1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Registration No: JVY 525
Chassis No: 667078
MOT: Exempt

• Driven some 21,000 miles during the current sixteen-year ownership including on events such as the Tour Auto
• Sympathetically uprated with a C-Type cylinder head, Broadsport five-speed manual gearbox conversion and Coopercraft disc brakes etc
• Twice an award winner at the Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show
• Treated to a major service and new radiator core circa 300 miles ago

Famously built as a mere showcase for Jaguar's all-new 3442cc DOHC XK straight-six engine, the XK120 Roadster caused a sensation when it was unveiled at the 1948 London Motor Show. Utilising a shortened MKV chassis complete with independent front suspension, a ‘live’ rear axle and hydraulic drum brakes, the lithe two-seater possessed class-leading 120mph plus performance and roadholding. Such dynamic excellence was rewarded with numerous victories including the 1950 RAC TT and 1951 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally. Arguably, the defining sportscar of its generation, a perilously shaky post-WW2 British economy gave the Coventry manufacturer little choice but to concentrate on overseas sales. Introduced in April 1953, the Drophead Coupe was not only the last but also the rarest XK120 derivative. Offering significantly better weather protection than its roadster sibling, the newcomer featured a fully lined hood with integral frame and wind-up windows. An elegant looking machine regardless of whether its soft-top was up or down, the two-seater boasted a rich wood veneer dashboard and matching door cappings. Only in production between April 1953 and August 1954, just 295 of the 1,767 XK120 Drophead Coupes which rolled off the Browns Lane assembly line were to right-hand drive specification.

Notable as the 78^th of the 295 right-hand drive examples made, chassis 667078 was despatched to Henlys of Manchester on 27^th October 1953. Treated to an extensive chassis up restoration and upgrade programme circa 2000, its impressive specification encompassed a louvred alloy bonnet, C-Type cylinder head, uprated camshafts, Guy Broad five-speed manual gearbox conversion, uprated engine mounts, stiffer suspension, Coopercraft disc brakes / callipers and stainless-steel exhaust. A keen driver who rallied in his youth and who has campaigned various RS Escorts and Sierra Cosworths not to mention a Francis Tuthill prepared Porsche 911, the vendor acquired ‘JVY 525’ in 2006. Among his first events with the Jaguar was the last Tour Auto that Sir Stirling Moss competed on, the two sharing several memorable conversations. Covering some 20,000 miles over the past sixteen years including time spent at the seller’s Spanish property, the XK120 has nonetheless been well enough maintained to twice win its class at the Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show. Professional repairs have been carried out to the bottom of both front wings, while a thorough service completed in November 2021 (circa 300 miles ago) saw the radiator replaced, the engine, gearbox and back axle oils renewed, the dynamo rewound, fresh plugs / points, replacement clutch and brake fluids, the carburettors set-up and the engine tuned plus a full greasing throughout. Starting readily upon inspection and looking magnificent in Old English White with a Suffolk & Turley Red leather interior, this rare, RHD XK120 Drophead Coupe is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and large history file.