Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé   Right Hand Drive  100% numbers matching  1 of 294

Condition: Used
Make: Jaguar
Model: XK
Trim: 120 Drophead Coupe Right Hand Drive 1 of 294
Year: 1953
Mileage: 34,214
Drive type: RWD
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
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Description of 1953 Jaguar XK

Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé Right Hand Drive 100% numbers matching 1 of 294
The number of true(not converted from LHD) Right Hand Drive XK120 DHC's that exist today are very far and few between... The total production of all XK120 DHC's (LHD and RHD variants combined) only totaled 1,765 making this car, ne of 294 RHD examples, xceedingly rare. All three of the XK120 body styles are simply magnificent in their own desirable way. The Drophead Coupé variant certainly shows why: no drafty, lastic side curtains here but glass roll-up windows, padded and lined hood (convertible top) that folded down in seconds and a rich burl walnut interior that mimicked Rolls Royce and Bentley. All this and with the same performance of the Open Two Seater (Roadster). Just the thing back then for all-weather continental drivingand just as desirable today for the same reason.
This XK120 is all original, early complete and all of the important items are present: the engine, earbo, hassis number stampings and body tag are all the same components it left Coventry with. To top it off, font>the original engine runs! We easily got it started after a slumber of nearly a half century. Simply amazing...
With the original Black exterior color (this car was re-painted Pastel Blue in the 1950's) and the Biscuit interior with Black hood (top), his example will be a stunning Black Beauty when restored. The spats (fender skirts) on this model enhance the elegance of the somewhat formal Drophead Coupé. While this example has the cutaway spats that came with it from the UK, ne could put full spats on it if desired. Imagine this perfectly restored with flawless Black paint and the light Biscuit interior. Include the gleaming, ook-matched burl walnut dash with its matching, urrounding wood cappings graced with the Black, ully padded and lined hood. Add its original UK/ London origin registration plates of 478 BMF to the front and rear you will have a breathtaking automotive icon worthy of Pebble Beach.
This particular car has an interesting provenance. It was originally purchased at Henley's Ltd in London. I correspond with the former Royal Navy Pilot airman in Scotland that owned it after the owner in London sold it and I have from him some anecdotes and a period photo from 1961 about the car that really make this car come alive with history and excitement. There may also be some 8mm movie footage of the car available from that long ago time period. Read this quote from him about this car: "I was 22 years old and had just arrived at the Royal Air Force Base outside York that was dedicated to training Navy pilots for their initial "Wings" Flying Training... and it so happened that another Lieutenant who had just passed out was about to get married, eeded cash and was looking for a buyer for his Powder Blue Jaguar XK120 with its leather strap over the bonnet (hood to you!)... bought for £520 cash... and the rest was history. Together we did a lot of miles... and had unforgettable fun, xcitement... and scrapes that would appall a modern Policeman or Good Citizen. From downtown York to our base was ten miles of single carriageway, alf of it twisty lanes... but coming back from late nights out there were three places where we could exceed a Ton... though the last one required coming out of a sleepy Yorkshire village double hairpin turn at more than 45 mph with the foot hard down in second gear... which didn't exactly endear us or the exhaust to the locals...!!!"!!It was eventually sold on to an American airman stationed in England who then brought it here to the United States. It ended up in a garage in Virginia for almost 50 years and stayed there until it came to me in Michigan.
Way back when, his DHC was partially disassembled in Virginia with the high hopes of restoring it but the project stalled. Now the body has been loosely put back together and most of the original interior is back in the car. As far as the condition of the exterior sheet metal, will not kid you here: it will require a lot of work. But... I have seen far worse XK120 restoration projects that were successfully completed. It needs sills, boot floor and gas tank, xterior panel repairs, tc, n fact almost all of the usual repairs they need but, rankly, he extreme rarity of this car makes any amount of effort worthwhile. The body and chassis have not had major accident damage. Importantly, he chassis is really a strong point and is in wonderful condition wearing a fair amount of its original black paint. I know these cars intimately and this chassis and the components attached to it are in amazing condition. Included with the XK120 are some assorted boxes of loose parts that are original to the car to help complete it.
This represents a seldom seen opportunity to actually own a true, ot converted from LHD, nbsp;RHD XK120 DHC. You may never have this opportunity again at any price. If you think I have tried to romance you about this car, ou are right. This particular XK is worth a love affair. I can be reached at my office at 248.594.5906 to discuss anything about the car. Located in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, ichigan, fter your purchase I can help arrange motor transport to any coast for international shipping. I have an unblemished reputation of trading and selling and have shipped to places all the world over so I welcome out of the country purchasers.
A Paypal non-refundable deposit of $500 will secure the car and the remaining funds can be wire transferred.
Thanks for looking and I hope this wonderful, minently restorable XK resides in your garage soon!
An important update to this listing: I have taken a photo of the numbers matching VIN plate since I created the listing, ut do not wish to end this listing to amend the body of the listing. Contact me through Ebay and I can send the image to you. Sorry for theinconvenience.
Above is the engine number on the front of the cylinder head.
Above can be seen the number stamping on the engine block above the oil filter.
Above is the chassis stamping on the left side in the engine bay. The chassis stamping is also visible on the front of the chassis under the radiator. Not seen is the gearbox stamping because its hidden under the gearbox tunnel. It however has BOTH of its original stampings, oth on the cover and the main gearbox casting.
Showing my half century involvement with these fabulous motorcars, bove is a photo taken by me in 1971 of my very first car, 1955 XK140 DHC. Purchasing it with my total life savings of $100 in 1968 at the tender age of 15, loved that car and would pay nearly any amount to see its return to me. The original chassis number was 817131. Only two XK140's were ordered in Black with a Suede Green interior and this was one of them. It was ordered through Delecroix Jaguar in Paris, rance by a "Mr. Hubbard"and was delivered to him at the factory door in Coventry. It was registered NRW 669. Although it had a KPH speedometer for the French market, t had a British radio with local English locations printed on the dial. The UK plate on the front was from my best friend's 1968 TR-250 that was purchased in England. Beautiful and powerful, enjoyed it every bit as as much as the Royal Navy Pilot above did. ANY information as to its present whereabouts would be immensely appreciated.
As a final bonus photo, bove is shown Alexander "Sandy"Munro, he retired Royal Navy Pilot spoken of in the text. This was taken in November 1961. The Jaguar "leaper" seen on the bonnet was still on the car when I got it. Imagine, 22 year old Royal Navy Pilot pilot flying his aircraft by day and driving his XK120 Jaguar by night through the sleepy English countryside sometimes hitting "the Ton"(a hundred miles an hour) on the straightaways. A real life Top Gun...
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