Xk120M barn find...30 years too late | FerrariChat

Xk120M barn find...30 years too late

Discussion in 'British' started by ilconservatore, Jun 29, 2015.

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  1. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    #1 ilconservatore, Jun 29, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Its a bittersweet victory to have finally gotten my hands on this car.

    My uncle has owned it since 1963. He drove it to high school. My father drove it as well.

    Originally a roadster, built late in 1954, it was brought to the US by an airman stationed at Wright Patterson AFB. Sometime in the late 50's or early 60's, it was customized with a Porsche 356 roof and decklid. That's a strange combination but it probably looked good back in the day. Sort of a Talbot or Delahaye theme, but the builder didn't finish off the door openings very well.

    The car was parked in the late 60s and later abandoned altogether in a garage on my uncle's property when the engine locked up.

    Since I was about 7, I bugged him to let me purchase the car. That was 30 years ago! Like many others, he said he would fix it up someday.

    About 10 years ago, he nearly agreed to sell it, but changed his mind. Later the garage roof caved in. Just recently, local authorities declared the property a nuisance and he called me to tear down the garage and remove the car.

    Its a real special equipment car but someone stole the head, cams and carbs. Neighbors piled junk on the roof and inside the car (maybe to hide the theft).

    I have some of the parts to restore it, but there's a lot of metal work to be done.
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  2. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Rich
    Call Terry Lippincott at Lippincott's Garage. He could do the body work for you, and he's extremely reasonable price wise. Not to mention, his workmanship is outstanding.

    He showed me an XK150 (I think it was a 150, can't remember) - looked amazing, but when I saw the before photos, I was shocked - the lower half of the body was gone, eaten by rust. He completely redid the body work - in metal - and it was impeccable.

    If you are serious - and you are on a budget - I urge you to call Terry. There are some other F-Chatters that would support my recommendation, as long as he continues to work on Jags, he will be the only person to touch my E-Type.

    Lippincott's Garage - Vintage Jaguar Restoration Specialists - Home
     
  3. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Thanks but I have the skills to save it myself...Hence the name "ilconservatore" LOL

    Its more a matter of time and dedication. Its going to be cleaned up and put away for another few years until I get some things off my plate.

    Heck I still haven't touched the Espada I bought 3 years ago! And there's a TR3 suspended from the rafters of my barn that deserves some attention too. Priorities, priorities :)

    Should it go back to roadster configuration, or would anyone vote to retain the customization? It has no unique provenance that I can find, having been built in Ohio rather than a swanky european coachbuilder.
     
  4. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,043
    Moot Pointe
    I think I'd keep the Porsche greenhouse, but would like to see some period pictures of it in that configuration if you have some. I've been around a while, but I've never heard of a setup like that. It's a shame about the M bits.
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,143
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Surely "back to factory" is the only way to go, on this rare model???
     
  6. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
    33,571
    NJ
    Full Name:
    Rich
    Awesome - good luck with it!
     
  7. ilconservatore

    ilconservatore F1 Veteran

    May 18, 2009
    8,369
    Cincinnati Ohio
    I found one image so far in my dad's 8mm film collection. He was panning across Grandma's yard and the car was parked in the distance. Not much to go by yet.

    Maybe some creative photoshop work?

    There's also a chance I can locate the original builder. I know roughly when and where it was customized, and in that area there's only a few guys that could've done it.
     
  8. derekw

    derekw Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 7, 2010
    1,520
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Derek W
    I'm glad you finally got it and hope you manage to restore and enjoy it! If you want to save some time I know where they can make new aluminium XK120 bodies in Europe for €20k (less if some of yours is worth saving.) Buona fortuna!
     
  9. Saabguy

    Saabguy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 28, 2012
    1,753
    Shreveport, LA
    And you're certain that the missing bits weren't removed for a mechanical problem and are sitting buried under collapsed barn bits?
     
  10. NürScud

    NürScud F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2012
    7,273
    True.

    +1
     
  11. Dino V

    Dino V Formula 3

    Sep 21, 2005
    1,140
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Dino
    Sad to see it like that but glad you finally got your hands on it. Looking forward to seeing your project unfold.
     
  12. Joss

    Joss Rookie

    Oct 30, 2015
    1
    Derek, please provide more info or a link for the new xk 120 bodies? I have a need for one, my car's bodywork is in similar condition as the roof of this thread.
    Jos
     

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