Jaguar XK120 SE Drophead Coupé

To understand the particularity of this Jaguar XK120 Special Equipment Drophead Coupé, one should first understand the particularity behind it's longest-term owner who kept it for 47 years. This gentleman was a Belgian aristocrat, born in 1930, and a true classic car aficionado who owned several Bugatti's, Talbot-Lago, Delahaye, Ferrari, Minerva, Frazer Nash, Salmson, ¦ throughout his life, but who had a clear predilection for Jaguar. Already as a student, his daily driver was an XK120 FHC, and throughout the years he owned many different classic Jaguars. Fascinated as he was by motor racing, he also modified his cars himself. He bought this XK120 SE DHC as a second hand car in 1963, with the intention to create "the ultimate XK": - the beautiful, pure line of the XK120; - Drophead Coupé, for the ideal combination of fun and comfort; - the power of the final evolution of the XK engine (before the XK): the very rare 3.8 litre "Triple SU" XK150 S engine; - the even rare matching gearbox with overdrive, also from an XK150S; - disc brakes, as featured on the 1958 XK150 "Special Equipment". Next to this, our Belgian aristocrat also made some own improvements: - he strengthened the chassis along its entire length, for added rigidity; - he put the front suspension on needle bearings, for a more direct contact with the road; - he improved the cooling of the engine with an alloy radiator and expansion tank, as well as a Kenlow fan. We restored this car in 2011, but remained entirely faithful to all in-period mechanical modifications made by its long-term owner. After all, he had succeeded in creating "the ultimate XK"!