1954 | Jaguar XK 120 SE OTS

1954 JAGUAR XK 120 OTS SE

• Extremely rare highly original and unrestored example

• Finished successfully the 2020 Mille Miglia

• Accomponied by Fiva Certificate and Registro Mille Miglia Certificate

• The car was extensively prepared for the Mille Miglia to achieve mechanical perfection

• 2018 engine rebuilt and underneath restored

• 2018 complete new wiring installed

• Original Left Hand Drive example

• Just four owners since new

• One of the last XK 120’s produced

• Matching Numbers engine

• Accomponied by a British Motor Heritage Certificate

“We claimed 120 mph (for the XK 120), a speed unheard of for a production car in those days.” – William Heynes, Chief Engineer, Jaguar Cars.

The XK120 was unquestionably one of the finest sports cars of its day, as its chassis provided amazing handling and its engine delivered record-breaking top speed.

Jaguar launched the Jaguar XK120 in 1948 at the London Motor Show as a way to test out a new engine and gauge interest in a new body design. It intended the car to facilitate the evolution of the brand.

Mr. William Lyons, the brand’s founder, didn’t expect to sell many of his novel XKs, they were mainly being used to test engine components and body composition for that potential future sedan—so he made them with readily available, lightweight aluminum. (The conventional method for making car bodies back then used steel, which was scarce after World War II)

Demand for the XK 120 exploded, especially in the United States, where drivers had never seen a postwar sports car.

The XK 120 was considered to be a fabulous value for the money. It felt much more modern than anything else people had driven, especially for the American driver.

Early models came with a straight-six, 160-bhp “XK” engine and a feline body molded out of the aluminum and trimmed in ash wood. It was Jaguar’s first sports car in nearly a decade, so there was a lot of pressure to hit on something that would stick.

Preliminary results were exceptional: The car set speed records, and Jaguar ended up using that engine until the 1980s.

Jaguar’s 3.4-litre straight-six is perhaps one of the greatest engine designs of all time.

This engine is absolutely fabulous and due to the perfect power to weight ratio the car has an amazing performance.

The XK 120 is a car which can be driven on a racetrack but it is also a fantastic car to use for holiday trips.

The big engine is great to drive on the motorway because it does not produces very high revs at higher speed and is therefore very comfortable, but because of the torque an XK is also a superb car to race around in the mountains.

With the beautiful engine/exhaust sound it will 100% give a smile on everybody’s face.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

According to its Heritage Certificate, this remarkable Jaguar XK120 Roadster SE or OTS Open Two-Seater as officially called in the when it was newly sold, was built in left-hand drive form, finished in Lavender Grey with a Red interior and rolled off the production line on the 12th of August 1954.

Being one of the last XK 120’s produced.

It was subsequently despatched from Browns Lane on the 17th of August to arrive at the distributors in Hoffman Motor Car Co., New York in September.

It was destined for its new owner and after a few months, at the 17th of December 1955, with 4,000 Miles on the clock it was purchased in Indianapolis by Mr. Chris W.M. Manolis from a dealership.

In 2011 the 92 years old owner sold the car to Mr. Gary Ray Seraphin from Michigan.

In April 2016 the Jaguar has been found and purchased by a Dutch gentleman, a very good friend of us with an extremely impressive collection.

In 2020 the Jaguar was sold via us to his former Belgian collector with the desire to participate with his daughter in the 2020 Mille Miglia.

The Jaguar was fully serviced and prepared to drive the world’s greatest road race, the car was driver very enthusiastically by them the entire race under extremely circumstances without any problem.

The Jaguar is highly original and has never been taken apart or restored. It has a Matching Numbers engine, gearbox, body and chassis.

Under the bonnet one can find the beautiful original and unrestored 3.4-liter XK engine which is also a desirable ‘Special Equipment’ model with C-Type–style cylinder head. In 2018 the current owner carried out the rebuilt of the engine as well as a fully restoration of the underneath of the Jaguar. He also installed new wiring.

CONDITION EXTERIOR

This is such a car which is almost impossible to find, with an original touch which is hard to find nowadays. Most cars are fully restored but this car is as it was newly delivered and carefully used.

The paint is old but very beautiful with an amazing patina even as the chrome.

Doorfittings are very nice as well.

Some people love brand new restored cars, the people who love original cars prefer this car.

CONDITION INTERIOR

The interior is unbelievable and extremely unique.. Completely original seats as well as original carpets.

The doorpanels are all original even as the steering wheel and all knobs and gauges.

Isn’t it amazing that the first owner who collected the Jaguar from the dealer was sitting on the same leather in 1954…..

The beautiful Red leather interior suits the outside color very nice and the wheels are painted to match the interior.

We always say that it is everyday possible to replace original parts for new parts but going back to originality is impossible and where is it possible to find nowadays cars with original interiors?

The odometer of the car is showing less than 80.000 Miles and if we take a close look at the interior as well as the impressive history file it seems that the Jaguar has just driven this amount of miles during it’s entire life and have had just 4 ownerships since new.

The seat position is extremely comfortable as often with original interiors because the seats have not been filled too much with new filling material.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Purchased by the former Belgian owner out of an extensive collection, no costs are spared for the preparation of this car and it has successfully participated in the 2020 Mille Miglia.

The car was extensively prepared for the Mille Miglia to achieve mechanical perfection yet leave the exterior unchanged, thereby preserving the well worn patina.

The engine offers a lot of power and the car has an immediate response on the gas as well as on the brakes and steering.

The sound of the car is wonderful. It has a beautiful noise from the exhaust. Sporty but still chique.

This car offers a great opportunity to acquire an extremely rare still original and unrestored quintessential British fifties classic that is also beautiful and eligible for various driving events including the Mille Miglia.

We certainly hope to see this Jaguar in the next 2025 Mille Miglia at the start.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website has been compiled by The Houtkamp Collection with the utmost care. The information contained within this advert is provided ‘as-is’, without warranties as to its accuracy whether expressed or implied and is intended for informational purposes only. The Houtkamp Collection is not liable for any errors or mistakes.