My BF colleagues and I have covered a lot of Jaguar XK120s (’48-’54) and the one thing that most have had in common is their condition, they’re either dilapidated projects or just plain dilapidated. Today’s find, courtesy of Chuck F, continues the trend, expensively, with a 1951 example that calls York, Pennsylvania, home. It’s available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $49,900.
Claimed to have been off the road since ’57, this hospital ward green roadster is in the project category. The seller claims, “No rust solid body solid frame” and if that’s the case, it’s good news as these will rust on command. There is obvious surface rust present but from what can be spied with the few images provided, it appears to be sound. The seller mentions that he has the grille, windshield, and some other miscellaneous parts and they are included in the sale. It’s not a complete put Humpty-Dumpty back together again project but there’s a good deal of assembly, and probably additional parts sourcing, that will need to occur once the body has been refinished.
Nope, not a runner, though there is a claim of a matching number engine and head. The 160 HP, 3.4-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine has obviously been partially dismantled. What’s not said is whether it’s on the way apart or the way back together – I’d bet the former based on the engine’s visual appearance. I’d be concerned about not only the short block’s condition but also the likely missing parts. I’ll run with the assumption that the four-speed manual gearbox is still attached to the back of the engine.
Not much to review regarding the interior, its stripped. The seller states that he has “the” seat frame, with emphasis on “the” and not both – an inquiry will need to be made. The gauges appear to still be in place but there’s not much that can be said, at a distance, about their condition, appearance, etc. Same with switchgear, it all may or may not be present. These are simple and austere interiors but this environment is going to require just about everything to be useful again.
There were about 12K of these XK120s built and there are usually, at any given time, quite a few for sale. The prices are all over the board from $50K drivers to $150K trailer transported, full-on restored examples. I can even find a totally complete ’51 example, that is currently not running but is certainly presentable, for less than the ask on this subject car. My parting thought is GLWTS, what’s yours?
Nothing here to warrant the asking price. Transmission and rear end might be the only pieces that don’t require a complete rebuild. Rust in the engine block cylinders doesn’t just go away without a bunch of machine work. I like the suggestion that a running example could be had for the same price. Too bad, these are beautiful cars when restored.
Says the guy wishing he had $43,500 to offer tonight. If you see an XK 120 daily driver for $50K, better go buy it. That’s a $70K car now, $150k decent restoration. $170k show ready full restoration. The numbers are the numbers.
The seller is quite optimistic on the price. The ngine obviously needs a rebuild, and you would be remiss in not doing vlutch and tranny at the same time. Where available, parts for these are not cheap, especially body bits and interior bits. The rule these days is $100K ( or more) to restore. There is simply no room for any unknowns. In this condition and with so many uncertainties, IMO this is a $20K car.
I bought a ’51 off of a lot in Fairborn, Ohio, in 1968 on my way back to Vietnam. Drove it across country quite fast, trouble fee but watched the thermostat peg at one point in southern California. A hoot of a trip!!! Traded it when I returned for a low mileage 230SL. Wish I had them both back.
Do like Lot: Run and don’t look back.
I owned a 120 years ago, and it was only 5 years old at the time. This one needs so much that it would likely make a parts car for someone. So much missing and what is there cannot be restored.
$50grand? Guess I’ll have to take a closer look, there’s gotta be a Mopar tag hiding in there somewhere
Bobhess: Agreed. Any decent restoration would have an owner upside down in short order at that asking price. I have seen other daily driver 120’s sell for less than $50K. Seller may be keeping this one for awhile at that price.
If you see an XK 120 daily driver for $50K, better go buy it. That’s a $70K car now, $150k decent restoration. $170k show ready full restoration. The numbers are the numbers.
Did I miss it in the seller’s description ?
Did he say there’s 30 grand in the glove box ?
Im not too sure there is a glovebox
I think first place needs to be awarded to Jim for the name he ascribed to the color of this car: hospital ward green. PERFECT!!!! Not only is it a great name, but it is a strong hint as to where the car should be transported next.
Along with the person who pays $50,000 for it
In about 1953, when I was a car-mad kid living just outside York, Pennsylvania, I’d often see an ivory XK-120 Roadster being driven to or from the nearby Outdoor Country Club. I wonder if this is that car.
naw, this car is Hospital Ward Green.
Maybe the asking price had one too many zeros! I honestly don’t see what is there to warrant that number. I guess you could thank BAT for the inflated prices of cars lately. It’s like the old story of the the guy selling apples. ” APPLES, APPLES FOR SALE! $500 EACH” Another guy comes up to him and says, ” What is with the $500 price tag?” The apple seller says, ” I only have to sell one!!!”
An owner of a restored driving XK120 is the envy of most. Few cars ever connected driver to car and road like XK120. No American muscle car can touch it on curb and collector appeal. I’m an Alfa and BMW guy, but that 120 is something you cannot get a similar experience in. Both you driving it and heads turning. Tad high asking price, but not much.
Wow, man. We will never see another find like this anywhere. Truely
a once in a lifetime find. It’s rare to get a car that’s been sitting since
1957 around here and this one is a Jag.
Very cool, BF.
Bob
Love all the Jag fans poor mouthing it dreaming they can afford it. Someone will offer $43,500 and pay their own transport. The beauty of it in this condition is you’re going to do everything and make it show worthy. Because some comments are correct it will be expensive to just get it back to a driver. Why would you dump a total of $80k to get a driver worth about $70k, versus $110k to get it worth $170k? The fact they don’t want to let go of it cheap suggests they know that math. One is backwards math, one forward. One requires pro shop and deep pockets. The other is we dreamers. Every XK120 is worth full restoration. I have not heard of exceptions to that rule yet.