1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster With an Older Restoration

This seller of this 1953 Jaguar XK120 Open Two-Seater (or OTS, Jaguar's term for a two-seat roadster) with a rare aftermarket removable hardtop and older restoration identifies that he has owned the Jaguar for the past eight years and enjoys driving it in the scenic Texas Hill Country. The Jaguar presents strongly in contrasting white with a bold red interior. Importantly, no modifications have been made from new , other than the addition of the removable hardtop. - the car as a Category 3 and points out that the flat steel wheels and rear wheel spats were original to the XK120 design. The 3.4-liter Jaguar XK DOHC inline-six, with two SU-H6 carburetors and 8.0:1 compression, was rated by the manufacturer at 160 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm when new, with a four-speed manual transmission. - he has no knowledge if the engine is original, but that it has run perfectly while I have owned the car. Cold starts are reported to be made with no smoke, and the transmission is all good. There are no leaks or weeps identified, and the underhood area presents as stock. The odometer displays 28,788 miles, while the true mileage may be unknown. - there is no visible rust on the white exterior. He writes that he is unsure when the Jaguar was last repainted, noting that on very close inspection small blemishes can be seen around the front bumper mounts and there are small cracks in the paint at the rear. All trim appears complete and presents strongly, with some signs of aging. The windshield is described as in great condition, with no leaking seals. The folding top (which is not shown in the photos) is described as in excellent condition. The removable fiberglass hardtop appears to fit snugly and is one of several offered by the aftermarket for XK120 roadsters. No mention is made of side curtains. All lights are working - The red vinyl seats, door panels, and trim have been redone prior to the seller's ownership, with no cracks or cuts identified. The red carpet is described as in good condition, with no holes, and includes the finished trunk area. All trim is said to be complete. The dashboard is covered in black vinyl, and all gauges and controls are complete. The seller remarks that the speedometer is off a little bit. One blemish can be observed in the top padding of the dash, and the welt between the padding and the dash panel displays cracking. The four-spoke steering wheel and adjustable steering column appear to be original. There are no side windows, locks, or heater. - No issues are reported with the recirculating-ball manual steering that points straight. Suspension service is unknown, but the seller notes that bushings and shocks have no leaks and feel good. The brakes could use work, feeling like old car brakes but probably right for a 70-year-old car. The 16-inch flat steel wheels and trim are also original and correct for the standard XK120 (wire wheels came with the SE and M special equipment 120s in the U.K. and the U.S. and many standard cars were later converted). The wheels show only normal chips around the rims. The seller writes that the 175-16 Goodyear Deluxe All Weather radial tires have good tread, although the age of the tires is unknown and could not be determined from the photos provided. Jaguar Heritage Trust records show that this left-hand-drive 1953 Jaguar XK120 Open Two-Seater is one of only 1,202 such roadsters built for export in 1953. The older restoration continues to display the originality of this convertible, including the flat steel wheels and rear wheel spats as well as the rare, removable aftermarket fiberglass hardtop.