This 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE is a stunning classic that underwent a frame-off refurbishment in 2000. It has covered a mere 3,000 since work ended, meaning its presentation is still pretty spectacular. It isn’t totally original, but its ability to turn heads and receive positive comments is reflected by its accumulated collection of show silverware. The time is right for it to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed the Jaguar here on eBay in Youngstown, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $40,100 due to moderate interest.
The seller provides a detailed history of this Jaguar, emphasizing the rebuild performed in 2000. They call it a frame-off restoration, but I believe it should be considered a refurbishment. This is driven by the information on the Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate revealing that the original owner ordered this classic in Pastel Blue. The work was performed on a rust-free vehicle that retained its original factory steel and aluminum. The panels were massaged to perfection before a coat of stunning Jaguar Silver Metallic was applied. The car has covered only 3,000 miles since the work ended, meaning any marks or imperfections are minor. It remains rust-free, with the underside shots revealing no problems or issues. The build included a new set of beautiful Dayton stainless steel wire wheels that sparkle in as-new condition. The remaining trim and glass are equally impressive, while the Navy Blue Hartz canvas top is literally this Jag’s crowning glory.
Another change performed during the refurbishment surrounded the interior trim shade. The Certificate confirms the vehicle originally featured Red, but the refurbishment brought a transition to Dark Blue leather. The limited usage since the project ended means there have been no opportunities for anything to become worn or damaged. The driver’s seat has a few wrinkles that are part of the developing character of aging leather, but there are no genuine flaws or defects. The carpet is spotless, the dash is stunning, and the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. The overall condition of the interior and exterior makes it easy to understand why the trunk houses an impressive collection of silverware.
Lifting the Jaguar’s hood reveals a 3.4-liter DOHC six that sends 180hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The drag strip wasn’t this car’s natural habitat, but its ability to top 122mph made it an effective open-road tourer that could hold its own against many similar European models. The seller indicates the engine is numbers-matching and received a meticulous rebuild during the 2000 refurbishment. No aspect of the powerplant escaped attention in a bid to return it to its best. The braking system has been replaced, and the conversion to ventilated front discs should improve driver confidence and safety. Significant TLC was lavished on the suspension, with a long list of new parts installed, including ball joints, tie rods, and shocks. The car has seen little use during the past twenty-three years but has always been appropriately maintained. Potential buyers should consider the XK a turnkey classic, with the seller confirming it runs and drives perfectly and will comfortably cruise at 80mph.
This 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE is a stunning vehicle, and although it is not completely original, recent sales results suggest bidding remains well short of the reserve. A figure of around $70,000 is the lowest I would expect, although the overall condition means the seller may have loftier goals. It has only attracted eleven bids, and while the lack of originality may be partly to blame, a significant recent fall in values might also be the culprit. Do you think it will reach the reserve? If it does, what is your estimate for the final sale price?
Beautiful car. I’m a supporter of the color change, outside and inside. Can’t look any better than this.
It’s a funky market on these. Exposure is it’s friend and should bring 100k.
Change your title- this is not a 140 SE.
Back in the day Ohio used the engine number for the title and not the chassis number. I have a copy of the original title.
Glorious, stunning, fantastic! I don’t care if it’s NOT 100% totally original! Waaaaay ahead of its time in 1954…
What a beauty. I wish I wasn’t so poor.
Dayton stainless steel wheels. I bet the only silverware it won was in America where originality is a moveable feast
The spokes are polished stainless steel and look like chrome, while all the rest of the wheel is chrome.
looks like 15″ wires, vented disks mean a minimum S2 XJ conversion under the front end. Based on the installation, its not a ‘deal-killer’ as most of what I see in the photos is not too expensive to put back to original. Color combo is close enough to an original type combo that it also shouldn’t be a killer. Yeah its not back to the original color combo, but the original blue over red takes a special stomach to affect value. Overall a nicely presented car
They are the original style 16″ wire wheels.
This thing has got to reach over 6 digits, the next generation will probably see it close to 7 digits. It is more than an English icon it’s an automotive legend that will live forever!
As the one time owner of a 150 XK S, fixed head, this is the car to have, looks wise, anyway. Although you can go 80 all day it is a prime theft magnet, scary in freeway traffic since you are so exposed, awful in the rain since the tops leaked, and, the Lucas electrical might leave you stranded if wet, but, I guess, who is going to buy this and drive it anyway? The kind of car you just put in the living room (with drip pans since they leak) and admire it, trailer it behind your reliable Ford/Chevy/Ram/Toyota pickup and take to Pebble Beach, Amelia, or Greenwich, depending on where you live, and fail to get a trophy since it is so far from original. Although I saw a purple Minerva, with a fuzzy purple interior, which barely ran from the trailer to the parking spot, amid clouds of smoke from the side valve engine, win in Massachusetts some years ago. I guess the engine was original to the car, but the colors and interior were an interior decorator’s bad dream.
I would certainly drive it. But not in the rain. Try to avoid heavy traffic anywho cause to be real , a stick is fur open roads , not 9-5. The old country road I live on is grown up with sub divisions. BUT go bout 20 min straight and you got open twisty road for about 50 miles. So yeah. I’d drive it. If I could afford the radiator cap 🤣
the purest are a funny group
The front bumpers and grill look a 120 to me…..
All the chrome and sheet metal are original along with the engine and transmission
I would not mind at all acquiring this XK-120 if I had the garage space–which I don’t. The two things I would do to it is revert to correct 16 inch wire wheels and have the exhaust pipes changed over to something thinner, as those massive pipes sticking out the back right now look very anachronistic. Two thinner pipes with nice stainless steel tips would give the cat the look of an XK-120M.
The wheels are original style 16″
I had one of these in the early eighties when I was in college. We had a friend that had one stored in a shed(!) and it hadn’t been driven in over a dozen years. It had belonged to her father, he passed, and she just wanted it gone. I was a young car enthusiast with one amateur restoration under my belt (a MOPAR), and I bought it from her for $800. I had to deal with rodent damage, chewed wires, a gas tank full of bad gas, dead batteries (2 x 6V) and dryrotted tires. I put another $1000 into it (a goodly sum for a college kid back then!), and I had it back on the road. I had to track down a British car mechanic to help me sort out the SU carbs, and thought he was punking me when he asked if I had oiled them, but he wasn’t kidding. He helped me with the Lucas electrics as well.
I enjoyed that car for about 3 years and then sold it for $4500 to pay off my college bills. Every time I see an XK-120 for sale, I get that sick feeling that it was the one that got away. Not just for the fact it would be worth many multiples of what I sold it for, but that I have never owned a more beautiful car and probably will never own anything like it again.
Don’t beat yourself up too much, everybody here has a similar story about the one that got away.😉
Wow, what a good looking car!!
I bought mine for $400 with a broken exhaust cam, bought a new cam and chain, a shop manual, and put it all together. Never got the carbs right, but drove it for a year with rusted doors, torn top, other cosmetic deterioration and sold it for $400. Like TinCanSailor I regret selling it.
“I’ve been asked to do a COLD START on this 1974 XK120…” Maybe the seller should start with a better video that identifies the correct year. Also, he should keep his foot off the accelerator, because it looks suspiciously like he’s holding the revolutions himself. A time lapse of the idle/choke decay might be good.
DA – if your not familiar with the Jaguar cold starting solenoid, it will hold the RPM’s high for about 2-3 minutes.
Sorry just sold a 1974 E Type, my 70 year old brain sometimes slips away.
If the cold start solenoid works, why does he need to do anything other than crank it? Did you watch the video? I am reacting to what I see, not what the vehicle is supposed to do.
Once you learn the idiosyncrasies of these cars you will understand how they work!
This XK120S is currently for sale privately. If Interested call me direct at 330-550-0022
Cheers
Tom Z.