West Coast Classics are proud to present an extraordinarily rare and all original (with only three caretakers/owners since new) example of this all stock and rust free coveted and highly desirable 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE M Roadster with only 58K original miles with Left Hand Drive U.S. delivery with the optional 'M package' Special Equipment Package 180HP 3442 cc 6 cylinder engine and which was the beneficiary of a no expense spared mechanical restoration as required when purchased by only its third owner in 2009 after having been sitting for a couple of years having been purchased from the estate of only its second owner who had purchased the car in 1956 from its original owner!
Fully documented history with original paint and interior and all matching numbers original SE engine, heads and transmission! We recently acquired the car from the third owners with the car sporting an outstanding all original patina and excellent body with no damage history and no rust! The car has its all original paint and interior and will be sold with its original wheels and tires, yes tires! The car currently has four stock period correct steel wheels boasting the five optional center locks (which were available from 1951) with the spats (aka Fender Shirts in America!) being removed as was typical due to insufficient clearance for the knock off hubs (with its original 'knock off' Thor Hammer' English mallet) with new tires. The original wheels and tires are being kept separately for preservation purposes (see photos below) and are in wonderful condition and will be sold with the car, the car also has its original spare wheel in its rightful place in the trunk compartment, original roadside jack, mallet and factory tools in their original case, the original 'Fawn' color soft top and frame, and of course the car boasts its original matching numbers engine as verified by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate.
This rare US Left Hand drive model was exported to the U.S.A. where it was first sold on 6/18/1954 to its original South Carolina owner from the renown 'Max Hoffman Jaguar' dealership of New York, whose Park Avenue showroom was designed by non other than the renown architect Frank Lloyd Wright! The car resided with its original owner for the next two years before it was then purchased by its second owner, William 'Bill' Shull, of Sylvania, Ohio, otherwise known simply as 'Doc', who owned and cared for the car for the next 53 years until his passing in 2009.
Doc Shull kept the car garaged in Ohio in all original condition for the next 53 years and the car was reportedly his pride and joy and a car which he drove the regularly to car shows, but would never have considered selling, even after not being able to drive the car for the two years prior to his passing due to his ill health. Upon his passing the car was sold by his family on Ebay in 2009 to what would then be only its third owner, where it was described as an absolutely all original unrestored example that had never been painted or restored in any way. The car would not start at the time of the auction as the battery was dead but as described by the family the car had been driving every year up until just two years prior. The new owner was also from Ohio and an enthusiastic classic car collector who viewed and appreciated the car's exceptional originality and rarity, obviously along with its even rarer original SE matching #'s pedigree and he consequently had owned the car as part of his collection until we acquired the car in August 2022.
The new owner, had upon purchasing the car in 2009, immediately delivered the car to his long time specialists to ensure the car would be turn key ready for his collection, at which point no expense was spared to have the car running completely right. From hoses to seals to gaskets, wheel cylinders to dual master cylinders, new brake shoes, drums, belts, points, plugs, rebuilt carbs, battery, draining gas tank, etc etc, until over some 59 hours were billed to ensure turn key driving on a still all original and unrestored car with the engine now running as smooth as silk with the 4 speed manual transmission shifting smoothly through the gears. To this day the car has been meticulously upkept and maintained, for the past 13 years, as part of the owners fastidious collection. The car drives exactly as it should with only very few miles should since its mechanical restoration.
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 6, 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 and detachable side-screens stow out of sight behind the seats and its doors have no external handles; instead there was an interior pully cord which is accessible through a flap in the sidescreens when the weather equipment is in place. 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 these early XK120 models will truly capture the imagination and investment dollars of the worlds premier sports car enthusiasts and collectors.
When the 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 74 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.
The car's engine is its original matching #'s factory installed Special Equipment Type engine and heads with noticeable horsepower increase and runs as smooth as silk with the 4 speed manual transmission shifting smoothly through the gears and the car driving exactly as it should with only very low and original 58,414 miles. The car has been stored and regularly started and maintained as part of a collection since 2009 at which time the brakes were completely overhauled with new front and rear wheel cylinders and master cylinders replaced. The ignition system was overhauled with new batteries and cables, new coil, Lucas ignition contact set, spark plugs etc. The car was recently inspected prior to sale and is driving beautifully. There is a choke that is activated by a toggle switch under the dash beside the hood release.
This particular XK120 is an SE (Special Equipment) model, a version that includes a stiffer suspension, an increase of approximately 20HP, dual exhausts and wire spoke wheels. The original tool kit, owners manual and service manual accompany your purchase. This fine XK120 SE is remarkably clean and, except for wires and hoses, it is 100% original under the bonnet. With just 58,414 miles on the clock and an impeccable appearance, this 1954 XK120 SE seems to have somehow moved effortlessly through the decades. Such a stunning car has obviously been well-cared for with the original paint defying belief for this rare survivor car. The fit and finish of the entire car is incredible. As you can tell from the images, this XK120 SE received only very limited use, as even the original leather spring gaiters are still in place. The car is in excellent condition throughout, and it is correctly described as a true survivor. The original leather interior is perfectly broken in, with only the lower kick panels replaced, and everything on the dash works perfectly.
The car has no rust whatsoever with the floor boards and all the typical rust-prone areas completely original and unrestored and not painted and solid and rust-free! The car has had no accidents and has a very straight body and looks extremely impressive in its all original factory 'Pastel Green' color paint with matching 'Pastel Green' wire wheels and a beautiful all original and with an absolutely wonderful patina matching 'Suede Green' 'Havana' leather interior which as only the most very minor of imperfections with the door panels, dashboard, seats and carpets all in very fine all original condition.
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 74 years later! 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.
Engine # F3357-8S
Chassis # S675759
Body # F8037
Gearbox # JL123421
An unrestored original all matching #'s car with just three owners from new
An iconic British roadster with just 58,414 original miles
Supplied with original paperwork, original tools & original manuals
Original Matching #'s desirable SE version engine from the final year of production with increased power, stiffer suspension & dual exhausts.
Documents: 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster JDH Trust
3,442 cc DOHC inline Special Equipment (SE) six-cylinder engine, 180 HP, four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, independent front suspension with transverse wishbones and torsion bars, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; wheelbase: 102
Owned by just two caretakers since 1956, the lucky new owner will no doubt be eligible for nearly any major classic car rally or event he or she chooses. The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate confirms all numbers and paint codes and is included with the purchase. An excellent and highly driveable example of a true sporting legend, this exceptional, low mileage Jaguar simply begs to be driven. There is something special about high quality, authentic, original cars such as this compared to the countless restored examples available. It truly and accurately represents the legendary XK120 just as visionary William Lyons originally intended.
