1953 Jaguar XK 120 Roadster
A 1953 Jaguar XK 120 roadster with a documented history spanning several American owners. Acquired from its first owner in unrestored condition, the car underwent a meticulous four-year restoration carried out by multiple specialists with parts sourced from leading UK suppliers. Subsequently maintained by a noted Jaguar expert in New York, it later passed to a prominent collector who used it extensively on long-distance rallies and exhibited it at prestigious concours events, earning a class award at Boca Raton.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$103,600
- 1953 →Factory deliveryOriginal ownerpartial documentation
Believed to be the first owner; exact tenure end date not stated.
- 2000 → 2011Private saleOwner acquired via Doc's Jagspartial documentation
Purchased through noted Jaguar dealer Doc's Jags; vehicle was maintained during this period by Jaguar specialist Kurt Braunstein in East Hampton, New York.
- 2011 →Private saleCollector and enthusiastfull documentation
Well-known enthusiast who drove the car extensively across the US, added a new soft top and tonneau cover in 2012, and participated in multiple long-distance rallies. History file includes substantial invoices covering work from 2012 to 2017.
- Date unknownPrivate saleSteven Sigwarthpartial documentation
Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident who undertook a thorough multi-year restoration using specialists in Iowa and Illinois, sourcing many components from UK suppliers. Work spanned approximately four years.
Competition
- 2017Copperstate 1000
One of three 1,000-mile touring rallies entered by the car during this ownership period.
- 2017The Quail Motorsports Gathering
Car was displayed at this prestigious automotive showcase in 2017.
- —New England rally
First of two separate 1,000-mile rallies routed through the New England region.
- —New England rally
Second of two separate 1,000-mile rallies routed through the New England region.
- —Boca Raton Concours d'EleganceExcellence in Class
Car received a class award at this event, described as having taken place the year prior to cataloguing.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2012Bodywork
New black convertible soft top and a matching tonneau cover fitted as part of supplementary restoration work.
- 2012Modification
Several convenience upgrades added, including a replacement choke and a discreetly concealed mobile phone charger under the dashboard.
- 2017Service
Car was prepared and maintained in rally-ready condition for participation in multiple 1,000-mile events.
Invoices totalling over $70,000 cover work carried out between 2012 and 2017 and are included with the vehicle's history file.
- —RestorationTremains Automotive; Simonson's; Riverside Sports Cars
Full restoration carried out over roughly four years while in the care of Steven Sigwarth, using local specialists Tremains Automotive, Simonson's of Taylorville, and Riverside Sports Cars of Swisher, Iowa. The majority of parts were obtained from UK suppliers Guy Broad and XK Engineering.
The original cylinder head had at some point been replaced prior to restoration; the engine block was verified against factory records via a Jaguar Heritage certificate.
- —ServiceKurt Braunstein
Ongoing maintenance and upkeep carried out by Jaguar specialist Kurt Braunstein during the post-2000 ownership period.
Braunstein was based in East Hampton, New York.
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