XK120 Interior... and Interiors in General

[cwdubya]

https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto/d/bigfork-1951-jaguar-xk-120/7249233675.html

So I'm not a buyer for this one (unless I really stretched the budget), I'm more of a "hey check out that $3800 fixer TR3 30 miles away that I was a few hours late on snagging and lost out on, that would be a fun project that I'd definitely have more money into than just buying one that's already finished" type of guy. It is a curse, or am I just an idiot? Probably a bit of both. But I want something to wrench on, and drive.

But with that said, I'm looking at Hagerty's values for a '51 XK120, and thinking that man, a finished interior could really bring that price up. Why would a person not finish it out, since it doesn't seem like you'd need a Concours interior to at least get into a higher sale bracket? I get that we're not seeing a whole picture, and that we're... missing pictures, I suppose, but I'm just curious. It's a mix of inexperience, and interest. It's not the first car I've seen where the interior isn't finished out, that people are moving on from. What's up with it? Happy to read your thoughts on that, as I keep looking for my first project.

 

[LarryK]

Mostly a reason of not finishing the interior is budget already blown. $3800+ for a kit but to install could be another $5K. So there is $8K more. Shop I worked at did a lot of body then customer brought back to do interior. Had one sell the car after the paint was done, no interior.

 

[ahfan]

Couple of things...you say interior for a '51 XK120 is $3800? The install is $5K???? Please, PLEASE tell me who is doing this work for those prices. I have 3 XK's. a '53 DHC, a '52 OTS and a '52 DHC. I'm just now getting to the upholstery on the OTS. The interior for each one was well over 6K and the installation for the DHC's was $12, 456.78 a PIECE!!!! There is NO WAY anyone with a decent reputation would install these interiors for 5K. No way.

 

[LarryK]

Just saw 2 yrs later kit is $8000. Only a Jag specialist would know how to install properly. Sure they are high priced per hr, because they can. I do all my own, and will not do others. If they paint the seat frames, have to add more foam, repair and backer panel replacement, insulation on floor and ceiling. Adds up. I do my own and bought an industrial sewing machine to fix kit booboos. Most quaility kits fit right once the base is correct. And which leather do you want, all depends on what you do with the vehicle. The price is for black only, more for other colors.

 

[LarryK]

Just two bench seats for a 64 Valiant in vinyl $1100.

 

[ahfan]

Just saw 2 yrs later kit is $8000. Only a Jag specialist would know how to install properly. Sure they are high priced per hr, because they can. I do all my own, and will not do others. If they paint the seat frames, have to add more foam, repair and backer panel replacement, insulation on floor and ceiling. Adds up. I do my own and bought an industrial sewing machine to fix kit booboos. Most quaility kits fit right once the base is correct. And which leather do you want, all depends on what you do with the vehicle. The price is for black only, more for other colors.

Yeah inflation is a beautiful thing!! I am going to do the DHC myself. I know it's not easy but after watching much of the other 2 installs, I think I can come reasonable close. The hard part will be installing the top and headliner. I have all kinds of step-by-step instructions for that but it looks like a bag of laughs.

 

[LarryK]

Look on youtube too! My first top was a Robbins on a Spitfire some 35 yrs ago. Patience is a virtue, contortionism helps.

 

[ahfan]

Look on youtube too! My first top was a Robbins on a Spitfire some 35 yrs ago. Patience is a virtue, contortionism helps.

I bought a Robbins top and Tonneau for my '67 BJ8 and '59 100-6 Austin Healey's and installed them myself. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Just took time and a lot of patience. The estimate from 3 places Robbins would allow to install them to honor their warranty each wanted over $750 for each top (not the Tonneau). I've checked everywhere and searched for days and countless hours for instructions or help installing the interior on the XK but nothing. The kit from BAS in Palm Springs is great quality leather but their customer service crap. Individual pieces are bagged, sealed and labeled with the exception of a few small pieces. But with no directions as to where to start it's a puzzle. Installing the kit by them in over 18K. No thanks.

 

[LarryK]

Look on youtube, there is one by a shop in England.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Hope to be doing the 140 OTS interior this spring. Ordered kit from Skinner, be here in Jan. Will be doing most of the work myself. Figure around $8k in it including conv top.

 

[ahfan]

Look on youtube, there is one by a shop in England.

I searched but can't find one...would you have any additional info? Thanks.

 

[ahfan]

https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto/d/bigfork-1951-jaguar-xk-120/7249233675.html
So I'm not a buyer for this one (unless I really stretched the budget), I'm more of a "hey check out that $3800 fixer TR3 30 miles away that I was a few hours late on snagging and lost out on, that would be a fun project that I'd definitely have more money into than just buying one that's already finished" type of guy. It is a curse, or am I just an idiot? Probably a bit of both. But I want something to wrench on, and drive.

But with that said, I'm looking at Hagerty's values for a '51 XK120, and thinking that man, a finished interior could really bring that price up. Why would a person not finish it out, since it doesn't seem like you'd need a Concours interior to at least get into a higher sale bracket? I get that we're not seeing a whole picture, and that we're... missing pictures, I suppose, but I'm just curious. It's a mix of inexperience, and interest. It's not the first car I've seen where the interior isn't finished out, that people are moving on from. What's up with it? Happy to read your thoughts on that, as I keep looking for my first project.

Just a thought...I have 6 vintage British cars and all are insure by Hagerty. Before I bought my second XK120 OTS they valued it at around 90K in good condition. I kept it for 3 years and advertised it as I wanted to buy a DB5. A guy came from England and bought it for 125K. The point is that if someone is looking for a particular car or any item, they will pay what they are willing to pay to get it. I don't pay much attention to a company's valuation. I bought a '67 Austin Healey BJ8 well over what it was valued by Hagerty but I couldn't care less because it's what I wanted. There is a buyer out there for everything.

 

[ahfan]

Hope to be doing the 140 OTS interior this spring. Ordered kit from Skinner, be here in Jan. Will be doing most of the work myself. Figure around $8k in it including conv top.

Great! I wish I had gone with Skinner instead of BAS. Not that the interior is not good, it is very nice. Problem was, some how the boot carpet they put in the box was for a OTS not a DHC which I have. It took WEEKS trying to get someone to simply exchange it for the right one but they never returned my calls and after 3 emails I got a return email asking me for a picture of the carpet in the boot of my car and a measurement of the carpet?!?! THEY MADE IT! Another 2 weeks still no response on what they were going to do to get me the right carpet. Finally had to threaten to sue them in small claims for the piece and got a response that they mistakenly put a roadster boot carpet in the box and would ship the right one last week. Never shipped it. I live 60 miles from their company. Really CRAP customer service. By the way, how do you know how to install the interior yourself? I want to also but everyone says it's not a DIY job. Good luck.

 

[LarryK]

You learn by owning and doing. I worked at a Jag shop for a few years and was familiar with trim shops that did show cars. Bought the book on 120 restoration and after doing the Spit went from there. I own three industrial type sewing machines, have the Jag factory manuals and over my 58 years playing with these cars, learned a lot, repaired my mistakes and enjoyed my cars. I have 2 MK1 sedans in progress, and a 72 Triumph GT6 on standby, and a 64 Valiant idle for floorbaord replacement. Busy, busy.

 

[ahfan]

You learn by owning and doing. I worked at a Jag shop for a few years and was familiar with trim shops that did show cars. Bought the book on 120 restoration and after doing the Spit went from there. I own three industrial type sewing machines, have the Jag factory manuals and over my 58 years playing with these cars, learned a lot, repaired my mistakes and enjoyed my cars. I have 2 MK1 sedans in progress, and a 72 Triumph GT6 on standby, and a 64 Valiant idle for floorbaord replacement. Busy, busy.

Man, you have skills. Wish I had your experience but I'm going to give it a try.

 

[LarryK]

Take your time, think it out and you will enjoy it more. Try to find the 120 restoration guide, at Moss, very informative. I learned in a 50+ yr process. Over my head in projects. Helped restore B-I-Ls Cessna.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Yep, pretty much self taught over the years. First LBC was TR3 in 1974.

 

[LarryK]

I painted a friends TR3 that year.