1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE DHC - Lot 262

1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE DHC Chassis: S678220 Collector's registration - Rare convertible version, more comfortable - Invoice file - Same owner for 18 years - Timeless configuration - Matching Numbers On October 27, 1948, England's first post-war Motor Show opened its doors at Earls Court in London. Nobody was prepared for the shock of seeing the revolutionary new XK 120 on the Jaguar stand. 60 years later, we still look back on the roadster's superb lines and listen with the same pleasure to the roar of that fabulous XK engine. With 6 cylinders and 2 overhead camshafts, it's a true sports engine that powers this sculpture on wheels. The roadster went into production in 1949, and demand was instantaneous. In 1951, the SE version appeared, equipped with modified camshafts and torsion bars, a lightened flywheel and twin exhausts. These modifications enabled the car to develop 180 horsepower. The example we're offering is a Cabriolet (DHC) SE, which has the major advantage of being able to accommodate tall people, thanks to a different bench seat design combined with an adjustable steering column. This XK was delivered new to Los Angeles on April 7, 1954. Its owner tells us that it would have known only two owners in the United States, the second of whom kept it for over 30 years. It was during this period that the car was restored (no file) before being imported to Europe by the nephew of the last American owner. He kept it for a short time before selling it to its current owner. A great admirer of the marque, she has since regularly maintained the car, as evidenced by an extensive invoice file. Notable works include an engine rebuild (with a switch to unleaded) in 2007, and the installation of an electronic ignition in 2015. With this car, the owner took part in numerous rallies, including the prestigious Gran Premio Nuvolari. Today, the car is in good overall condition, the old restoration having aged well, giving the car a charming patina. An ideal version for those who want to drive, this beautiful XK is just waiting for you to get back on the rally trail. 1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE DHC Chassis: S678220 French collector's registration - Rare convertible version, more comfortable - Invoice file - Same owner for 18 years - Timeless configuration - Matching Numbers On 27 October 1948, England's first post-war Motor Show opened its doors at Earls Court in London. Nobody was prepared for the shock of seeing the revolutionary new XK 120 on the Jaguar stand. 60 years later, we still look back at the roadster's superb lines and listen with the same pleasure to the roar of that fabulous XK engine. With 6 cylinders and 2 overhead camshafts, it's a true sports engine that powers this sculpture on wheels. The roadster went into production in 1949 and demand was instantaneous. In 1951, the SE version appeared, equipped with modified camshafts and torsion bars, a lightened flywheel and twin exhausts. These modifications enabled the car to develop 180 bhp. The car we are offering is a Cabriolet (DHC) SE, which has the major advantage of being able to accommodate tall people, thanks to a different bench seat design combined with an adjustable steering column. This XK was delivered new to Los Angeles on 7 April 1954. Its owner tells us that it only had two owners in the United States, the second of whom kept it for more than 30 years. It was during this period that the car was restored (no file) before being imported into Europe by the nephew of the last American owner. He kept it for a short time before selling it to its current owner. A great admirer of the marque, she has since regularly maintained the car, as evidenced by an extensive file of invoices. Notable works include an engine rebuild (with a switch to unleaded) in 2007 and the installation of an electronic ignition in 2015. The owner took part in numerous rallies with this car, including the prestigious Gran Premio Nuvolari. Today, the car is in generally good condition, with the old restoration having aged well, giving the car a charming patina. The ideal version for those who want to drive, this beautiful XK is just waiting for you to take it back to the rally circuit.