Barn Finds has featured many a derelict Jaguar XK, but only one XK120 drophead coupe (DHC) in the last eight years. That’s because just 1769 dropheads were made in the XK120 series during 1953 and 1954, out of more than 12,000 examples of all body styles. While the roadster had rudimentary and inconvenient weather equipment, and the fixed head lacked open-air appeal, the drophead offered a comfortable compromise, with roll-up windows, opening vent windows, a heater, and a convertible top attached to the rear cowl. For fans of the Big Cat seeking an example of this rare body style, here on eBay is a 1953 Jaguar XK120 drophead coupe barn find with an asking price of $55,000. Last prowling the road in 1966, the car has been stored on blocks since then. You’ll have to trailer it to its new garage from Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Better hurry, though – even at this price the listing has 21 prospective buyers watching it. We have Russell Glantz to thank for spotting this car – thanks, Russell!

The XK120 was developed as a test bed for a motor that Jaguar began developing in early 1945. High gas prices after WWII prompted Jaguar’s engineers to aim for a well-performing fuel-efficient engine, so the earliest version of the XK motor was a four-cylinder. By the time the XK120 was produced in 1948, the new mill sported dual overhead camshafts, six cylinders, and twin SU H6 carburetors. Displacement was 3.4 liters and it generated 160 bhp. The “120” in the model name described the car’s top speed, which any ordinary driver could achieve by rowing aggressively through the four gears in the Moss ‘box. Better drivers blasted their Jags up to 130 mph. This car’s motor does turn, does develop compression, and does hold oil pressure; the seller did not start the engine, suggesting that the fuel system should be cleaned out and the carbs rebuilt first. All number match – the block, the head, the transmission, and the body. The odometer reads 6104 miles. The brakes work, though a rebuild would be wise.

The interior was recovered in the 1960s in red vinyl, including the dash. A portion of the material was cut away to reveal the walnut beneath. Resurrecting the original dash might be impossible but at least remove that horrid vinyl! It buries the gauges and probably makes the switches balky. The seller indicates the top is intact but too shrunken to use. The tool kit is present.

The underside is clean but for surface rust, thanks to dry storage. The frame rails are straight. The seller indicates that the black paint is original, but I am not sure how valuable that is. If the interior was also original and in good shape, I might try to nurse the car along on its current cosmetics after a mechanical refurbishment. But the buyer is already in for a new top and a new dash. Meanwhile, a perfectly adequate example can be had for $100k. Cars like this always confound me: the low mileage is attractive but undocumented; it’s mostly original but not completely; and it doesn’t run and drive. Not where I want to be in the market, but what do you think?