1953 XK120 Vehicle Identification #

[Jim B]

i am trying to trace the registration history of a 1953 XK120. The state where it was initially registered requires a complete VIN to complete a search. The only record available to me is a blurred copy of an old title. I believe the VIN can be determined form this copy if the exact structure of a VIN for this car is known. I would appreciate knowing the leading digit sequence and the numer of digits in the following serial number for this model Jaguar. Thank you. Jim B.

 

[Charles #677556]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jim B:
i am trying to trace the registration history of a 1953 XK120. The state where it was initially registered requires a complete VIN to complete a search. The only record available to me is a blurred copy of an old title. I believe the VIN can be determined form this copy if the exact structure of a VIN for this car is known. I would appreciate knowing the leading digit sequence and the numer of digits in the following serial number for this model Jaguar. Thank you. Jim B.<hr></blockquote>

Jim B;
EXACTLY What Body Style XK 120 Do You Have?? An OTS? (Roadster), An FHC? (Fixed Head Coupe) or a DHC (Drop Head Coupe).
The body style of the 120 will determine the first three numbers of the VIN.
Additionally.. Are you in possession of the XK120?? It's a simple matter to look at the "Commission Plate (brass data tag) on the
passenger's firewall to determine the *Original* Chassis Number, Engine Number, Gearbox Number and the Body Number.
Prior to 1955, in most of the US States, the engine number was used for the VIN.. conversely, the Chassis number was also used.. it mostly depended on the title clerk filling out the original forms. If the Engine Number was used as the VIN on the title and, for whatever reason, the engine was changed, the title would also have to be changed/modified to reflect the "new" VIN number.
Contact me "Off-List" and I will try to help you "reconstruct" the VIN, based on the numbers you believe you have..

[ 10-26-2002: Message edited by: Charles #677556 ]</p>

 

[Steve]

Hi Jim, the XK120 body numbers were prefixed 'F' for the Open Top Sports, 'J' for the Fixed Head Coupe (but 'F' until #679991) and 'P' for the Drop-Head Coupe. The number sequence was 66**** for right-hand drive, 67**** for left hand drive cars. The letter 'S' prefixing the ID# denoted the SE model. For example, 670010 was an alloy-bodied pre-production car, the tenth produced.

 

[Charles #677556]

To add to what Steve wrote..
The first three digets of the 120's chassis numbers also identify which "body style" the 120 is..
660XXX are RHD OTS's, 670XXX are LHD OTS's.
669XXX are RHD FHC's, 679XXX are LHD FHC's.
667XXX are RHD DHC's, 677XXX are LHD DHC's.
Engine numbers for the 120's are generally prefixed with "W's", the late '53's and '54's are "F" series engines..
Engine numbers are written: W-XXXX-X.
The last "X" would be a 7, 8 or 9 depending on compression ratio.
It is possible that the engine number was used as the "VIN" number on the title.
The "SE" cars (Special Equipment which included higher lift cams, H-D Torsion Bars and a lighter Flywheel) were noted by the prefix "S" on the chassis number (S677XXX) and the "S" sufix on the engine number (W-XXXX-XS).
Generally, the 120's used the "JL" gearbox, but "JH" boxes were fitted to the early 120's. Also "JL", "JH", "SH" and "SL" were all made at the same time.

 

[Jim B]

These responses have provided exactly the information needed. Thank You!
Jim B.