Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Nobel

Search

1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe

Culture

1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe offered after 3,000-hour restoration

A 1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe, restored over three years by Muncie Imports and Classics, is now offered for sale on dealer consignment by Graham Rahal Performance.

By George Kensington · 3 min read

A 1953 Jaguar XK120 Drophead Coupe, the subject of a claimed 3,000-hour restoration completed in 2025, has been listed for sale on dealer consignment by Graham Rahal Performance. The car, finished in its original black over red leather configuration, is being offered through the auction platform with a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate and a collection of accompanying documentation.

The vehicle is believed to have remained with a single family before its acquisition by Muncie Imports and Classics of Muncie, Indiana, in 2022. The marque specialists then undertook a multi-year project that involved stripping, disassembling, repainting, and refurbishing the car in its factory colour scheme. More than 300 photographs documenting the various stages of the process are included in the listing gallery.

Chassis 677770 left the factory finished in black with a black soft top over red leather upholstery. The exterior features a split front windshield, tri-bar headlamps, fender-mounted mirrors, and rear wheel spats, along with chrome front bumpers and rear bumperettes. The black-finished 16-inch steel wheels wear Jaguar-branded hubcaps and are shod with Avon tyres.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.4-litre DOHC inline-six engine fitted with dual SU carburettors, rated at 160 horsepower when new. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox that was rebuilt as part of the restoration. The car was factory equipped with independent front suspension with telescopic-type hydraulic shock absorbers, semi-elliptical rear leaf springs, and Girling hydraulic rear shock absorbers, with stopping power provided by four-wheel drums.

The cabin features split bucket seats trimmed in red leather, complemented by colour-coordinated door panels and carpets. Burl wood trim accents the dashboard, A-pillars, and upper doors. Amenities include a heater, a slide-out storage tray, a lockable glovebox, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, door-mounted map pockets, and quarter-vent windows. A four-spoke steering wheel fronts centrally mounted Smiths instrumentation, including a 140-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep 6,000-rpm tachometer with an inset analogue clock, and auxiliary gauges.

The five-digit odometer was reset upon completion of the build and now shows 9 miles. A collection of accessories, including owner's and service manuals as well as a tool roll, will accompany the car. The Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate notes a July 22, 1953, date of manufacture and lists factory colours along with initial delivery through Hornburg in Los Angeles, California. Engine number W93588 appears on the chassis tag as well as the certificate. The Indiana title lists the model year as 1954 and carries an 'Exempt' odometer brand.

George Kensington

Author

Business Analyst

George Kensington covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Nobel. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

Read on