Viart p. 471 shows the XK120 Jack attached with a leather strap and foam rubber pad. But I don’t see those in any photos in Schmid’s books. Plus the rubber pad would interfere with the rachet lever. So my question is, to be original, do I need a jack strap and pad or not? I am a Sept 1953 FHC.
Wyn,
The p.471 drawing in Viart’s XK120 book is sadly, one of the many many similar mistakes in this book where Viart simply reused (without verifying XK120 applicability) my research work and detail specifically to suit XK140s, as was published in the earlier XK140 EXPLORED book that I co-authored. So this Jack p.471 detail applies to XK140, not to XK120.
You do apparently have Urs Schmid’s Volume 2 - now this is a genuinely accurate and THE definitive reference on XK120s. The photo 4 on page 90, does show the correct arrangement for stowing the XK120 Tool Roll, with a leather strap pop-riveted to the steel inner panel forward of the petrol filler cover.
If you look at your own car then if their is no signs of the strap remaining, at least there should be the pop-rivet hole, if not a damaged pop-rivet remaining, but at least gives you the original position. You can buy reproduction leather straps from the main specialist suppliers. There is however unresolved debate over how the tool-roll is secured, whether vertically as shown in Rob’s photo, where the tool-roll (in its rolled condition) is excessively tall and needs to be squashed in to fit, or whether horizontally. I suggest you trial fit, and see what works best.
Also see page 93, photos 3 and 4 of Urs Volume 2 re original Jack and Ratchet, both being mounted as they were originally, with the two clips for the ratchet, and the outer Terry clip for the Jack body correctly shown. Note these are plated and not overpainted black originally (as per Rob’s photo), nor indeed any added insulation/sleeve added to both legs of the Terry Clip. If you put a magnifying glass on photo 3, you will see the drive nut end of the Jack is located within a rubber cup/socket, with the rubber socket secured in place by a metal clip. Both the rubber socket (BD3257) and the Clip (BD3535) are the same as is later used for XK140, thus the Viart p.471 illustration of these two parts are correctly representative of XK120, but clearly in a totally different mounting location on the XK140. Again, you should see all four of your existing clips in place, or at least holes or remains of broken clips/rivets - and indeed accurate replacement clips are readily available.
Also be careful of the actual Jack, Ratchet and Tool Roll. Rob’s photo shows a much earlier Jack style than the correct Jack for your Sept 1953 XK120, but is still correctly mounted and interchangeable…
Thank you Rob and Roger. That is very helpful. Re the tool roll strap, here is my original. As far as I can tell it is in the original position and has only been spray painted over.
great pic of FHC area the tool roll is laid horizontal doesn’t stand vertical
In my boot there was only one screw hole in the tool roll area so that’s where I put the strap. There was a Service Bulletin about a screw being too long and protruding where it might cut a tire, and we discussed it on this forum and concluded it must have been this tool roll strap screw.
The ratchet clips in my '51 car were not plated, just painted; same on my Mark V which uses the same clips, just black. I think plating must have come along later.
I put shrink wrap sleeves on the jack spring clip to protect the paint on the jack.
Wyn.
Would you be able to measure the length and width of the strap for me.
Also the number and spacing of holes.
I would like to make one for my car.
Most appreciated.
Graham
I think that in the early XK120’s that the clips were fitted to the bare bodyshell and then painted over in black and this applied to the MKV’s as well I have pulled them off cars paintted black but the have been plated underneath paint. Made by Terry’s some have the name stamped into them
Hi Terry I did find some years ago NOS they are now on my car… the ones I found are nickel plated, and carry the Terry’s stamp on them. Is this similar to your experience ?
Graham be careful the strap is a very specific colour and finish. I don’t have mine handy but my suspicion is that the straps were probably bought by the hundreds for a luggage supplier I have found other straps of identical appearance … just designed to be used around old school suitcases.
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Graham, Here are the photos, better late than never. 1/2 wide, 18" long. 8 holes on 3/4" center. Riveted at the center of the strap. Wyn
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Wyn.
These are excellent. Not only would very few still exist it would be unlikely anyone else would have one to photograph showing this detail.
Thanks very much. Most appreciated.
Regards, Graham
Hello!
From what I have been able to track down, the Trunk Straps were 5/8" wide. Early XK120’s had Black leather straps and the later XK120’s had Brown leather straps. Timeframe was yet to be determined as there did not seem to be a exact cut-off date. Apparently there were also Trunk Straps with Japan Black finish rivets and Bright finish rivets holding the Center Bridge Buckles.
![Jaguar XK120 Trunk Straps BD3437 Black Early Plain #4|690x272]
(upload://pbelRqZ1hxGfMPTfMM19LUF5WTD.jpeg)
