The 1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe sitting in this shed will undoubtedly divide opinions. Some will be horrified by its mechanical changes, while others will feel that it provides the type of performance such an attractive classic deserves. The seller has listed the Jaguar to settle his grandfather’s estate after it had been in his care for over fifty years. The most profound change to this classic is the installation of a Chevrolet big-block V8, although the original drivetrain is included for those contemplating a faithful restoration. The seller has listed the XK120 here on Facebook Marketplace in Brookville, Ohio. They set their price at $8,500, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Ted for spotting this unusual project.
Jaguar produced the XK120 from 1949 until 1954 as the successor to the SS Jaguar 100. It introduced three body styles, with our feature car being a Fixed Head Coupe variant. The seller’s grandfather had been its custodian for over fifty years, and it is unclear whether he enjoyed the vehicle in its original form before commencing the customization. The process included removing the turn signals from atop the front fenders, massaging various panels, and “frenching” a set of taillights into the rear quarter panels. The build is unfinished and hasn’t proceeded to the point of no return if the buyer decides to recapture this classic’s factory form. Such an approach may prove irresistible because only 2,477 examples of the Fixed Head Coupe in left-hand drive form were built during the XK120’s production run. There is no visible rust, but it appears the Jag may be missing a few trim pieces.
Jaguar purists are probably hyperventilating as they examine this shot. Jaguar powered the XK120 with its beautiful 3.4-liter DOHC six that generated 150hp and 195 ft/lbs of torque. Those figures obviously weren’t enough for the late owner, so he decided to transplant a 427ci big-block into the engine bay. Its specifications are unclear, but it is a safe bet that it would have unleashed a significant performance improvement. He teamed the big-block with an automatic transmission for an effortless driving experience. The seller confirms that the 427 doesn’t currently run, but it did so nicely a few years ago. Those preferring a faithful approach to this build will welcome the news that the original engine and transmission are included. That would allow them to undertake a numbers-matching restoration.
Another aspect of this XK120 requiring work is its interior. Critical components like the dash and seats are intact, but it requires a complete retrim. Kits are easy to find and will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $3,500. That isn’t cheap, but performing the restoration in a home workshop would be extremely rewarding. It is worth noting that obtaining a Heritage Certificate for the XK120 is relatively easy, and would allow the buyer to refinish the car in its correct exterior paint and interior upholstery combination.
The listing indicates that a sale is pending on this 1952 Jaguar XK120 Fixed Head Coupe, but it isn’t finalized. It may fall at the final hurdle, allowing another interested party to make a play for this classic. Therefore, it would be worth contacting the seller if you view it as an automotive must-have. That way, you can submit an expression of interest that would place you at the head of the cue if the pending sale isn’t completed. Is that an option that you would consider?
Start up the popcorn machine…
Interesting say the least. It’s definitely a product if it’s time. More than a few “exotic” cars like still exist because someone made it into some sort of hot rod or race car. When these were at the bottom of the depreciation curve and with a worn out engine among other issue, what does anyone think was going to happen to this car if not for someone making it into some form of a project? Spend a few minutes searching the internet for 1960’s and 70’s specialty junk yards, like that one in Southern California that’s going to be auctioned in the near future. What are now valuable and sought after cars were lined up waiting to be stripped clean.
If completed, with a tunnel rammed 427 and a 4spd, (the shifter is a Hurst Ram Rod/V-Gate) this would have either been extremely fast or a death trap.
The asking price of $8,500 isn’t bad, the pending sale seems to back up the sellers asking price as being fair.
Steve R
Yes, there was a time when machines now treated as precious “works of art” which should be kept exactly as they were when they left the factory were just “used cars”. In 1969, the Australian publication Sports Car World detailed re-powering a XK150 with a Chevrolet 307 & Powerglide. It was just another article and there was no mention of words like “sacrilege”.
Not even a desirable Chevy swap. At least they should have used a 327 “turbo-jet” which has some beans.
I can just see grandpa just beyond the “Pearly Gates” waiting with a tire iron. He knew that grandson Luke was trouble. If this doesn’t get our British cousins scrambling for a Stout Ale, nothing will. Personally, as a Yank that loves British cars, I think it’s really cool. What is painfully obvious, is it’s not finished for a reason. Probably scared the bejezus out of him.( grandpa chuckling from above) As in true modern fashion, where more is better, I think if toned down some, it could be a really cool ride. Since most of grandpas car is gone, may as well go for it, just not so much. I doubt it was like this 50 years ago, I find it hard to believe grandpa did this to his 120.
As a guy who doesn’t mind upgrade modifications to cars I think this one goes over the top in good sense. Never did get excited about a good looking car made ugly much less one as rare as this hard top example.
Gonna go out on a limb here and state that this may be the only time ’61 Dodge Polara tail lights have been fitted to a Jag 120 FHC.
Back in 76 I was sent by my Dad to look at (buy) a 56 XK140 Drop Head Coupe (DHC). I’ve told the story many times of at the same location I bought a 54 Vette for $300, took it back to my Dad’s station and then returned for the XK. I’ve never shared much about it but it does share many things with the feature car. The most notable, it was set up as a gasser and had had a 454 where the hood should have been. Based on how much cutting was done to shoe-horn the mill in there it was gong to be a challenge to return it to “stock” without a considerable amount of work. BUT, the car was complete otherwise (except for the straight-axle front suspension). Seems the project stalled for some reason about the same time as the Vette project did (it was also destined for a gasser setup but didn’t get cut up). I paid $500 for it and about 3 weeks later Dad sold it for $1,000 if I remember correctly. Also similar, I had to make a 3rd trip for the original engine/gearbox that the guy was going to scrap if I didn’t take it.
I had an xk120 fixed head jag
With a 327 double bubble engine. It was a completely stock car except for engine.
It originally was Shirley Muldowny’s
Car and she said she got her racing
License in it. Great little car.
Hi John, I had to do more research on that. While Muldowney did own a 1952 XK120, it was completely stock. It was recently sold at B-J auction. I read her 1st drag race at 18, was in a 1958 Chevy her husband prepared.
Strange days indeed. I can honestly say that this is the strangest XK 120 I have ever seen. I simply can’t see much value here. Keeping it as is and sprucing it up would only result in a ”clown car” and trying to restore it would be a monumental task. I can’t imagine what Gramps was up to, but he definitely had a vivid imagination.
Nobody said anything about the rear end, What’s there and what it would to return the suspension to original and how bad was the chassis butchered to accommodate what’s in it. Had I done this I would fear eternity hanging from a barn side by a rusty spike through my privates.
Just perfec, get it running and driving, then when something brakes, fix and fix it stronger. Sometimes I thnk you fellows know nothing about hot rodding. It seems most of the comments are from accountants and dreamers. This thing would be outrageousley fun, Just one question , how would you disguise those tail lights????????
Just perfect, get it running and driving, then when something breakes, fix and fix it stronger. Sometimes I thnk you fellows know nothing about hot rodding. It seems most of the comments are from accountants and dreamers. This thing would be outrageousley fun, Just one question , how would you disguise those tail lights????????
I think that most of us “accountants and dreamers” are simply concerned that your poor penetration weld doesn’t “breake” when you are approaching us at high speed on a two lane road. You might be surprised at how many of us on this site spent our careers in some aspect of the automotive industry, and are experienced in the design, fabrication and repair of complex vehicles.
Well said.
Wow… Just when you think you’ve seen it all… How much are you going to pay you’re buddy to test ride it… Lol
I too noticed the rear end, (as well as the tail lights) but didn’t bother to comment on them as I thought that the other weirdness was sufficient. Also, a quick comment to Morley Brown: I take it that you don’t follow Barn Finds very closely, because if you did you would know that most of the readers are more than a little knowledgeable regarding automobiles of just about any type. As far as this particular car goes, this thing is just some bad juju looking for a place to happen.
Tail lights aside, these cars are great looking, they look fast but so underpowered and theen there is the European version of electrics—say no moreSo what is a hot rodder to do? Change the damn thing, make it how you envision how it should be. So do not give me crap about the weenies on barn find who worry aout mileage, or handling or is it a good investment.,,All I am saying if that is your main concern , why one earth would you even have a comment or care about a car like this. Barn Find commenters are just a bunch of used car salesmen. Morley
Perhaps you have stumbled upon a forum that is totally wrong for you. (That is my opinion only, and in no way is meant to reflect the opinions of others)
Perhaps you stumbled upon Barn Finds while searching for angryolddudes.com…
Perhaps this is the long lost “Junkuar” prototype that we’ve all been furiously looking for all these years.
The 1960 Dodge Polara taillights was the missing link in this Jag’s styling.
Hmmm what to do?
Even with the original drive train available restoration might not be feasible. Work with what you got. I’d lose the tunnel ram so that I could get a bonnet of some sort on it, upgrade the brakes, put a 6 speed in it and have a weird but potentially fun ride.
To Adam Clarke,
This listing has caused quite a stir among the readers; positive and negative! Great write up, sir!