Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Derelict XK 120

How did it come to this?...
Appearance would suggest it spent the past 63 years
abandoned, vandalized and totally unprotected from the elements.
Stolen presumably...
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1957-jaguar-xk-astoria-ny-2935792

One always wonders about true production year 1957 XK140's as to whether they were caught up in the fire in February '57. Over the decades I've seen more rotten '57 XK140's ni pretty poor state of repair even in the 70's than the other XK models. The fire basically saw the end of the XK140 production run and the start of the XK150 production in the May, if memory serves me correctly. Surely the restoration costs would exceed it's final value.

John- Thank you for your reply and informative comment.
I was quite tired when I posted the thread in the early morning hours over here,
that might explain why I incorrectly titled it.

Also contributing could be that I'm biased, having always considered the 120 more lightsome
in appearance and of course more significant historically then its successor sisters in the iconic 100 series.
I would be flabbergasted to learn that it might be acquired with the intent
of restoring it, rescuing salvageable components more likely in my view...

I wouldn't be surprised if the most significant thing to be salvaged wasn't the 'matching numbers' 🙂


K

Way back in the early eighties, we had an MG gathering at a local event. A farmer a few miles away brought a running Merlin engine on a frame. Restoring Merlins was his thing, but obviously not to fly.

He asked us if we could drop over and dispose of an MG Midget in an outhouse, which we stripped and carted away in one day. But what was more interesting was an outhouse completely full of MGA parts, and a complete MGA fixed head coupe, totally covered in logs in a lean to. Bodywork was completely shot. Next to that was an XK120, equally shot. And in the next shed was a Climax engined Lotus Elite. Shot but fibreglass just gets tired. I still wonder where they all ended up.This was 1982/3.

Soon after a wrecked MGTC came up for £1500, but I didn't have the funds, so passed it on to a friend who at least tried to restore it. But the front of the chassis was bent and it had fibreglass wings and no instruments. But it was a bargain I suppose.

Another very sick and injured US XK120.
Many photos, several that simultaneously
instigate reactions of chagrin and jocularity
(faux fur on dashboard and door pockets)


https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1950-jaguar-xk-beverly-hills-ca-2936133

Wish I had kept mine

That's a real beauty Keith!
I can readily appreciate your sentiment. My exact feelings about several
of my former rides. Sadly, the same can be said about a couple of ladies
I had the privilege of knowing and ultimately losing.

I have similar sentiments Bert

Me too, though in my case it was relating to my first Lotus Elan. The Elan first car I truly lusted over. I viewed it as an old tart, that seemed like everyone had a go at it, and no one cared till I got my hands on it, and began attempting to restore it`s looks and performance, unfortunately in time it`s determination to maintain it`s errant ways exceeded my wallet`s capabilities to provide the excesses required..... Sigh..!

Tried to post a pic of it, but it seems I have been identified as a robot...no matter how many times I played the log in game... pity. Who wants to look at an old tart anyway... ? (-: