthusiast and owner of many XKs, decided to rebuild the car for Concours purposes. The body was removed from the frame and totally rebuilt, with new sills, floor and firewall. The bonnet, trunk and fenders were all extremly good and were stripped and repainted in urethane black. The bodywork was painted throughout and included turning over, checking, welding and repainting too. The chassis was stripped, repaired and painted in satin black, the rear springs and shock absorbers were rebuilt as was the front suspension with new front shock absorbers fitted. The brakes were rebuilt with new shoes and brake lines and the wire wheels were rebuilt by British Wire Wheel of Santa Cruz, California. The transmission was disassembled and reasembled after inspection. The engine was mildly polished and a new stainless steel sport exhaust fitted. A complete new wiring loom was installed.
The resplendant custom interior and trim details were totally hand done (not a kit) by VIP European Auto Interiors with new Connolly leather upholstery, Wilton Wool Carpets and an English Wool headliner. Bassett Jaguar of Rhode Island supplied the new top, and a new top boot with leather beading was custom made. The pleats in the seats were hand sewn and the cushioning material is the correct cotton and not foam rubber! The exquisite woodwork, which is the rare light colored Walnut, was reveneered.
Christie's has great pleasure in offering this Jaguar as the owner has previously successfully sold an award winning XK through our auctions. The last car we offered on his behalf had averaged 99.07 points; at the highest most recent show, in 1995, this Drophead scored 99.95 points in JCNA competition. The owner drives this excellent car to Jaguar meets and Concours events.
Chassis No. 677377
Engine No. W 8751-8
Black with red Connelly hide.
Engine: Six-cylinder in-line, double overhead camshft, 3,422cc, 160bhp at 5,250rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: hydraulic drums; Suspension: front, independent with double wishbones and longitudinal torsion bars, rear, live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Left hand drive.
Few cars remain so instantly recognisable as the Jaguar XK120; its graceful and all-enveloping shape influenced the changing design of post war sports cars. Introduced as a roadster in 1948 at the London Motor Show, it revolutionized the world's sports car market by providing a genuine 120mph. The superb twin-cam six cylinder engine was to become a mainstay of all future Jaguar products, and provided five Le Mans 24-hour victories between 1951 and 1957. The final variant of the XK120 was the drophead coupe which provided a more civilised version of the sports car with a fully folding and properly trimmed hood, wind-up windows and more luxurious fittings.
This model is the rarest of all XK120's. The production run, replaced by the XK140 in 1954, was short lived and only 1,767 were built. Bodywork is the standard two seater, two door convertible style with vee screen, integral projecting trunk, opening quarter windows, split front bumper bars and vertical rear overriders, superb walnut-veneered fascia panel and cappings with an easy-fold, fully lined hood.
This all matching numbers vehicle was imported into the U.S.A. through Hoffmans the Eastern Jaguar distributor. The current owner acquired the car from Barbara Winter, in 1989. Mrs. Winter was a member of the Greater St. Louis Jaguar Association and the car must have been garaged. The engine was rebuilt in June 1988 for Mrs. Winter.
Upon purchase the current owner, a lifelong Jaguar enthusiast and owner of many XKs, decided to rebuild the car for Concours purposes. The body was removed from the frame and totally rebuilt, with new sills, floor and firewall. The bonnet, trunk and fenders were all extremly good and were stripped and repainted in urethane black. The bodywork was painted throughout and included turning over, checking, welding and repainting too. The chassis was stripped, repaired and painted in satin black, the rear springs and shock absorbers were rebuilt as was the front suspension with new front shock absorbers fitted. The brakes were rebuilt with new shoes and brake lines and the wire wheels were rebuilt by British Wire Wheel of Santa Cruz, California. The transmission was disassembled and reasembled after inspection. The engine was mildly polished and a new stainless steel sport exhaust fitted. A complete new wiring loom was installed.
The resplendant custom interior and trim details were totally hand done (not a kit) by VIP European Auto Interiors with new Connolly leather upholstery, Wilton Wool Carpets and an English Wool headliner. Bassett Jaguar of Rhode Island supplied the new top, and a new top boot with leather beading was custom made. The pleats in the seats were hand sewn and the cushioning material is the correct cotton and not foam rubber! The exquisite woodwork, which is the rare light colored Walnut, was reveneered.
Christie's has great pleasure in offering this Jaguar as the owner has previously successfully sold an award winning XK through our auctions. The last car we offered on his behalf had averaged 99.07 points; at the highest most recent show, in 1995, this Drophead scored 99.95 points in JCNA competition. The owner drives this excellent car to Jaguar meets and Concours events.