Beschreibung:

The Jaguar XK120 was manufactured between 1948 and 1954 and was their first sports car since the SS100 which ceased production in 1940. It was launched in roadster form at the 1948 London Motor Show as a show car for the new Jaguar XK engine. It caused a sensation thus persuading Jaguar founder and design boss, William Lyons, to put the car into production. The '120' in its name referred to its top speed which made the XK120 the world's fastest standard production car at the time of its launch. It was available in two open versions; first as the roadster, then also as a drophead coupé from 1953 and also as a closed, or 'fixedhead' coupé, from 1951. With alloy cylinder heads and twin side-draft SU carburettors, the double overhead-cam 3.4 litre straight-six XK engine was comparatively advanced for a mass-produced unit of the time. With a standard compression ratio of 8:1, it developed 160bhp. This same basic design of the XK engine, later modified into 3.8 litre and 4.2 litre versions, survived into the late 1980s. SE (Special Equipment) versions of the XK120 included a special camshaft with 9.525mm valve and damper, multi-spoke wheels, stiffer anti-roll bars and rear springs along with two Lucas fog lights. The Drophead Coupé or DHC was also the XK120's least produced model with just 1769 leaving the factory between 1953 and 1954 making the Drophead Coupé XK120 SE even rarer than its sought after sibling the XK150S. This Jaguar XK120SE Drophead Coupé was dispatched from Jaguar Cars in 1954 to Mr. Grant, thought to possibly be the British born American actor, Cary Grant and stayed in rust-free California, United States until 2015 when it was brought back to the UK and registered with the DVLA. The car comes with a considerable history file from which it can be deduced that around $45,000 was spent between 2010 and 2012 on a comprehensive restoration and the car now presents in excellent condition. This work included a full repaint and re-trim as well as a large amount of mechanical refurbishment. The engine, we are informed, has a nice tight feel and holds excellent oil pressure and the original Moss gearbox provides smooth gear changes. The stunning green paint finish is in really nice condition as is the leather trim and highly polished wooden dashboard. The mohair hood is in first class order and is beautifully lined. A local specialist has thoroughly test-driven this car for around 100 miles and deduced that it is a real pleasure to drive and, in his opinion, will give hours of pleasure to the next owner. XK120's are very handsome vehicles and this Jaguar is a thoroughly useable drophead coupé. Finished in metallic British Racing Green with Sage Green leather interior and sitting proudly on wire wheels, this XK120 is indeed a splendid example.