1950 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster. Rebuild.
Discussion
Back in 2002 my Father purchased a very unwell, very early 1950 XK120 OTS. The car was complete but in many pieces with lots and lots of spares. The initial plan was to borrow a trailer and load it on the back of a Rover 75. On the day of collection we found that the Rover towbar electrics didn't work so we used a back up plan of using Dads trusty 1968 MK2 Jag. This turned out to be a blessing as the journey home from Somerset to Southampton was a struggle even with the 3.8 litres of Jaguar grunt. The asthmatic Rover wouldn't have coped with it at all.
Here it is being collected..
And here she is arriving home.
(We have since replaced the noisy Auto Gearbox with a Maunual Overdrive set up!!)
Once back in Southampton the car was deposited into my Nan's garage where it stayed for many years.
One winters day in 2008 it was time to drag the old girl out of hibernation to pastures new.
Soon after this the strip down continued.
The car was then moved on to our local Jaguar Bodywork Specialist, Lee Ridley at Castle Classics who has transformed it as seen below.
Soon after this it was decided we should proceed to put the engine in prior to the body being placed on the chassis.
And now the fun part....
Phew!
Lee has now fitted the Bonnet, Boot and Doors to which the gaps are spot on, Something Lee is fanatical about!
The final job for Lee was to fit the Steering column, which really doesn't look like it will fit, somehow it did, without any paint tolerance errors!
Once she is home work will commence fitting her up.
I can't wait!
Here it is being collected..
And here she is arriving home.
(We have since replaced the noisy Auto Gearbox with a Maunual Overdrive set up!!)
Once back in Southampton the car was deposited into my Nan's garage where it stayed for many years.
One winters day in 2008 it was time to drag the old girl out of hibernation to pastures new.
Soon after this the strip down continued.
The car was then moved on to our local Jaguar Bodywork Specialist, Lee Ridley at Castle Classics who has transformed it as seen below.
Soon after this it was decided we should proceed to put the engine in prior to the body being placed on the chassis.
And now the fun part....
Phew!
Lee has now fitted the Bonnet, Boot and Doors to which the gaps are spot on, Something Lee is fanatical about!
The final job for Lee was to fit the Steering column, which really doesn't look like it will fit, somehow it did, without any paint tolerance errors!
Once she is home work will commence fitting her up.
I can't wait!
Edited by Le Mans Visitor on Sunday 3rd January 20:09
Edited by Le Mans Visitor on Sunday 3rd January 20:13
I love the trailer pic. That was my first Saab, a 900 SE Turbo Talledega. My first towing experience. The trailer lights didn't work properly so another friend took up the rear in his Lotus. Was a fun day!
And my engine hoist AND my trusty (rusty) mk2 Astra in the engine shots.
I do love helping on the really old stuff, appreciate all it needs to make a car go.
And my engine hoist AND my trusty (rusty) mk2 Astra in the engine shots.
I do love helping on the really old stuff, appreciate all it needs to make a car go.
Thanks for all the comments, we hope to get it on the road for the spring, all being well.
She is now trimmed up and is just needing some minor fettling before she can be released on to the queens highways.
a8hex said:
I see you've changed your mind about the wheels, they look great on wire wheels, but such an early XK120 should have spats 
You may be getting confused with the other car we have undergoing a 'lengthy' rebuild, Dad's XK 120 FHC.
She is now trimmed up and is just needing some minor fettling before she can be released on to the queens highways.
Le Mans Visitor said:
Thanks for all the comments, we hope to get it on the road for the spring, all being well.
She is now trimmed up and is just needing some minor fettling before she can be released on to the queens highways.
Very nice, a brace of XK120s like ExKay's, your father is a lucky man with good taste.a8hex said:
I see you've changed your mind about the wheels, they look great on wire wheels, but such an early XK120 should have spats
You may be getting confused with the other car we have undergoing a 'lengthy' rebuild, Dad's XK 120 FHC.She is now trimmed up and is just needing some minor fettling before she can be released on to the queens highways.
My comment about the wire wheels was based on there being some silver painted wires by the car in a few of the early shots of your original post.
Good luck with both projects.
ToneyCaroney said:
120 is lovely, of course. I'm equally interested in the 'Mk2'. Bumpers and year would suggest a 240/340 but only a handful were factory spec'd with a 3.8 lump. Is it one of those?
It is actually, as your correctly spotted, a 340 with a 3.8 lump fitted. Unfortunately not by the factory. Le Mans Visitor said:
ToneyCaroney said:
120 is lovely, of course. I'm equally interested in the 'Mk2'. Bumpers and year would suggest a 240/340 but only a handful were factory spec'd with a 3.8 lump. Is it one of those?
It is actually, as your correctly spotted, a 340 with a 3.8 lump fitted. Unfortunately not by the factory. 
Hmm. 14 years and counting, but how many before I see her here in the Sarthe? You Dad's been promising for years to bring the E-type, but I don't think it really exists. Photos of the Classic will be posted on this site!
Seriously, the last time I saw it was when the E-type was being rebuilt and as always Lee has done a fantastic job. These were taken 2/1/14.
ETA:- From memory, doesn't she have rather a wonderful registration?
You Dad's been promising for years to bring the E-type, but I don't think it really exists. Photos of the Classic will be posted on this site!Seriously, the last time I saw it was when the E-type was being rebuilt and as always Lee has done a fantastic job. These were taken 2/1/14.
ETA:- From memory, doesn't she have rather a wonderful registration?
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 4th January 08:06
Great car! Mine is a close relative, also December 1950 (660403), though mine is on wires and I'm not sure how much of it is original. The chassis is, but the engine is from a 3.4 "S" type and the gearbox is a five speed, fitted by me after the old Moss box shed some teeth. It also has no early history so far - all I know is that it was new in Bradford and was originally metallic bronze, two tone interior and biscuit hood, which must have looked pretty slick in grim austerity days. Anyhow, good luck with the car.
Perseverant said:
Great car! Mine is a close relative, also December 1950 (660403), though mine is on wires and I'm not sure how much of it is original. The chassis is, but the engine is from a 3.4 "S" type and the gearbox is a five speed, fitted by me after the old Moss box shed some teeth. It also has no early history so far - all I know is that it was new in Bradford and was originally metallic bronze, two tone interior and biscuit hood, which must have looked pretty slick in grim austerity days. Anyhow, good luck with the car.
Any pictures of it?Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff