MOTOR CARS | 237According to the accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
Certificate, this delightful Jaguar XK120 left the assembly line on
12th August 1952 and was delivered to the distributor Besse & Co in
Aden (Yemen) in September of the same year. Around 1970 it joined
the Aalholm Museum’s collection in Denmark with some 31,000 miles
recorded, a total believed correct.
The current owner purchased the XK in 2012 and commissioned a
comprehensive ‘chassis off’ restoration by specialists in Italy to the
original specification as provided by the JDHT. The body was removed
from the frame then sandblasted clean, rust proofed and repainted
in the original colour, Suede Green. Any repairs were ‘lead loaded’ in
the traditional manner. The front and rear axles were removed from
the chassis, overhauled and reinstalled after the chassis had been
repainted. At the same time the engine and gearbox (both matching
numbers) were disassembled and overhauled.
The only upgrade from the original specification was the use of
higher-compression 8:1 pistons instead of the 7:1 type supplied to
countries where fuel was of low quality. A stainless steel exhaust was
fitted also. The interior has been re-trimmed in the matching original
colour of Suede Green, while the wood trim has been renewed
also. Other parts renewed include the chromework, stainless steel
bumpers and the weather equipment including a new hood frame,
side screens and tonneau cover in the original colour of French Grey.The restoration was only finished earlier this year, since when the
XK has successfully completed the prestigious ‘Le Mitiche Sport
a Bassano’ three-day regularity event in Northern Italy followed
home by, among others, a Jaguar D-Type. The car is offered with
German registration documents, the aforementioned parts and
a book containing more than 500 photographs documenting the
restoration. Aero screens and the original 7:1 pistons are included
in the sale also.
£95,000 - 115,000
€120,000 - 140,000