Heavenly 1954 Jaguar XK120SE Roadster Heads to Mecum
Fully-restored Jaguar XK120 SE Roadsters — like this primo one selling soon at Mecum — are the right reason to stay up working long hours.
This is one of the featured cars coming up this May at Mecum in Houston, so start booking your tickets. Mecum is a bit light regarding info on this LHD two-seater, two-door XK120SE’s three-year renovation from body-in-white, however the pictures do it justice. And Mecum says they have full documentation of the entire resto process.
The restoration was focused around being an authentic period-piece with new-old-stock equipment. Look at the aluminum panel fit and the era-correct Cream exterior paint quality. The SE optional 16-inch knock-off wire wheels, matching whitewall radial tires, and servo-powered drum brakes add that proper-era flavor with modern performance. And I think power brakes are a good choice for a weekend racer or cruiser.
Resting in the aluminum-bodied, steel-frame is a young Jaguar 3.4-liter straight six engine with 59,823 miles recorded, which has also been restored. New wiring, piping, and likely a whole lot more went into its rehabilitation. Producing a 180HP, it must be a pleasure to feel while shifting through the original 4-speed manual peaking above 5,000 RPM. Hemmings may have said it best though: “Nothing sounds like a high performance 120 and this car is music to your ears.”
Holding the XK up is a torsion springs independent front and a semi-elliptic leaf spring rear. It’s said to be luxurious yet lively through its smooth recirculating ball steering system. The SE models like this came with firmer suspension plus dual-exhaust tips and optional horsepower, but this model kept its standard power.
The interior is the final part of this masterpiece, showing off red leather with white piping to match its exterior. The quality of this resto is rare on any continent, so make plans for a bidding battle!