One to Buy: Pastel Green 1953 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster
When Jaguar unveiled the XK120 prototype at the London Motor Show in October 1948, company boss William Lyons expected the rakish machine to serve as little more than a useful publicity exercise. However, with its sensational aerodynamically profiled body and anticipated 120mph top speed, a huge volume of potential buyers expressed interest and the decision was quickly made to build a production version.
The first customer cars began to emerge from Jaguar’s Browns Lane factory in Coventry during the summer of 1949 and, over the course of the next five years, an impressive 12,000 XK120s were sold around the world.
In addition to the original Roadster variant Jaguar went on to offer a Fixed Head Coupe (March 1951) which was in turn followed by a Drop Head Coupe a little under two years later (January 1953).
One of the most desirable options offered on the XK120 was the Special Equipment pack available from June 1951. It featured a raised 9.0:1 compression ratio, high lift camshafts, a lightweight flywheel, stiffer rear springs and a dual exhaust system. Peak output was 180bhp at 5300rpm and 203lb-ft at 4000rpm compared to 160bhp at 5000rpm and 195lb-ft at 2500rpm for the standard car.
Currently on offer at the Autosport Designs showroom in Long Island, New York, is a 1953 Roadster original ordered with the Special Equipment option and finished in arguably the best colour for one of these cars: Pastel Green with Suede Green interior.
Also configured with painted wire wheels (an option from March 1951), this exceptional machine was built on August 27th 1953 and sold via Jaguar’s New York-based distributor, Max Hoffman, to Charles Krauss of Cresskill, New Jersey.
Having been extensively restored in the early 1990s, this fabulous example represents a rare opportunity to acquire an XK120 with arguably the most desirable specification imaginable.
Reprinted below is Autosport Designs’ description:
Pastel Green over Green leather interior, Green Carpeting and Black tonneau, 3.4 Liter DOHC Inline 6-Cylinder engine with Twin SU Carburetors producing 180 HP at 5,000 RPM, 4-speed manual gearbox, matching numbers.
The initial 242 production XK120's were hand-built with aluminum bodies on ash framing and constructed between late 1948 and early 1950. To meet fervent demand, to commence with the 1950 model year, all subsequent XK120's were mass-produced with pressed-steel bodies, while retaining aluminum doors, bonnet, and boot lid. The Jaguar XK120 was dubbed the first production car to reach 120MPH.
This XK-120SE, SE denoting that was factory fit with larger camshafts, wire wheels and twin exhaust, was up by 20BHP over standard car. It was built on 27 August 1953 and shipped to to famed Jaguar distributor Max Hoffman in New York. It was then sold new to its first owner, Mr. Charles Krauss of Cresskill New Jersey, on 27 January 1954. This example was extensively restored in the early 1990's, leaving no stone unturned. It included the refurbishment of every mechanical component and cosmetic refinishing to an exceedingly high standard in its original colors of Pastel Green with suede green interior and painted wire wheels.
This XK-120SE is offered with its jack, air pump, tool kit, spare wheel/tire assembly, and full black tonneau cover. A stunning period color combination in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition throughout, it is eligible for numerous vintage rallies throughout the USA and the world including the Millie Miglia. This exceptional Jaguar would be equally at home on the show field or local cars and coffee gathering alike.
