1952 | Jaguar XK 120 SE OTS

Not only was the XK120 of the most sublime creations to flow from the pen of William Lyons but the C-Type version was also highly successful on the track winning the Le Mans 24hrs both in 1951 and 1953. This example also comes equipped with the special equipment package which includes a lightened flywheel, modified valves and camshafts, a twin sports exhaust system and an 8:1 compression ratio delivering just over 210bhp.

Exported from the Jaguar factory at Brown Lane in 1952 to the first Jaguar distributor in the USA, It was sold to the first, but unknown customer in Santa Monica, California before being registered by Charles Hornburg in 1953. It was then brought back to the UK in 1985 by a Lloyds Name who kept the car in central London before selling it on to a long-time member of the Jaguar Owners Club and used for club meetings and various European tours. After several years, it changed hands again, this time to an enthusiast and experienced restorer who bought the car in 2019, re-trimming the interior back from black to its factory-biscuit & red leather interior and has achieved a patina never before seen by this writer. This Jaguar has been a regular visitor to the Goodwood Revival and concours car shows (where it achieved best in class in Brighton & Hove Motor Club Concourse 2022).
It also underwent a bare-metal re-spray in the early 1980’s and has a correctly numbered C-Type head. Updates for use in modern traffic include a high-torque starter motor, a well put-together aluminium radiator and hidden LED indicators in the wing/side lights. This ‘matching numbers’ XK benefits from an extensive history file including older MoT test certificates, servicing work documentation and a JDHT Heritage Certificate as well as the original workshop manual, hand book and parts list. The boot even contains some tools and a rare & original tyre pump. Driving well and inspected at a recent car show, it appears straight and in original colour scheme, even driving on the correct Avon Turbospeed tyres. Consigned by Edward Bridger-Stille