1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe
- Engine
- 3.4L DOHC straight-six, twin 1¾-inch SU carburetors, 190 bhp
- Colour
- Birch Grey with French Grey convertible top
A left-hand-drive 1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe, one of 1,769 produced, delivered new through Jaguar distributor Charles Hornburg in Los Angeles and believed to have spent its entire life in Oregon. Discovered under a tarp in suburban Portland by David Adams in 1971, it became the catalyst for his career as a restorer. Adams carried out an exhaustive frame-off restoration at his own Lake Oswego Restoration shop, finishing the car in its correct Birch Grey with period-accurate details throughout. Post-restoration, it took Best of Show at Portland's All-British Field Meet in 2006.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$121,000
- 1953 → 1953-05-14Factory deliveryCharles Hornburgpartial documentation
Hornburg served as Jaguar distributor for the Los Angeles region and received the car as part of his dealership allocation.
- 1953-05-14 →Private saleMiss V.M. Donaldsonpartial documentation
First retail buyer, believed to have kept the car in Oregon throughout her ownership.
- 1971 →Private saleDavid Adamsfull documentation
Acquired as his first car while still in secondary school, discovering it stored under a cover in the Garden Home area. He later performed a complete frame-off restoration through his own restoration business, Lake Oswego Restoration.
Competition
- 20062006 Portland All-British Field MeetBest of Show
The vehicle took top honors from a field of approximately 650 competing cars shortly after its restoration was completed.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2006RestorationLake Oswego Restoration
Comprehensive frame-off restoration returning the car to its factory Birch Grey finish with French Grey hood and red leather interior. Work used predominantly date-coded correct parts along with genuine Jaguar fasteners and fittings. Interior woodwork was replaced in full with a correctly finished new set despite the originals being sound. Modifications included fitment of Koni Classic front shock absorbers and a two-inch stainless sports exhaust; the transmission was rebuilt and confirmed original via JDHT Certificate.
The original engine block was retained; the cylinder head is a factory replacement of uncertain date, lacking a stamping number. The original starter motor was preserved alongside a gear-reduction replacement unit.
- —Engine rebuildMt. Hood Community College
Initial mechanical rebuild carried out by David Adams as coursework during the Foreign Car program at Mt. Hood Community College, representing the first major mechanical overhaul of the car.
Adams subsequently undertook a three-year internship at Leyfax Garage in Portland to refine his skills following this initial rebuild.
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