Building a Barn Find Jaguar XK120 Alloy!
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Sold during RM Sothebys ONLINE ONLY SHIFT/Monterey sale for $165,000USD.
rmsothebys.com...
Here we build a 1950 Jaguar XK120 Alloy chassis 670053 after being sat dormant in a barn for 39 years. It is one of only 242 pre-production cars bodied in aluminum and also one of around 139 surviving cars. #barnfindhunter #xk120
Yes of course no lead in an aluminum body. sorry.
Thank you Richard that was a great dig! Your passion is amazing!
What fun to watch. In 1979 I bought a 1950 XK120 Roadster at a tractor auction about 20 miles outside of Chattanooga , TN for $2,000.
It was #250 as I recall. I drive it hone to Atlanta with only one breakdown. Of course I checkeck the wire from the could to the distributor and pushed it in tight. I removed the distributor cap and the spring loaded center pin flew out over my shoulder into tall grass.
I saw an old nail in the ground and roughed it up on the road to a shine. I jammed it into the Dist cap. I found a wooden match stuffed it in as a shim to keep the nail in place.
I put the cap back on. It started up immediately and I drove home. Never changed it.
Great basic sports car with super performance.
I bought a 1952 Roadster in 1972, still have it too. Magnificent car. Every time I drive it it brings me a smile. :))
Really enjoyable viewing. Thanks.
Great stuff. (The licence plate looks more like OWW99.)
Hey Richard as far as I am aware (and I could be wrong) Jaguar used a Hemispherical engine from 1947 onward, this one has flat top pistons is that correct ?
6:40 Lead on an alloy body?
Any XK 120 restoration project is daunting indeed. Just keeping one in operating condition requires the patience of a saint and solid mechanical skills. Having owned one for over 45 years I am constantly impressed with the complexity of the entire assembly. So many pieces to the puzzle! Some may be unaware that the massive frame was lifted from the yet to be released Mark VII saloon car and suitably modified by shortening it considerably. The XK 120 really stood out from contemporary sports cars in that the super stiff frame made for better handling. These cars were raced in the La Carrera Panamerica in Mexico on dirt roads. The drawback was the excessive weight. The Jaguar C type was the next evolution of the XK race car and was considerably lighter and faster as a result. Jaguar racing development was World Class in the 1950’s and led to multiple Le Mans victories. This recognition combined with William Lyons’ beautiful forms, top speed, and relative affordable cost was the driver behind Jaguar’s spectacular growth. The timeless beauty of the XK 120 kept many non functional cars stored away in sheds and barns around the world for decades as the owner never gave up on the dream of restoration. That dream is still profoundly evident today, as this car demonstrates. Probably the automotive highlight ( of many) of my life was to drive my XK 120 to the Pebble Beach Concours at Monterey and mingle with the fine folks there, knowing that I didn’t arrive in a rental car. The trip home to Seattle was epic.
Nothing like comentary of an owner. Thanks.
This marvellous piece of automotive history deserves to have no expense spared, I do also believe it should be done by someone like yourself Richard, with a passion for jaguar. A true labour of love. Thumbs up from me Sir.
Thanks for the feedback. I will help however I can with the restoration and hopefully keep track of it. The body restoration is beyond my expertise that's for sure.
One of the most fascinating videos on RUclips.
Your license plate OWW 99 might be a red herring. It was originally registered in February 1955 from the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to an (unknown) vehicle, more than likely right-hand drive. Your XK120 roadster was one of 240 built between 1948-1950 and based on your chassis no. (67........) a left-hand drive version. Your original colour could be suede green or pastel green metallic. Mant thanks for an absorbing video of a magnificent car and i wish you all the best in your restoration.
OWW 99 - a Yorkshire registration number at that time (since 1972 WW has been West of England). I once owned NWW 865 P, a 1976 Austrin Allegro 1750 HL from Doncaster :).
Hand built at the works assembly plant probably at Foleshill .
I followed one of these up the M40 2 days ago. Looked fantastic!
License plate 120OLD
I see this has sold for a tick over $150K. I hope it ends up back in your shop!
I had a 1953 XK120 back in 1958. It was my first car. I was 18 years old. I seem to remember that the rear springs were wrapped with something.
Wish I still had the car!
JIM
Yes indeed the rear springs had leather gators. Or wraps.
I’m pretty sure that colour we called mint green in the U.K.. I worked at a Jag/Daimler main dealer in Newcastle on Tyne England. Lovely car, good job Richard.
Hey Richard. Just had a look at the auction details . Bet that gives you a good feeling ...." marque expert Richard Michael Owen " l know it would give me a buzz! 😊
After seeing you finish up on this remarkable car and then returning it to the barn, what is its future? Being a very early one and alloy it is extremely rare and valuable.
Interesting, UK plates on a LHD car? Most likely there for nostalgia rather than actually used on the vehicle. MM shows to be London from 1961 onwards, presumably until 1963 when the date code was added so they actually post-date the vehicle.
My Father had just purchased an XK120 a few months before he was killed in an Industrial accident. I was 15 years old. My mom new I wanted it but, she new it would be better if the car could go to a good home. I lived in Concord Ca. in 1975. A man who owned a # of Gas Stations in the area bought it ? ( not sure ) I would love to be able to know if this car is still around. ( wishful thinking ) I don't have any paper work. I am currently 63 years old. My Fathers name was the same as mine. Ted E Holman.
I think the number plates are OWW 99
you're right
I owned 660046 in '74-75 in Australia, stripped it back to bare alloy, sold it to a Jaguar dealer for little, bought it back in '80 with body restored and repainted, but with the ID plate and other parts stolen. I then sold it to a friend with more time. So I guess there's two ali XK's, number 660046 now, one for sale in NZ for 250 000 pounds UK.
super nervous moment as you left one (right side) screen hanging by gravity and the slightest pillar as you put the left side on. i was like "dont fall out...dont fall out". Great you found those original parts Richard..so nice to bring it all back together....original only once. thank you (from Mississauga, Ontario).
Those plates are upside down..
"OWW 99"....
The crank is mainley for timing and not so much for starting the motor !!
What a fun project and what a result! Great detail in the video. I learned a lot. On top of that, the photo presentation on Sothebys is awesome, and, they call you out by name as a “marque expert”. Congratulations all around. My only disappointment is the scarcely of your father. It’s always a joy to see the two of you talk through challenges, and sharing even more knowledge with us.
Cheers.
Great barn find! I’m inspired to go work on my XJS. Love the lines of the XK120.
I'm sure I will add lots of silly comments and I am sure you are aware but the catches that hold the rear of the top are the same as the ones used on a later MGB
Great Job, especially finding all those pieces and putting the puzzle back together again
Thanks
A great job there with your usual attention to detail.
It must be a wrench to hand it back as I am sure you would have loved to put it back into concourse condition.
Don't tell Richard Hammond
The handcrank is known as a Starting Handle in Britain.
I just Love, Love this car! I just wish i could afford it! You did an Amazing job putting it back together!
Thanks for watching. Great to have you along.
'A thing of beauty and a joy forever," indeed, you said it.
I hope this will end up in the hands of someone who will lovingly and faithfully restore it in every factory original detail. Thankyou, Richard for sharing this gem with us.
You have the patience of a saint. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to rebuild the engine to 300 H.P. Good luck , Mr. Owen. Should the rebuilt engine fail as a result of abuse from the next owner, I will disavow any knowledge of your actions.
Fantastic great work Thanks for sharing
Great video. Thanks l’ve watched it at least twice since you posted it. So amazing to see what did with the car. Inspirational. I have a couple projects.
Richard what a great thing for you to get this Jag ready for a Sothebys auction. You'er getting lots of respect for what you have been doing with the XK"s, Wahoo !
What an outstanding job
Someone is going to have a stunning car when she is back together. The only thing to work out is. A full restoration back to factory or keep her more or less as she is? Thank you for sharing this car I watched the episode when you visited the owners garage and felt sad that the cars just sat in boxes. 👍👍👍
It will be fully restored back to Suede Green I can confirm.
@@RichardMichaelOweneven more beautiful once done 👍
what a beautiful car, would love to see it running.
Well done for saying Jaguar correctly. The vast majority of Americans ALWAYS say Jag-waar which really pisses off us Brits.
37:57 We call it a "gear knob" in the UK, because it's a knob that changes gears.
Somebody has a nice complete project to strip back to its individual components again. At least they know that most of them are present, and where they go,
For a car like that, having a proper aluminum hood made would be the only way to go, and it's not likely to be a significant addition to the cost.
More treasures are in the barn! Go back!
the British registration plates could be 66MMO (APR 56 ) or 99 OWW (JAN 55) still nice to have , also i noticed there was no 4'' garrington Jaguar adjustable spanner , i have one on my key ring
The adj spanner was a lot larger for the early cars. The four-inch version came in all manners of manufacture including garrington, gedore and bachco. Thanks for watching.
What a great documentary, such attention to detail and so very interesting I am sure to any car buff, not just a Jag fan. Thanks so much for this, keep up this great skill you folks have at sorting and assembling classic cars.
Loving that ! great video
Yeah ...that's got my juices flowing again...
I did a similar job to a 150 in the early 90s.
Not as special as this one in the real world .. however she's still very, very special to us.
PASSION 💯
Sensational work gentleman.Great to see fine craftsmanship never goes out of fashion
I was slightly disappointed, the title should be finding the parts for a barn find Jaguar XK150. Maybe building is what you call it, and restoring is repairing ? Anyway, you do know your Jaguars, I had an E Type once, did drive an XK150, but my hobby was building race engines , which became a business. Not Jaguars, mainly Fords, Cosworths, Climax, etc.
i would have watched this if it was twice as long!
Thanks Richars. Awesome video, you have done your best to make this XK120 as complete as possible. I hope someone can pick this car up and take it forward to a full restoration. A bit far away from me in NZ though.
Like viewing a recreation of peering into Tutankhamun's tomb. Love it, but what price for what for many people is just an old car! Otherwise for many a rare gem, prepared to pay a fortune! Jaguar certainly didn't build these cars to last, especially in the wrong climate, which is were the US climate steps in, in preserving these gems. I'm sure Bill Lyons is looking down with amazement.
G'day Richard.
What a beautiful example of classic automotive art and I wonder, if the aluminium in that car might be comprised of or contain aircraft grade alloy recycled from WWII aircraft?
As I understand it Britain does not have indigenous deposits of Bauxite from which aluminium is refined and a great many if not majority of aircraft from WWII were recycled.
US manufactured equipment was certainly required to be scrapped after cessation of hostilities by all recipients as a condition of lend-lease agreements.
Many aircraft were melted down and used to make cooking utensils and automotive parts like engines and wheels due to chronic shortages which persisted for more than a decade after the end of the war.
alloy 120's are the finest of all XK's... 20 years ago I first looked at 120's, they were reasonable... for about 2 years. Projects were 12-15k and by 2003-2004 they were 30k... and nice cars were close to six figures.
Thanks for posting these vids. Learn a lot. They are so cool.
When I first saw this car in the barn I thought how much fun it would be to crawl around on it with a flashlight. Well, I just did and it was! Thank you for documenting this unique jigsaw puzzle.
What a great find! - and such an exciting opportunity! You've done an excellent job at reassembling this rare beauty and properly documenting what's there - Bravo Richard!
Can't imagine who would dislike this, I really enjoy the content Richard, thank you.
I disliked it, because you hardly see any actual work done here. it's just talking, talking..... People wanna see how the car ist built, repaired etc.
Jimi Blue still don't think that's grounds to dislike a video somebody worked hard on, still interesting to me, fair criticism though
your missing the Garrington Jaguar 4'' adjustable spanner for your XK120
Nice piece. " I promise, everything's there. "
Would like to get in touch with Michael May I was just wondering is he's the same Mike that had the Jaguar shop and El Segundo California
Are you talkin about Mike May that owned a Jaguar shop that owned a Jaguar shop in El Segundo California
Where the two hundred original cars all hand shaped or the bodies were done with pressings , and why did they stop alloy production after 200 ????
OWW 99 ?
Truly enjoyed watching this progression. Bringing history back to life is incredibly exciting!
Holy hour long video, sweet!
Hi Richard. Very exciting for you ! Did you return to Michaels with the car to take the final pictures ? I don't see this attaining the sale price , this would cost more than it's worth . Although l guess someone out there may just do it for the passion. Oh well , back to the mundane stuff .....like a 150 !!! Thanks Richard.
Thanks John. Yes the car went back as Sothebys wanted the car photographed with the barn.
@@RichardMichaelOwen Richard , if l win a couple of million the 120's yours !
If this is planet Earth, there is no way this car was made any other year than 1949..and nothing simple about it
Come on Richard you’re better than that that’s not 66MMO it’s 0WW99
You're right. I hope the history of that plate turns up.
Richard Michael Owen you can try contacting the DVLA in England I did look online and it doesn’t show but obviously if you write to them or call them they may be able to give you some basic information other than that obviously with the data plate you can get a heritage certificate from Jaguar themselves , but then again you probably already know this.
What a find, in this day and age... I'm glad it ended in your care.
PS: regarding the tools (can of worm I know...), you may want to have a glance at forums.jag-lovers.com/t/mystery-jaguar-tools/372910/20 etc. esp R Payne's posts : I believe the T/W appeared in the late 50s, more chances to be correct with the Snail brand for early car...
In the whole collection of these XK120s I didn't see a single snail spanner.
That's my BIL you're talking about there :-)
I think you may find that the registration plate is...OWW 99...not 66 MMO
670053 is OWW99
Gorgeous jigsaw puzzle. Great job prepping it for sale.
Excellent video. You sound like a kid in a sweet shop.
Great video, thanks Richard. Are you planning to get back to the XK150?
Yes the XK150 is well underway, just in the thongs of bodywork
Wow, where did you find that!!!
I am sure you know this but the soft top hold downs on the body are exactly the same as used on MGB roadsters, but I bet the price is different :)
Nice ... what’s going on with the XK150 restoration?
The XK150 is coming soon!
Richard Michael Owen
Thanks Richard. Not alone in looking forward to that. The original builders of these beautiful machines would surely be impressed with your talents & your respect for their engineering & craftsmanship.
What a fantastic find!
I used to live just down the road from the Jaguar factory and have a soft spot for these early Jags!
My favourites being the SS, XK120/140 and the two-seater soft top E Type.
Absolutely fascinating video - the time just flew by. The story is that William Lyons only intended the first XK120 in 1948 as a demonstration of the way of the future for Jaguar but demand for the car was so immense that they put it into interim production using essentially pre-war coachbuilding techniques while they figured out how to build the car in volume. I just love the painstaking work and enthusiasm that you put in, really wonderful. You probably know this already but Duncan Wherret's book "Jaguar XK" published in England by Osprey has a description and photos of car #26, the photos showing lots of details of this alloy car.
Two people don't like XK120's? What a sweet, sweet ride, would love an old xk140, British racing green with small metal, a leather beige interior, and lots of rubber on the ground. It'll never happen, but wtf, better to dream this dream, than live in the USA.
eh?
Truly a beauty for all time.
Someone must have tried to use the starting handle on one of the first 57 cars and described the experience to Jaguar. You'd have to be Arnold Schwartzenegger to start an XK manually.
Having an aluminum hood fabricated for the car would be justifiable. It's a fairly simple panel. The cost would be trivial compared to the cost of the restoration that vehicle justifies.
Any moderately cluefull enthusiast could identify the major components of that car, but it takes a real expert to identify all those odd little components and locate them in the appropriate places.
Loved the video! The project however, I'm a bit split. On one side it's awesome and necessary that someone put together the vehicle, figure out what's missing, what's broken and what's perfectly fine. On the other hand, however, I hate the fact that something has to be put together (apparently using 3 weeks of man hours) only to be sold to someone who pulls everything apart again to restore it. I recognize that this is necessary to make the most amount of money on the auction. But I can't help but feeling this is counterproductive. Anyway, as I said, the video is fully entertaining and I can only hope someone local buys the car and puts you to work on it :D
My dad had a 1954 Jag XK 120 modified competition with all the aluminum. Got burned to the ground.
The wife's Jetta was a BMW 😳
An XKE parts car? That is truly walking above the snobs of the auto world.
I was born in Coventry.
What did it sell for?
Magic. Pure magic
Very enjoyable! very clear steps from bard to build, good commentary and editing, hope you do some more!
A left drive early XK 120 Alloy should bring a very nice price. A rare thing indeed.
last one of those I heard of was from the Australian out back where it was abandon in the 60's Con grats.
A great video Richard, when are we going to see more videos on the white XK you are working on .?? Alan.
Aluminum...For God's sake it's aluminium. What is so hard about that?
PO must have really loved that car to let it sit in a barn for 30 years and then sell it.
Wow! Just wow! I don't know which was more impressive you or the car.
Very interesting and narrated with enthusiastic knowledge, great job!
Richard, i pulled out my copy of Jag Sports Cars by Paul Skilleter over the weekend. It says that early limited competition of the XK120s in March and April 1950 used 6 cars with some factory support (unofficial factory cars?). Their chassis numbers were 660041 (probably the most active works xk120; driven in LeMans, Mille Miglia and the TT) , #42 (JWK 977 became Stirling Moss and Peter Walker's car), #43, #44 and 660057 (which won the TT race in hands of Moss). As the one in your video was chassis 660053, it seems that it was a close thing it didn't get similar works driver & support. Most of the cars in this batch had registration plates starting JWK, however, chassis 660044....is none other than NUB 120! One of the most famous XK120s driven to victory in the RAC Rally in the Alpes by the Appleyards. Wonderful to know #53 is a survivor and a sister car to some of these legendary Jags.
Alistair, thanks for the early LHD race histories. These cars really v set the pace for the C-Type in 1951. Thanks for watching.
Monterey, CA