Comments on: Review: 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

By: ZZ

ZZ — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:37:34 +0000

For what it’s worth, I’ve also got a large group of XK pictures collected on Flickr… which you can peruse even if you’re not a member of the Facebook community.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/jagxk/

By: Fan-de-Jag

Fan-de-Jag — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:23:17 +0000

Hi Chuck
I own two of these beauties an XK 120 FHC and an XK 150S OTS. Being of much shorter height than yourself they are well suited for my frame.

It might be of interest to the readers of this column or website to know that I have formed the largest Global network of XK 120/140/150 and E-Type Owners on Facebook. Presently there are close to 700 pictures of XK 120/140/150/E-Types uploaded by their owners that you can browse through. Would love to have you and other XK 120/140/150 and E-Type Owners join the Group. Click on the link below or paste in your browser. Thanks
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21594846248

By: argentla

argentla — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:36:14 +0000

In the shameless self-promotion department, more on the origins of this car (which Chuck recaps quite well) here: http://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/sports-cars-and-muscle-cars/160-grace-in-motion-jaguar-xk120.html

By: Chuck Goolsbee

Chuck Goolsbee — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:50:29 +0000

Paul Niedermeyer: Thanks again for the lunch! My starter is actually fine. We’ve figured out that it is my starter BUTTON on the dashboard that has the problem. Always something with an old car. I’ll fix it when I have a moment. From your place we went down the Oregon & NorCal Coast, and tonight are with a jag friend in Palo Alto, CA.

Detroit-Iron: You’re welcome!

Robert Schwartz: I chose the Chilean locale for both it’s anti-podean position and the alliterative ring to it. No place-names from Oz off the top of my head worked as well.

Stingray (and others):
That engine is a work of art. Simply beatiful.
You should have posted a shot of the engine when you did the 300SL Roadster review.

RF didn’t use my photos for the 300sl review.

I just now noted that the engine pictured above is a later 3-carbed, 3.8 liter one from an early (61-64) E-type. My dad’s 120 had a rather grotty engine bay, so I wanted a photo of a cleaner one to show. The photo above is one I shot of a XK 120 that belongs to a Seattle Jag Club member who drove his car on a recent club tour. I neglected to look closely prior to using it, sorry. In the grand scheme of things it is not that far off from the original XK, but this particular one is NOT correct.

–chuck

By: ZZ

ZZ — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:06:57 +0000

I knew something was off with the discussion there – this is likely a later engine from a 140 or 150 (don’t remember when they went to the orange valley between the cam cover) – and likewise with the carbs – the early models had two large SUs, and I’m not sure if it was the XK150s or only the XKEs that went to the triple setup. Either way, great to see this as a review – my father’s ‘53 FHC will run one day.

By: sitting@home

sitting@home — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:25:47 +0000

Sigh, as a kid I’d often pass the Browns Lane factory on the way to Gran’s house and feast on the array of XKs, E-types and XJs that were always sitting in the front lot. They lit the fire of desire in a boy too young to appreciate girls. There was nothing but weeds gathering in an empty lot last time I passed.

By: blowfish

blowfish — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:18:46 +0000

The earlier ones has triple SU ( Skinners Union ), and later on became 2. And u know why it does that.

The biggest I saw was when I was a kid in HK, i saw an Aston Martin DB 5 or 6 with 2 super big SU i think , but they were humongous , arthritis big or F cup size.

Thanks for these nice posting.
I bet 40 yrs from now if there cars & gas still around us Gear heads will still be reminiscing on cars this era.

Cars built in recent times just does not cut it.

By: OldandSlow

OldandSlow — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:30:16 +0000

An excellent review. – The bodywork and the drive train components may have been traditional, but the XK engine was cutting edge and as previous poster stated a work of art. –

Often disparaged, those three SU HS6 make a smooth transition through the RPM’s and wonderful throaty sound. – Weber DCOE’s are throaty, but SU’s are more gentlemanly.

By: fincar1

fincar1 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:22:28 +0000

Every time I see one of these, I am reminded of my bitter disappointment when I discovered at the age of 20 or so that while I could with difficulty fit my 6-foot 2-inch frame behind the steering wheel of an XK120 coupe, I would not be able to drive it because there was no way I could get my foot onto the clutch pedal; the steering wheel was in the way. Then my friend’s father who owned a Mark VII sedan told me that the designers had forgotten to draw in a fuel tank, so the car had a little tank in each rear wheel well, and the associated valves and switchgear. I loved the looks of these old Jags ever since I became aware of them as a teenager, but I have yet to actually drive any Jaguar.

By: Stingray

Stingray — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:47:59 +0000

That engine is a work of art. Simply beatiful.

You should have posted a shot of the engine when you did the 300SL Roadster review.

But I guess you’re going to review more cool old cars, so please, in the future, include them whenever possible.

By: Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:40:32 +0000

Chuck: Great Report. Great Fun.

“as close to comfort as Coventry is to Copiapó.”

Looking at the Great Circle route:

EGBE Coventry [West Midlands Airport], Warwickshire, England
SCHA Copiapo [Chamonate], Chile
6875 mi

Try this instead:

TXKF Bermuda Intl, Kindley Field
YPPH Perth [Intl], WA, AU
12389 mi

By: Detroit-Iron

Detroit-Iron — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:25:32 +0000

Thanks Chuck.

By: jpcavanaugh

jpcavanaugh — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:34:48 +0000

Just last night I was watching an old movie and admired the hero’s gorgeous XK 120 (or 140?). An old Mike Hammer detective flick called Kiss Me Deadly, if anyone cares. And today, lookee here!.

Before this article, I always knew that the old XK was drop dead beautiful. I did not appreciate the power that these old Jags had.

Delightful article!

By: Paul Niedermeyer

Paul Niedermeyer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:18:20 +0000

Chuck stopped by for lunch in his exquisite XK-E yesterday. He and his son are headed down the coast to LA (and back). I hope his starter starts working again. I had to push him down the hill from my house to get him going. And it’s not a Lucas unit either! Godspeed Chuck, wherever you are today.

By: Da Coyote

Da Coyote — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:16:18 +0000

It may be an ergonomic nightmare, but gads, is it beautiful. Someone lock all of our auto designers in a room and force them to look at this and learn.