The XK 120 tool kit list shows a Blanking Plate, 2 actually. Does anyone have an original blanking plate? Is it made of steel like the cam timing gague or is it aluminum?

The Blanking Plate is used to replace the wire screens on the front brake backing plate air scoops, supposedly when there is too much dust or rocks that might get in there. Not all XK 120s have these air scoops and blanking plates, does anyone know if the Air Scoops were only fitted to the SE models or was there some other determination. Pages 33-34 of the XK 120 parts manual is not real clear on this.

Steve
skennedyatecentral.com

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 22:13

Robert and Robert go to the library on here and find the contact. The research for the XK120 seminar is there with notes from mostly Karen Miller (she did the bulk of the work). She had then, as the Archive does now, full access to the build records. The record sets are identical to those used bt the JHT and the service is greatly less for JCNA members. Robert Sheridan I think you might be surprised how many 120s were modified then and now. remember they were used as club racers plus the bullitens were not a secret--dealers pushed them,

Submitted by bob5837@roadru… on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 21:11

George,

There seems to be several other 1952 Jaguar owners with SE mods that are not noted in the Chassis or Engine numbers. It seems odd to me. I can't imagine that so many owners or dealers would use Bulletin 95 to upgrade the cars to SE.

I didn't understand what you were saying in your reply above. "What is the NA Archive and how can I contact them so I and others can research our cars?". Thanks..

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 20:30

Tom/Robert The XK120 seminar is clear but it insists the cars were on the RECORD. In this case it means that the annotation is on the build sheets. I would try the NA archive where they are use to the NA market--of which this was done to satisfy. The notes may be confusing someone at the HT.

Submitted by rscibelli@gmail.com on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 19:41

Hello Thomas,
Your comment regarding 36 XK120's having been produced before the the official introduction of the SE may have solved an issue I'm having with the Jaguar Heritage folks. I also have a 1952 XK120 OTS (672629) with all the SE mods including the S suffix on the engine. JH claims it is not an SE and was modified post production. I bought the car the original owners and the family claims no modification was made. I would be interested to learn how many others out there are experiencing the same. I'v moved to LA since judging your car at the South Florida Jaguar Club Concours a few years back . . good to hear from you.
Regards,
Bob

Submitted by coventryclassi… on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 19:38

Hey Robert,
My car does fall in the SE Chassis & engine numbers. Eng # W5442-8. Just doesn't have the "S" prefix or suffix on my original lubrication plate. If you read the JCNA Jaguar XK 120 Third Addition 42nd Annual General Meeting booklet, page 25. "aproximately 40 LHD cars were made in 1952".

Submitted by coventryclassi… on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 19:20

Hey Robert,
I was told by an owner of another 1952 roadster with these mods, while I was vintage racing mine at Road Atlanta in October 1989, that the factory made 36 of these cars before the official introduction of the SE. He had his car advertised in Thoroughbred & Classics for $205,000 at the time. They came with thicker torsion bars, thicker anti sway bar, extra leaf in rear springs,light fly wheel, competition harmonic balancer, C-type head & cams, air scoop in backing plate of front brakes, wire wheels & duel exhaust. My car was raced at Daytona in the early 60s then stashed away here in Central Florida. Mine also had louvered bonnet, Borrani 16x5 wire wheels, bonnet strap and C-type head lights. You can see a picture of my car in the 2011 S02 concours awards. It had a different roll bar when I raced in 1987 & 88. 1989 SCCA made us go to the diagonal brace, head restraint bar & aft brace. I have an add from November 1989 Hemmings Motor News. A guy had a similar car with racing history that he asked & got $190,000 for back then. Keep in touch, if you gather any information, please share it with me.
Have you read about the XK 130? It has head lights like my car.
Cheers Tom

Submitted by bob5837@roadru… on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:37

Hi Thomas,

I also have a 1952 XK120 OTC, chassis #672233 with all of the SE modifications you mentioned above, and also with no S prefix on the chassis number. I have been told by several top sources that the only way my car has the SE mods is if a dealer or owner made the changes after the car left the factory. Do you know how your XK120 was changed over to the SE mods? I wonder how many other 1952 cats were changed over. Bob

Submitted by coventryclassi… on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 12:54

Hey Steve,
You are probly framiliar with my 1952 XK 120 roadster. It sold new in California and was raced from the start. After it raced in Daytona in the early 60s it hung around central Florida (mostly undriven) untill I started vintage racing it in 1987. It has the vented backing plates and screen covers on the front. There is a 120 coupe I have access to that has the vented front backing plates but no screens in the vents. The coupe is a steel wheel car. My chassis # is 672559. It has the larger torsion bars, extra leaf in rear springs & wire wheels, competion balancer, light fly wheel & C head. No S prefix on chassis number.
Cheers Tom