1953 Jaguar XK 120 Drophead Coupé

For decades, this Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé remained in the same American family, from its first registration in Arizona in 1953 to the California registration papers preserved into the 1970s—a continuous chain of ownership that is rarely found so completely documented.

The XK120, unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1948, was equipped with an all-new 3. 4-liter six-cylinder engine that delivered approximately 160 hp, enough to propel the car to well over 190 kilometers per hour and thus make it one of the fastest production cars of its time; the model name referred directly to that top speed in miles per hour.

The design was the work of chief designer Sir William Lyons, who drew a streamlined, timeless body that not only gave the car impressive performance but also, thanks to an advanced suspension, surprising agility in corners; that combination of speed and controllability helped Jaguar secure its reputation as a builder of sporty, reliable cars and gave the XK120 the status of one of the first true supercars.

This left-hand-drive example was built on June 16, 1953, for Hornburg in Los Angeles, at the time the brand's primary American importer, and found its way to Pernett Imported Cars in Riverside, officially confirmed by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, which issued a Production Record Trace Certificate, number 67119, on June 25, 2020, for the factory specification in Suede Green with a Suede Green interior and a French Grey soft top, shipped from Coventry on June 29, 1954.

Today, the car presents itself in a deep, glossy green paint finish, combined with cream leather upholstery featuring wood accents on the door trim and a cream pop-top with a small rear window, while the original steel wheels with Jaguar hubcaps on Firestone "500" tires and the complete chrome work underscore the timeless appearance of the model.

The car comes with an extensive documentation file containing the original Jaguar Operating, Maintenance and Service Handbook for the XK120, the Jaguar Service Manual for the Mark VII and XK120 models, the original Spare Parts Catalogue for the XK120 from October 1950, supplemented by modern reference works from SNG Barratt and Anglo Parts, two historic Jaguar dealer booklets from the 1950s, the Production Record Trace Certificate from the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, and the preserved US registration documentation that substantiates the car's ownership history.

Built in 1953, this XK120 falls well within the period used by the modern Mille Miglia storica for admission, as the model actively participated in the original Mille Miglia between 1948 and 1954, making this drophead coupé eligible to participate in the contemporary event.

Contact Metropole Classics for more information or to schedule a viewing of this Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupé.