The tragedy of this Jaguar XK 120 here on Copart in Punta Gorda South, Florida is plain to see. The car was totally restored and then badly flooded. Copart listings are fairly terse and don’t give much information. But under the title, this one says “certificate of destruction.” No, you can’t simply wring the water out of this car and put it back on the road. This is not a junk or salvage title, but one issued by an insurance company that bars the vehicle from any future road use.
Says CarTitles.com, “A certificate of destruction is issued because of liability. If the vehicle is on the road, it becomes a liability for the insurance company so to avoid this, the insurance company will issue a certificate of destruction.”
The only possible utility of this car is as a parts source. CarTitles again, “While the vehicle may be cheap, if the vehicle has a certificate of destruction, no amount of title recovery can fix it to allow the vehicle on the road. The certificate of destruction is a permanent title brand and removing this brand is considered a federal crime….Additionally, without a vehicle title, you cannot take the major component parts to a junkyard.”
So it’s not clear what can be done legally with this once-beautiful car. But for some shady operators, where there’s a will, there’s a way. The bidding is up to $21,000 with less than a day left. The un-drowned value is given as $81,578, which is conservative for a 1954 XK 120 Roadster. Hagerty has a ’54 XK 120 coupe at $95,000 in good condition, but the Roadster is worth more.
The car looks shiny on the surface, but closer inspection reveals seats that still look soaked and instruments that were apparently full of water. The water went high. Kitty is toast.
The history is exciting, and a good part of the value here. The XK 120 was introduced at the 1948 London Motor Show. Jaguar had developed the twin-cam XK engine (which also featured hemispheric combustion chambers) for the Mark VII sedan that was to come in 1950. The sleek XK 120 was originally just a showcase for the powerplant. But motor show crowds went ga-ga for it and so the 120 (and later, the 140 and 150) were put into production.
The first 200 XK 120s were built in aluminum, but by 1950 they were made of steel. The chassis was adapted from the Mark V sedan and used independent front suspension with torsion bars. They handled very well, and went like stink—the 120 was the top speed on racing circuits.
The cars carried a 3.4-liter version of the XK engine, with 160 horsepower. Part of the attraction was the very low price—just £1,263 on launch. Even by 1953 they were only £1,602.
A total of 12,061 XK 120s were built, and most of them were in left-hand-drive form and sold in the U.S. The model was sold until September 1954, when it was replaced by the XK 140. So this is a late-production example. The fact that a category called “certificate of destruction” exists is why you should be very careful when buying a collector car. It’s possible that an unscrupulous buyer will try to pass on cars like this without disclosing their status, and perhaps forging a clean title. You have recourse if this happens, but it’s a situation best avoided. Thanks to GIPPY for this find.
Somebody bid 21 grand for a parts car -?
Yes unfortunately there are numerous cars that Ian flooded. Myself can’t understand why a car with little to no electronics is considered that bad. Was looking at a couple web sites and there is a 57 T bird among many other older cars that got the paperwork. Car folks understand that these can be repaired and returned to service, not easily but the insurance companies have other opinions. All that’s left is parts, with this paperwork. My mother lives about 3 1/2 mi from Ft. Myers Beach, the damage to property was unbelievable. Was there morning after to get Mom and went back down about 10 days after. There were flatbeds from Houston TX towing out the cars! Unfortunately there was quite a few lives lost also.
Does that certificate cross national borders? Because I could imagine a buyer from Latin America or Canada getting a great bargain here.
The info will follow the car to Canada, Europe etc. so the buyer will be saddled with a salvage title, but for a car like this where there is usually a well documented history, it will probably not be an issue. If you really think about it, most of the old Jags are now being dragged out of 30 year neglect in some leaky barn, so a restored car that just got submerged for a bit is a far less daunting project. This car most likely had an “agreed value” insurance policy and the insurer probably paid the owner 100% and then took the car as salvage. I’m guessing they paid off at least 100K. Most undamaged flood cars will sell for around 50% of retail, so this car probably has a reserve in the 50K + range- it goes on the block today, so we will see where the bidding goes.
Also my thoughts on this. This will wind up in a container destined for South America or Africa where there are no rules. If there is a rule, a bargain will be struck to have the proper party overlook the rules.
nah..going to Russia for sure…
keep that your yourself please
No! New country…New Title! Even into Canada. Im[ort to Canada then reimport back into the U.S. and Wha-Lah… new clean title in the state of the ‘new’ owner.
The certificate of destruction is the same as other states that call it total loss or salvage. This car could be titled for the road after a state VIN inspection and safety inspection. Smog is not necessary. VIN and Safety would be a challenge for most DMV inspectors, but it could be done. However, the car would forever carry a salvage title, which for some purists is like finding a cockroach in their salad.
Unless it is a “one of only one” cockroach, then everyone suddenly won’t mind eating bugs
This poor Jag will be back on the road again.Someone will make a new VIN tag with a number from another car that was sold as a parts car.Just a thought.
Soon to be on the road in a country where titles are mere afterthoughts and dodgy repairs the norm.
I’ve looked at several vehicles on co-part in Florida lately. For those unfamiliar – that yellow sticker that has some scribbles on it is actually a marker. The letters are WL meaning Water Line. The line (which is basically on the top rear of the car) is how far up the water came. This car was basically submerged. Very sad, but probably could not be prevented.
Since there’s no electronics and what there electricals are basic, I don’t see major issues here.
There’s always the option of a track car or Historic racing.
Or an export it. I’m no expert on the topic, but how much of the history would follow it if I imported it to Australia?
none
Have to neutralize that salt water intrusion with partial disassembly and cleaning of car and fluid changes. Replace the wiring harness and send out the guages for repair and Bob’s Your Uncle!
A number of states do not issue titles for cars this old. I’m thinking it might be possible to “launder” the paperwork through such a state and lose the certificate of destruction attached to the title.
Seems silly to condemn a flooded car that has zero electronics that would be destroyed by water. If this car was rust free or properly restored without shortcuts prior to being flooded, if would be relatively straightforward (but not cheap) to partially disassemble it, dry it out, and reassemble with restored gauges and switches, upholstery and padding, etc. Most states don’t even require titles for cars this old, and someone could easily swap the VIN plate from a rusty parts car to this one if they were so inclined. I’ll bet it ends up back on the road.
The chassis number which is often used as the VIN is stamped on the frame. Still, not impossible to change, to fool someone that is unsuspecting. Engine number is the other number often used for the VIN on old cars in some states.
I see a great race car project take off all the parts you don’t want and sell them to fund the rest. It’s far better than just parting it out in my opinion.
It’s a Jaguar so the electrics are in the same state as when it left the factory.
Lucas, the prince of darkness
You see a parts car, I see an awesome vintage racecar in the making…
Google the certificate. There are ways around it.
@Fred- And some are even legal!
Sold for 49K- someone got himself a deal. A 140 drophead with non stock motor is coming up soon from the same lot.
@gippy – There are numerous things that are “wrong” on that 140 drophead coupe in addition to the modern motor, such that the buyer should assume that it is a replica car if they do not have a chance to have a knowledgeable person verify what it is.
The question is “Will Canada or Australia or England or Germany, esetc., permit it to be cleaned up and put back on the road?” Do these other countries have legislation similar to the United States that will forbid further use of the car? If not, then export it to a willing Canadian, Australian, etc.
Canada has specific rules banning the import of vehicles with salvage titles. There would be no way to legally import and register this one.
never happened to me
The old saying” If there’s a will there’s a way”. Dishonest car dealers abound. In some states rules are somewhat lax like N.C. where state safety inspections are local garages. If you deal with the owner on a regular basis or in some cases have enough cash your inspection is all but guaranteed. I knew one or two in my time.
why cant you rescue the body and put it on a new frame. make it a resto-mod and get a new registration.
a custom chassis will make it a great runner
Title of Destruction is so BS. This beautiful car can have that reversed thru a referee. A frame off referee review can reclassify this jag. 3 months Max.
I am a former wrecking yard operator in Washington State- so details my vary- but not a lot. An auto wrecker does not need a title per se’. Legal ownership is all that is required. Various forms of documentation can supply this. I once bought a small fleet of Postal Vans that the USPS did not want on the road. To this end, they withheld the titles and made up a funky USPS Form. I contacted the WSP Inspector, and asked if I could buy them with the made up paperwork. He scowled, and said they can’t withhold the title and make up paperwork, but rather than getting in a fight, he would just allow their form. I asked about USPS’ desire to not have them registered. He replied that he didn’t deliver mail, and the Post Office doesn’t determine which vehicles are safe for highway travel. They’re fine. No problem. They made great ice cream trucks- complete with unbranded WA titles.
With the right applications and affidavits I am sure that all that red tape can be cut through.
I suspect Haggarty would insure this car if an agreed value could be reached.
They will write off your car and still let you salvage the hulk because they know there are some of us out there who are crazy enough to fix anything.
Seriously, g
“Glacier Girl” was buried in – well – a glacier – and they FLY it….
KNOWING the storm was coming, the owners or their representatives should have relocated these collector cars from the area. Days ahead was time enough. Easy for me to say from the top of a mountain range, eh? I too think the new owner will not let this automobile stay wet… they have a plan !! It will fly like the wind again !!
Someone has a rotted car with a good title. It will get re-vined and restored.
No problem to fix this as good as new. The title can be legally done in some states and many foreign countries.
Either the reserve was too high or the buyer did not pay, anyway the car is back on the COPART auction scheduled for November 14.
It will be interesting to learn what this re-auction’s high bid will end up at. (I do not get to see the winning bid.)
vintage race car
Jaguar restoration shops would make money getting those donor parts for other projects. Do like the aforementioned post in using this for vintage class racing.
Bidding went to 59,250.00 today on COPART- will have to watch and see if the insurance company lets it go at that price or if it comes back in the rotation. If they let it go, it will be a good deal for the buyer.
Bidding went to 60K, but still no sale- it’s back on the block for Nov 18- Looks like the insurance company is hoping to re-coup a lot.
Back on the block for Nov. 18