Being stored away in a barn the car was in a poor condition and partly in pieces. In order to prevent further damage it was carefully disassembled and conserved. Engine and frame where OK, whilst there was some rust on the body which consequently required extensive rebuilding work.

Restoring every part

Where ever possible every part of the care was completely cleaned, checked, if necessary refurbished or even rebuild. Great care was taken to its originality and long lasting protection. Engine, Gearbox, Differential was rebuilt using new bearings, pistons, sealing’s, etc. The clutches as well as all brake pads were exchanged, the radiator was rebuild fitted and the electrical system was completely rebuilt. A detailed report on the restoration can be found at www.oldtimergaragegr.ch.

Door lock in its original state

Rebuild and restored

Light switch cleaned and with primer

painted

Rebuild Lucas wind shield wiper motor

Rebuilding the engine

Original condition

Carefull removal of the engine

Disassembly

Crankshaft checked, polished and fitted with new main and rod bearings.

All pistons and rings were replaced.

Pistons with rods balanced and optimimized.

Cylinders bored and honed

Rebuild of the engine starting

New spark plug wires.

New radiator hoses, etc.

Mounted onto the chassis

XK120 SE Models are equipped with two 2” carburators

Rebuild water cooler

Gearbox: The red paint helps preventing ioil leakage

Gears, bearings are checked and synchronizer rings lapped.

Dashboard and Eletrical wiring

Rebuilding the dashboard

covered with fine leather

Wiring behind the dashboard

Ready for reassembly

Large pedals: An option at the time

Alle new wiring with cotton harness

Rear weel house right side

Rear panel with two boxes for 6V batteries. Mounted in serie they provide 12V power for the car.

Brakes

Rudge weel hub with central nut

New rear brakes

Front brakes

Wheel brake cylinder. Interestingly handbrake mechanism!

rebuild

Body and Chassis

Beaten like an old battle ship

The body was immersed in a rust remover bath and primed  “Dultan”

The reconstruction of the body was extreemley time consuming.

No platic filler was use! The body was rebuild using pewter only

Damaged body parts were cut out and reconstructed.

The entire body is sanded down to bare metal .

The aluminum parts such as the doors, bonnet and boot lid are leached.

Two component primer sprayed from top

and bottom.

The warped and broken slats of the trunk lid were replaced and re-fitted.

The refitted trunk lid.

The entrie chassis was sanded and primed with a two component primer

Preparting for painting …

The first layer

additional  6 layers follow,

until a perfect dark black, brillinat surface emerges.

The black beauty back home

Head light are mounted and fitted.

Interior

The interior is remade  exactly to the original as sixty years ago.

Only the finest and best leather is being used

Hardwood floors, insulating mats

Carpets fitted

The wooden seat rests are rebuild as the originals.

Seat frames painted in their original colors

The seat backs are upholstered,

strained

knotted

check for comfort

and fixed

The cords provide a tight-fitting

New hard wood floor in the trunk

Fine fleece is fitted.

Carpet for the luggage compartement

Spare weel under the luggage compartement

Typical XK120 SE: Stainless steel exhaust with two tubes

Sample of the documentation prior to the restauration

Below a sample of the detailled documentation of all parts during disassembly by the preceding owner.

The locking mechanism

The holding plate with hinge and opener spring.