Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Jaguar's first post-war sports car, the XK120 roadster was conceived and designed in a matter of months, primarily to act as a showcase for the marque's new XK engine.

Shown at the 1948 Earls Court Motorshow, it caused such a sensation that William Lyons was forced to put it into production right away. The first cars had handbuilt aluminium bodies on an ash frame, but by 1950 a more mass production version with a pressed steel body with alloy doors, bonnet and boot had been developed. A fixed head version was launched in 1951, followed by a drophead in 1953. Just 12,780 XK120s were produced in total, the vast majority in left-hand drive, of which just 1,767 were dropheads with a mere 295 of these in right-hand drive.

Power came from the now legendary XK twin-overhead cam 3.4-litre straight-six engine, developing 160bhp and giving the car a genuine 120mph top speed, making it the fastest production car of its day – hence the XK120 name. In 1952 Stirling Moss and three other drivers famously drove a virtually standard XK120 around the banked track at Montlhery for seven days and nights on end, clocking up an average speed of 100.31mph before driving the car back to London with no problems whatsoever.

Although it was first registered in January 1954, this particular XK120 Drophead Coupe was manufactured in October 1953, as an article in the history file by XK historian David Bentley confirms. One of just 295 original UK market cars, it retains its original colour scheme of British Racing Green with a Suede Green interior and black hood. Supplied new to a Squadron Leader Devilliers of Hertford by Henly’s of London, the car subsequently passed to NJ Hart of Weston-Super-Mare from whom it was acquired by Cedric Thomas in 1972, also of Weston.

Thomas had just given up a 25-year career as a motor mechanic and bought the XK as a project to keep him occupied in his retirement. Something of a perfectionist, he was to spend the next 30 years in a money-no-object restoration to bring the car up to standard.

Every single part of the car has been renewed or restored as necessary including a full engine rebuild with new pistons, bearings, timing chains etc. The Salisbury hypoid rear axle was also totally rebuilt, as was the original Moss gearbox using double helical gears for a smoother action.

Bodywork repairs were entrusted to Bill Lawrence in the New Forest who spent four years getting everything just right, using new rear wings supplied by RS Panels of Nuneaton. Lead-loaded in the traditional way where necessary, there is no filler in the car. The paintwork is traditional cellulose applied in many coats to give a deep shine that will stand years of polishing. The chromework was entrusted to S&T of Bristol and was given a copper base layer before plating in order to ensure the best quality finish.

The interior retrim was entrusted to Nick Turley of Suffolk & Turley fame, and has been done to the high standards you would expect of Britain's foremost trimmer. This included top quality hide on all the leather surfaces, a new canvas hood with the correct inner lining and a thorough refurbishment of all the woodwork.

The current vendor acquired the car in 2008 and has continued to maintain it regardless of cost. This included a second engine rebuild at marque specialist VSE in June 2009 when a rear oil seal conversion was also carried out at a cost of some £3,750. Other improvements include an uprated alloy radiator with an electric cooling fan, uprated Koni front shock absorbers, new steering and suspension bushes throughout, stainless steel brake hoses and a stainless steel exhaust. The hood was also refitted by a specialist and is said to be totally snug and leak-free.

Since the second engine rebuild when the odometer was re-set to zero, the car has been in regular use and has covered some 3,200 miles including a tour of the Lake District, driving beautifully and performing faultlessly at all times. MOT’d until September 2013 and taxed until the end of August, it is only reluctantly being sold to fund the purchase of a vintage Bentley.

As snug as a fixed-head, more practical than a roadster and much rarer than both, the drophead is to many the most desirable XK120 of all. This thoroughly sorted, matching numbers example, with few owners and a known history from new, looks like a shrewd investment at the guide price suggested today.