1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster

Description

Unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show, the new XK120 impressed many with its stunning design and exceptional performance. The car's curvaceous shape was heavily influenced by Jaguar boss, William Lyons, and the revolutionary 3.4-liter inline six-cylinder “XK” engine with a double-overhead-camshaft rated at 160 horsepower was a game-changer. Costing $3,940 in the United States, the XK120 was one of the fastest production cars of its time, with a top speed of 120 miles per hour, comparable to many high-end exotics that cost twice as much. It was a success on the race track and is still popular today, making it the most elegant production sports car of the 1950s. This sporting elegance was further enhanced when ordered new with the SE specification, resulting in a sport-tuned suspension and increased engine performance. This particular 1953 Roadster benefits from this upgrade since new and is reported to be a wonderful driving example today.  

Highlights 

• Finished in white with a tan convertible top and matching tan leather interior 

• Powered by a 3.4-liter inline-six with dual SU carburetors mated to a four-speed manual transmission 

• Under prior ownership, the car was fitted with a replacement cylinder head, electric fuel pump, fuel shut-off valve, an auxiliary cooling fan with switch, and a Mallory Dual-Point ignition system 

• More recent work is said to include an engine oil change, new batteries, and replacement of the water pump and radiator hoses 

• The frame is reported to have been replaced while the car was overhauled in the 1980s by John and Craig Farrell from John Farrell Auto Parts, formerly located in Wyandanch, New York 

• Accompanied by a tan tonneau cover and removable side curtains 

• Please note that while the odometer displays just under 87,500 miles at the time of listing, the true mileage is unknown 

Features 

• Synchromesh on the top three forward gears 

• Smiths instrumentation 

• Reverse-sweep 6,000 rpm tachometer 

• Independent front suspension 

• Burman re-circulating ball steering 

• Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes 

• Fuel gauge 

• Oil pressure gauge 

• Water temperature thermometer 

• Clock 

• Door-mounted map pockets 

• Polished dual exhaust tips 

Known Imperfections 

• Engine oil leak 

• Dim or inoperable dashlights 

• Wear on the door pull straps 

• Cracking paint 

• Inoperable windshield wipers 

Included 

• Owner’s manual 

• Service manual 

• Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate 

• Tonneau cover 

• Removable side curtains 

• Tool roll 

• Original windshield wiper fluid bottle 

• Jack 

• Original-style tire pump 

• Grease gun 

• Restoration photos 

• Judging score sheets 

Ownership History 

The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate shows that this XK120 Roadster was constructed on 4 June 1953 in Battleship Grey over a Biscuit and Red interior with a Black soft top before it was dispatched to Max Hoffman’s New York distribution center on 10 June 1953. The car was refinished in its current color combination during its overhaul in the 1980s by John and Craig Farrell. Since then, the current owner of this 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster purchased the car in 2020, removing the car from approximately 16 years of indoor storage.

Additional Notes 

Please note that this Jaguar is titled by its engine number.