1953 Jaguar XK

120 SE OTS Roadster

6 Cylinder

Manual

S673724

Clear

Gasoline

1953 Jaguar XK120 SE(M) OTS INTRODUCTION & BRIEF HISTORY S673724 was built March 9, 1953 and dispatched from the factory on March 17, 1953 making the car just under 60 years old. It was originally sent to the US distributor, Chas. Hornburg of Los Angeles, and initially sold to Mr. R.C. Zina of Hopkins Minnesota. I acquired the car in January 2010 from the person who had maintained it for 24 years for a woman who bought it in 1985 in a Kruse auction. It had been on the road for the entire time since then. He had traded for it from her during the previous year. When I acquired it had poor paint, non-original interior and instruments, many incorrect components a homemade dash and wiring and no top, top-frame or side curtains. They are all there now in the form of orifinal or new OEM spec replacements.The good news was that it was excellent structurally and was mechanically sound when I bought it. In addition to ebay photos, numerous additional photos can be seen at my gallery website: https://picasaweb.google.com/brazilinkllc/53JaguarXK120SEMOTS?authkey=Gv1sRgCO791-7T75zYdw VALUE TRENDS The following data were generated by Hagerty Insurance’s valuation tool through August 2012. 1953 Jaguar XK120 M 2dr Roadster 6-cyl. 3442cc/180hp 2bbl Value change over time Date Condition 4 Condition 3 Condition 2 Condition 1 Aug 2012 $72,000 $102,000 $119,500 $140,000 Apr 2012 $72,000 $102,000 $119,500 $140,000 Dec 2011 $70,900 $97,400 $116,000 $133,000 Sep 2011 $70,900 $97,400 $116,000 $133,000 Apr 2011 $70,900 $97,400 $116,000 $133,000 Dec 2010 $74,600 $102,000 $121,000 $136,000 Aug 2010 $74,500 $102,000 $120,000 $136,000 Apr 2010 $75,900 $104,000 $122,500 $138,500 Dec 2009 $75,700 $104,000 $122,000 $137,500 The average value for this vehicle is: $96,662* Source: http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vc=878136 Vehicle Value Details Vehicle Condition 1 Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best car, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the car has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 cars is "concours." Vehicle Condition 2 #2 cars could win a local or regional show. They can be former #1 cars that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws, but will be able to find some not seen by the general public. The paint, chrome, glass and interior will all appear as excellent. No excessive smoke will be seen on startup, no unusual noises will emanate from the engine compartment. The vehicle will drive as a new car of its era would. The one word description for #2 cars is "excellent." Vehicle Condition 3 #3 cars could possess some, but not all of the issues of a #4 car, but they will be balanced by other factors such as a fresh paint job or a new, correct interior. #3 cars drive and run well, but might have some incorrect parts. These cars are not used for daily transportation but are ready for a long tour without excuses, and the casual passerby will not find any visual flaws. "Good" is the one word description of a #3 car. Vehicle Condition 4 #4 cars are daily drivers, with flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome might have pitting or scratches, the windshield might be chipped. Paintwork is imperfect, and perhaps the fender has a minor dent. The interior could have split seams or a cracked dash. No major parts are missing, but the wheels could differ from the originals, or the interior might not be stock. A #4 car can also be a deteriorated restoration. "Fair" is the one word that describes a #4 car. Source: http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools/HVT/VehicleSearch/Report?vc=878136 NUMBERS According to the Jaguar-Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) certificate accompanying the car, the numbers are partially matching. The VIN/Chassis Number S673724 corresponds to the body number, FS780, on the car and partially to the engine number (the important cylinder head differentiating it as an SE or “M”). The cylinder head on the engine # W7481-8S corresponds to the JDHT, the “S” in the VIN and Engine # indicating that the car is an “SE”. The block, however, with indicating # B-1973-8 does not correspond to the cylinder head or the JDHT, and research of the block number indicates that it came from a 1952 Mark VII built in August 1952. This is virtually identical to the original XK120 block and is period correct being manufactured 7 months prior to S673724. The transmission # JL20115 on the both the case and the transmission cover, does not correspond to the JDHT which is JL15877 indicating that the transmission in the car is identical to the original, but came from a later XK 120 or 140 MILEAGE The indicated mileage reading at this writing is 53003. After 59½ years this is almost certainly incorrect. Although functioning and while the speedometer and the tach were the only Smiths instruments in the car when I bought it, the fact that the tach swept left to right rather than tight to left cast doubt upon the speedometer's originality as well. Add to that likelihood of speedometer stops, starts and disconnects as well as possible turnover(s) and guessing the mileage would appear to be futile. ELECTRICS AND WIRING The car was fitted with a new set of wiring harnesses in 2011. All of the instruments with the exception of the speedometer were replaced with correct versions for the car. All of the switches in the dash were replaced with the correct switches (a mixture of used and rebuilt). The headlights, running lights, directional signals and stoplights all function properly. The battery was new in 2010. IGNITION The original ignition was upgraded to a pertronix electronic ignition with a pertronix distributor and coil. (The original distributor and coil will also accompany the car). The ignition wires and spark plugs are new and correct. ENGINE & CLUTCH The car has been driven on a regular basis at least back through the mid 80’s. Oil pressure is in excess of 50 lbs hot. It pulls extremely well and runs very smoothly. It leaks the about expected amount for a 3.4 Jag engine, although it is not an issue with the car. It does not smoke, hot or cold. The clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bushing and U joints were replaced in August 2012 in conjunction with the replacement of the flywheel. This was necessary due to a failed ring gear on the original flywheel. COOLING SYSTEM The cooling system is in stock configuration with the exception manually switched auxiliary electric fan. The car runs with the temperature gauge straight up in the middle except when the temperature exceeds 90 F and the car is forced to stop and idle after running at speed. This is not uncommon for XK 120s and many are fitted with auxiliary electric fans to compensate. The water pump and all of the water hoses and belts were replaced in 2011. GAS TANK & FUEL SYSTEM The gas tank and all fuel lines are tight and solid. The original specification SU electric fuel pump was replaced by the owner shortly before I bought the car. The original twin SU carburetors have been completely rebuilt, re-bushed and cosmetically restored by Dana Britten of sucarbs.com. in Wichita Kansas. The petrol gauge is period correct, however it is intermittent at times. STARTER & CHARGING SYSTEM The car was equipped with a modern high energy starter when I bought it and consequently had been converted to negative ground with the original generator and voltage regulator installed and functioning. The starter however was replaced in August 2012 with a new high energy starter as a conservative measure to coincide with the installation of the new flywheel and to ensure that there were no worn teeth on wither unit. During the restoration, for increased reliability and function, a Lucas alternator was installed. The original generator will accompany the sale of the car. The original regulator is still in place and has been used as recommended as a junction box and to maintain he appearance of originality TRANSMISSION & DRIVE TRAIN The car has the original specification Moss gearbox with non-synchronized 1st gear, although it is not the unit originally supplied with the car. The Moss gearbox functions as well as smoothly its limitations permit, with no problems with synchros on 2nd or 3rd gear. As previously mentioned the clutch set and flywheel were just replaced and the driveshaft refurbished as needed. STEERING & SUSPENSION The steering unit is stock and a function as well as the design allows. The front and rear shocks are in good condition and function as they should. The front coil and rear elliptical springs function as they should. BRAKES The master brake cylinder was replaced by the previous owner shortly before I bought the car. The brakes are in good condition and function as they should BODY & FRAME The body of the car is excellent. There is no evidence of rust, or frame damage. The panels are straight and remarkable free of dings. The only evidence of prior collision was moderate damage (and repair) to the quarter panel behind the driver, and the inner adjacent inner fender. The only evidence of rust on the car anywhere was at the driver’s side battery box and this was extremely minor. There are scratches and some minor damage near the rear bumper stays (see picture) and a few barely visible chips on the rest of the car. The car drives and tracks straight. Pictures of the structure when the car was dismantled are on my photo gallery website. The underside is unrestored and solid as original. Given that the car was originally delivered in Minnesota, the black coating visible in some places is a likely remnant of "Ziebart" rust prevention common at that time. Pictures are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/brazilinkllc/53JaguarXK120SEMOTS?authkey=Gv1sRgCO791-7T75zYdw GLASS The only glass is the windshield and it is in excellent condition. One of the panels is new. The only defect is in the other panel and it is a small very small crack (in pictures) in the center post upper corner and is barely visible. It folds back on itself and is going nowhere. SEATS & INTERIOR A complete original specification biscuit and red interior has been installed professionally by Mastercraft of Arvada Colorado. All of the welts and rubber have been replaced. The interior handles, and switches are all new or in good condition. The trunk has been restored with hardura mats and panels to OEM specification. The entire horn/directional mechanism was replaced with a new original specification unit. The seat frames and tracks are new (They appear missing in some of the photos because I occasionally remove the bottom frame and tracks when driving a lot in order to gain a few more inches of legroom) WHEELS & TIRES The Jag comes with two sets of wheels. The whitewalls on the red wheels are 600-16 B.F Goodrich bias ply tires that still have a fair amount of tread and provide a smooth ride. The car was driven on these for at least the past 5 or 6 years. The set of tires on the body color wheels are very old original Dunlop Racing tires. They are not cracked, have a lot of tread and are great looking tires. Due to their age they are quite hard and not recommended for driving beyond a short distance, however they are excellent for shows. CHROME The chrome and stainless steel are in new or generally excellent condition. The only minor exception is that one of the grill vertical bars was loose and had to be repaired, but it is hardly visible. Also one of the rear bumper mounts caused minor damage to the exit hole. TOP AND SIDE CURTAINS The top and side curtains are new as is the top frame. The top is a Robbins Everfast with a 3 zipper plastic window. Upon researching the tops with the Robbins guru, he confirmed that both plastic and glass windows were offered new from the factory. The side curtains were custom made on reproduction frames by Mastercraft. SUMMARY, Payment & Shipping In addition to the photos illustrated in this listing, these photos and others are also viewable on my photo gallery website at https://picasaweb.google.com/brazilinkllc/53JaguarXK120SEMOTS?authkey=Gv1sRgCO791-7T75zYdw · The car has clear Colorado title; · All receipts are included in the sale; · This is a 59½ year old vehicle still with many original parts. There is no warranty on the vehicle, express or implied; · The car is sold as-is where is and transportation is the responsibility of the buyer; · Inspections are welcome and encouraged, but they must be done before the auction ends; · Full payment is due in 7 days, no exceptions; · A non-refundable deposit of $2000 is due within 24 hours, via PayPal. The amount will be noted in the auction; · The balance by cashiers check drawn on a US bank or bank transfer within 7 days of the completion of the auction; · Neither the car nor any documents will be released until all funds have satisfactorily cleared my bank; · The car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the sale at any time. Bidders with feedback scores of less than 10 contact me before bidding to avoid your bid being possibly canceled.