Opportunity: ’53 Jaguar XK120
We really love finding cars in this kind of condition. Yes, it needs a full restoration, but does it really? What if you concentrate on getting it running again, where you will likely find the reason for it being parked for so long. How cool would it be if was parked for a silly reason and it was an easy fix? Let’s stay with that for now. So you get it running and stopping with some degree of reliability. There is virtually no interior to provide adequate, safe seating. We think you find a set of vintage racing seats at the next Hershey Swap Meet, throw in some Simpson belts, make sure the gauges work and drive it. This scenario is probably an impossibility but you have to admit it would be neat. Sort of a British Rat Rod. Then reality sets in when you take a close look underneath. The seller states that the car’s chassis was protected many years ago but we see some serious issues that will need to be addressed to prevent it from breaking in half. Here again, only a close inspection will reveal how much metal work is required to achieve Rat Rod status. The car has Idaho plates and a history from Washington State. Both place are somewhat friendly to cars. It is in Massachusetts now, stored for a long time and with bias-ply tires that still hold air. At $38,500, you will be under water very quickly if you embark on a full restoration. But alas, Sports Car Market Price Guide has them at a B-rated collectible and 4 stars. That means it is moving faster than the market for all collectibles. Hagerty has #4 cars priced at $70,000 and #1 cars at $129,000. We think it takes more than $59,000 to get a #4 to #1 status. Click here for the eBay Listing.