1954 Jaguar XK-120 Drophead Coupe

This 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster was offered for sale at the 2007 RM Auctions held in Amelia Island, Florida, where it was estimated to sell between $80,000 - $100,000. The car is powered by a 3442 cc twin overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine capable of producing 180 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drum brakes.

The 'SE' in XK 120SE represented 'Special Equipment' which included wire wheels, dual exhaust and a C-Type cylinder head. The Jaguar C-Type had been Jaguars racing vehicle that had accounted for seven overall victories, including LeMans. With these improvements, the XK 120SE saw an increase in horsepower by 20, to 180.

This 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE was purchased new by Charles E. Gifford of Burbank, California in January of 1954. Its next owner was Jon Canepa Jr. of Saratoga, California, who had a restoration performed on the vehicle, which lasted from 1969 through 1971. It was then shown at the 1972 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where it was awarded an impressive Second in Class.

In 1975, Walter hill purchased the car for his collection. It was shown at the AACA South Florida Regional meet in 1974, where it was awarded Best in Show. The car was then stored in a climate-controlled environment before being sold in 2005 to its next owner. The vehicle's owner then had the car properly checked and serviced, which included a rebuild of the instruments, engine, brakes, and cooling system. The new engine has less than 20 miles when it rolled across RM's auction block. The car proved to be popular, as the selling price escalated quickly. The lot was sold for $90,720.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007