Jaguar XK 120 SE OTS - June 1954
Brand
Jaguar
Type
XK 120 SE OTS
Motor
6cyl 3442cc, 132kw/180hp gasoline, manual transmission 4 speed
Mileage
43.889 mile
Year
June 1954
Colour
exterior Light Grey, interior black leather, grey piping
Price
€ 135.000,00
Accessories and comments
A truly exceptional, authentic, and original Jaguar XK 120 Special Equipment Open Two Seater, accompanied by a remarkable family history carefully written down by the son, born in 1950.
In 1952, John F. Hutchins attended the famous sports car races in Monterey, California, together with his family. Deeply impressed by the Jaguars and watching, among others, a young Phil Hill racing along the iconic 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach, his passion for sports cars was ignited. Two years later, at the age of 47 and after the passing of his sister, John finally decided to fulfill his dream: the purchase of a true sports car. His first visits were to Chevrolet and Kaiser, where the unusual Kaiser Darrin caught his eye. However, the fiberglass bodywork of both marques kept him from buying. His search soon brought him back to MG, Austin-Healey, and above all Jaguar. In San Francisco, British Motorcars had just opened a new showroom on Broadway in Oakland. There, John met salesman James Art, who took ample time to explain the qualities of Jaguar. When John mentioned that the car would actually be intended for his wife, Mr. Art became all the more enthusiastic – the idea of a woman in the region driving a Jaguar struck him as both unique and inspiring. A deal was struck. Mrs. Hutchins at first approached the car with some hesitation, but soon she felt perfectly at ease behind the wheel.
The car was primarily used by Mrs. Hutchins for commuting until the early 1970s. After John’s retirement in 1964, he often drove the car himself. Their son, the author of the letter upon which this story is based, even learned to drive in this very Jaguar. The car covered only limited mileage – a few summer trips to the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. In 1972, John Hutchins sadly passed away at the age of 65, and from that moment the Jaguar was no longer used. In 1978, the XK was moved from Oakland to Danville, where the son lived and worked. In 1980, he briefly considered making the Jaguar roadworthy again and began by dismantling and cleaning the fuel tank, but the project went no further. The car then remained untouched, resting on blocks in a garage for more than 35 years. In 2015, it was finally decided to part with the Jaguar, hoping that someone would bring it back to life. Through a connection, the car eventually made its way to Europe, where we were able to acquire it several years ago.
This XK120 SE Roadster is a unique, unrestored example. The paintwork is largely original (only the boot lid and a section of the front behind the bumpers have been repainted) and displays wonderful, charming patina. As confirmed by the Jaguar Heritage Certificate, the car is fully matching numbers and matching colors. Recently recommissioned mechanically: the chassis has been rebuilt, brakes completely overhauled, and both engine and gearbox removed and freshly resealed.
A rare example for the true enthusiast or purist who values originality, authenticity, and a fully traceable history.
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