Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Sad Old Cat: 1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

The “120” in the XK name referred to the top speed of this Jaguar, the fastest production car when it was introduced in 1948. This XK is listed on eBay in Hanover, Massachusetts with an unmet opening bid of $25,500. It appears to have serious rust issues and the chassis is described as weak. There are no pictures provided of the underside but one can only imagine how grim the view must be.

 

 

There’s not much left inside except the seat frames, steering wheel, and a few gauges. It will take a lot of serious work to bring this interior back to its former beauty and there’s not much left to work with. There would no doubt be a lot more daylight showing if you looked under that particle board.

There’s no word on the state of the engine. It appears basically complete, but with the radiator open, there could be corrosion in unfortunate places.

There is serious rust from every angle so there’s not quite as much shade under this Jag as there should be. The steel body seems to have rusted away leaving the aluminum trunk lid hanging. This company apparently just sold another XK120 that appeared to be a much more solid car for only a little more money. There are similar cars in a lot better condition also for sale for about $25,000. This Jag could be a six-figure car, but could it be restored for less than it’s worth? Is this a parts car or is there any hope for this sad old Jaguar?

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    If it suited the sellers needs they were more than capable of including pictures of the frames in some of their other auctions.

    Steve R

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Mac

    I can’t comment on any other details, but that looks like a grill from an XK140, not a 120.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Big Al

    Why are the radiator caps and air cleaners always gone?

    Like 0
  4. Avatar John H from CT

    A few years ago a family came to my Jag mechanic with a request to get their XK120 running again. They had neglected it in a damp barn for many years. It had turned into swiss cheese and was a total loss. I think this one is likely the same, just worth the salvageable parts value. Even if not, worth nowhere near the asking price and not a full restoration candidate.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Jag-Yew-Arrrrrghhh

    You just never know.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Dave Wright

    I sold a much worse looking 120 drop head coupe about 10 years ago. It was a total basket. Sold for 12,000 to an Englishman that flew to California, hand packed each part in bubble wrap, loaded it into a shipping container and sent it back to England for a full restoration. Every part for these cars is readily available. With examples selling for over 100K this is far from a parts car. It will be restored and enjoyed somewhere by someone. These are an incredible motor car with a loyal following world wide that has persisted since the day they were built.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Chris

    The condition of the car and the asking price dosen’t make any sense .

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Anthony

    Someone will bring it back. The planet has many talented people.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar KC Jones

    That’s a lot of parts at 25k to make a 100k car w/o labor and “Whole lotta” melt work.
    Maybe some Hillbilly can make a rat rod 🤣.

    Someone just spit out their tea😝

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Jerry A

    this puts a literal meaning to the term ‘floorboards’…

    the outer panels look easy enough to duplicate, but who knows what’s involved with the structural elements to hold it together. there’s a lot of preparatory support work to do before cutting any metal.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Joss

    Pretty much every panel is available, a whole new body can be bought for 35k or so. Lots of work, but doable with patience and a ton of how-to information online. Labor cost is the determining factor. Great project for when you’re retired and have the skills.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar bog

    Is it OK to say that the sellers are a couple of crooks ? (Capital “C”)….

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to Anthony Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.