West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional and very rare and professionally frame off restored example of this coveted and highly desirable 1953 Jaguar XK 120 Drop Head Coupe Left Hand Drive U.S. delivery model which was the beneficiary of a frame off restoration in the mid 2000's to as new show ready condition with an already excellent body with no damage history and no rust! This beauty still boasts it's original five disc-type steel wheels with original fender spats, aka Fender Skirts (in America!) spare wheel, and it's original matching numbers engine as verified by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. One of the rarest XK 120 variants, second only to the alloy-body Roadster.
The XK 120 was produced by Jaguar between 1948-54 and caused an absolute sensation when launched and was immediately destined to become one of the most collectible cars of all time. Its name referred to its straight six, 3442 cc 120 mph (193 km/h) top speed (faster with the windscreen removed!) engine which was insanely fast for its day and made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch and a very successful racer which spurred Jaguar onto breaking many world speed records.
The roadster's lightweight canvas top stows out of sight behind the seats and its doors have no external handles. The windscreen can be removed if desired! The drophead coupe (DHC) had a padded and lined canvas top, which folded onto the rear deck behind the seats when retracted and roll-up windows and the dashboards and door-caps in both the DHC and the closed coup (FHC) were wood-veneered, whereas the more spartan and lighter roadster's were leather-trimmed.
The first 242 XK 120s made had wood-framed open-top aluminum bodies with two seats; Perceiving the design line from the front wheels, over the hood, and to the rear was like watching a rolling wave: smooth, calm, powerful and this design was to set the tone for all post war sports cars and continues to influence to this day, just look at the taper from the hood to the rear on Jaguar's 2018 F-Type.
Production switched to all-steel construction better for making the cars in volume by 1950. It eventually came in three versions: as an open two-seat roadster (OTS) and later, as a fixed-head coupe (FHC) in 1951 and a drop-head coupe (DHC) in 1953. The XK 120's are more desirable than the later-model XK 140's and 150's, especially the ones designed before 1950 because those had aluminum skins, with racing history examples commanding many millions of dollars, but these days any of the open cars command more money than any coupe.
When this stunning model debuted in 1948 at the Earls Court Motor Show in London, England it was the darling of the show and remains today as much of a show stopper as it did then, over sixty-six years later! The car set numerous and now legendary speed records and was the fastest production car in the world in it's day and Jaguar used its engine for decades to come. In terms of design, the two-seater roadster with its classically simple flowing lines, slender tail and exotic flush-sided body was a massive leap forward for sports car design at the time and in many ways its styling remains unparalleled. Combined with new standards in terms of performance, Jaguar had obviously built what was destined to become this milestone and eminently always collectible classic car.
This particular DHC is a Numbers-matching engine example as per the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
Factory-correct finishes of 'Birch Grey' over 'Red' leather with a 'French Grey' convertible top
Ideal entry point for prestigious rallies and touring events worldwide
While the XK 120 Roadster stunned the motoring world at its unexpected 1948 Earls Court debut, Jaguar soon broadened the models appeal with the introduction of the Fixed Head Coupe in 1951.
Blending the XK 120 Roadsters thrilling performance with a more luxurious and graceful roofline, with roll-up windows, and a richly appointed cabin, the closed car offered a distinctly more refined grand touring experience, being similar in spirit, yet altogether different in character from the elemental open two-seater.
Bridging these two worlds, the elegant Drophead Coupe arrived in 1953. Combining the open-air freedom of the Roadster with the comfort and luxury of the Fixed Head Coupe, it featured a beautifully lined convertible top with a wool headliner and roll-up windows, ensuring true all-weather capability. The XK 120 Drophead Coupe remains one of the most desirable of the series, surpassed in rarity only by the early alloy-body Roadsters.
Completed on 4th May 1953 for distribution through Charles Hornburgs influential Los Angeles dealership, the XK 120 Drophead Coupe offered here is beautifully presented in its elegant factory-correct livery of 'Birch Grey' over 'Red 'leather, complemented by a French Grey convertible top.
The restoration was completed by the renown 'Lake Oswego Restoration' of Oregon in 2006. The car retains its numbers-matching engine block (W 8373-8), as confirmed by its Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Production Record Trace Certificate.
The professional restorers attention to detail is evident, highlighted by the models signature burled walnut trim, desirable arched-back semi-bucket seats, wide whitewall tires, and rear fender skirts.
An absolutely superb example of the most elegant XK 120 variant, this Drophead Coupe perfectly balances open-air motoring with grand touring refinement. Ideal for spirited driving or leisurely top-down excursions, it would make a superb entry for prestigious rallies and touring events worldwide.
The 111th of 1,471 LHD Drophead Coupes built and the first car bought by the consignor in 1971; indicates 60,511 miles with a frame-off restoration by Lake Oswego Restoration, completed in 2006 in this handsome and factory original color combination.
190 hp, 3,442 cc DOHC six-cylinder engine with two 1-inch SU carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with torsion bars, double wishbones, and an anti-roll bar, live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.
The first XK120s arrived in the U.S. in August 1949, delivered to distributors Max Hoffman in New York and Charles Hornburg in Los Angeles. Their sensuous flowing lines, 3.4-liter DOHC engines, and sparkling performance created a sensation that endures today.
This frame off restored example was delivered to Charles Hornburg in Los Angeles and bought by Miss V.M. Donaldson on May 14, 1953. Reportedly in Oregon for all its life, it was the first car bought by David Adams, who purchased it as a high-school senior in 1971.
Already a successful artist and sculptor, Adams realized that his sports car was going to need expert care and enlisted in the Foreign Car program at Mt. Hood Community College. He rebuilt his car (the first time) during the course and then interned at European car experts Leyfax Garage in Portland for three years, learning how to do a job perfectly once. He then started a business importing classic cars from England and learning the fine points of a proper restoration. He also began a 10-year search for the correct parts for this car.
Finished in its original Birch Grey with a French Grey top over a Red leather interior and featuring the desirable curved-back seats. Though the original burl walnut interior wood was sound, it has been replaced with a complete new set, with the correct satin finish.
The frame-off restoration, by Adams own 'Lake Oswego Restoration', addressed even the smallest details, using mostly correct date-coded parts, as well as genuine Jaguar nuts, bolts, and hose clamps.
The engine block is original, while the cylinder head is a factory replacement fitted long ago, as it lacks a stamping number. The starter is a gear-reduction unit and the car has also been fitted with Koni Classic shocks in the front and a two-inch stainless-steel sports exhaust system. The rebuilt transmission is original as per the JDHT Certificate.
The paintwork is quite exemplary and unmarked, and the panel fits perfectly exact. The car has rear wheel spats and rides on Coker wide whitewall radial tires that resemble the original bias-ply tires.
The Jaguar has rarely been shown, though it did win Best of Show out of a field of 650 cars at Portlands All-British Field Meet after its restoration in 2006.
No doubt, this would prove to be amongst the most exciting and absolutely stunning Jaguar XK 120 Drop Head Coupes available anywhere and one that ticks all the boxes for the most discerning of collectors.
