XK120 Brake Drum Paint Color - Judging Question

We have a one owner 140 coupe that has red drums and the lady who owns it said it was one of the things that attracted her when it was in the dealers showroom. Also Bruce Carnahan in Southern CA has a 120 OTS that he insists were original on the car, he has had it over 40 years.

George could you shed some documentation on the Red drums? The reason you have not lost points is the drums are not judged--that is the only reason. Way to many possibilities there.

Hi Bob,
I'd like to add a little wrinkle to the red vs. black brake drum question. Yes, they did come with black brake drums. BUT, when the XK120C, better known as the C-type , was introduced it had red brake drums. Since it was possible to special order C-type features on an XK120 SE, it's possible that one could have arrived with red brake drums. Based on that argument, I've never lost any points for my red brake drums. So, if you really like the red, go for it! But if you really want to be safe, and loosing points is a national disaster to you, it's probably better to go with the black.

George Parker

Thanks again Howard for your sound advice. I will try to find JCNA Councours results on the JCNA website and locate some 1952 XK120 owners for their advice. If I am not mistaken it was George Camp who originally gave me the bonnet, engine compartment and boot (Black) paint color advice for my car. When I get a little closer to painting I also want to contact Dick Cavicke for his advice.

Any chance you can email me some pictures of your XK120 car? My email is Bob5837roadrunner.com.

Anyone else with overall paint advice for a 1952 XK120? It would be helpful to hear from those of you who have been judged at JCNA Concours shows. All advice is very much appreciated.

Bob,

Definitely a dark red primer as Bill says, but on "140 coupes"? I have never seen that, and yours is not a 140, and bright red! But all that aside, no one is going to judge your differential color. Read George Camp's comment again, "clear departure from stock".

As to undersides in black, read the end of Ron Lauries' comment here. He has a 52.

Also, you should contact other 52 120 owners, preferably ones you can find in JCNA Concours results. They have been judged. You want to get info from those people! That's what I did when I built my 100 point 120.

You can do your painting, assembly, details, etc. based on many casual "opinions", but the way to score high is base all build decisions on winning cars that have been scrutinized by numerous judges.

HB

Thanks Bill. Happy Easter.

Edited on 2012-04-07 23:49:19

Hello Bob, yes the only way to paint it is off, and on some type of "rotissere". As for the diff, YES it was redish, named "RED LEAD" it was not a pure red it was a darkish shade and not a gloss finish. This was a generic preservative type of primer paint that was used on most metal castings and even some brake drums, in fact I know of two 140 coupes which have them-one is Bruce Carnahans. That was the colour the manufacturer used and Jaguar and others did not change it. It was even used as a body primer on many vehicles! Regards

Howard,

My XK120, chassis 672233 was manufactured in May 1952 and is unique in that it has some "early" features and some "late" features. It is an "in between" car.

It has tandem (dual) master brake cylinder, self adjusting front brakes, rear brakes are manually adjusted. Rear brake drums are flat, front drums are slightly concave. The engine (W5003-8) has an early waterpump with 5 blade aluminum fan, side hole distributor cap with plug wires running underneath the carburettors and coming up from behind the engine.

At some time in its early life my car was updated to "S" type specification per factory bulletin 95, which included engine modifications, dual exhaust, wire wheels, etc.

My differential showed original red paint when it was cleaned up. I also think that early XK120's had red differentials. Can anyone else comment about red defferential paint color on early cars?

Also, I believe that my 1952 XK120 is supposed to have engine compartment, boot, underneath the bonnet painted a dull Black. Based on your advise I will paint the underside of my car the same as my body color (Cream White). I will also paint my wire wheels Cream White.

Here is a picture of my 1951 XK120 I restored in 1985 and received 98 points at my first and only show.

Bob

For some historical perspective, brake drums on pre-XK saloons and DHCs ('36-'48 SS-Jag and Mark IV) were always body color. Same for wire wheels though for an extra five pounds you could specify a contrasting color. The undersides were always body color.

Bob,
No to the red on the differential. Black.

And, I think your comment re: engine compartment, bonnet,body underside, boot in black is not correct. However my car was a 54, but I don't think 52's would have been different.

You must paint the body off the car!! It was done that way at the factory.

All these "undersides" should be body color. Research 52's, but I think I am correct. I will have to send some pictures of my car as it was going together.

I had one thing judged incorrect when I first showed my car and that was painting the rubber seals at the rear door shut face in body color. Should be unpainted. Changed that quickly. Ended up with a 100 point car.

Hi Bill,

Nice to hear from you.

Do most restorers paint the body before putting it back on the chassis?

I appreciate your advice,

Bob

Bob, why aren't you going to paint the body off the chassis?

Picture of my "garage" project.

The chassis which is now in my 2 car garage

Here's what I started with

Here's another picture

Thanks Guys,

Black it is! Here are a couple pictures of my restoration in progress. My goal is to finish installing the suspension, steering, brakes, new brake and fuel lines, etc. and have a rolling chassis by May 1st. I am waiting for a few parts to complete the job. During the month of May I hope to add my engine, transmission, clutch assembly, drive shaft and new stainless dual exhaust to the chassis. During the month of June I will paint the engine compartment, boot and underside of body and bonnet a dull Black (double checking: is this correct paint combo for chassis 672233 with May 1952 build date?). In July I will put the body back on the chassis and get the body ready for painting back to its original Cream color.

I am making a video log of different milestones during restoration, which I will eventually edit into a DVD for anyone interested to see.

For the record I am a rookie when it comes to restoration. I did restore a 1951 XK120 OTS back in 1985 by myself and received 98 points in my first show at Long Beach in 1986 (Bruce Carnachan judge). This is the first "body off" restoration I have done and it's been challenging because everything came in pieces with 2 buckets of nuts and bolts when I bought the car. It was stripped down completely.

I am doing my best to make sure it is restored back to it's original condition, aside from the non-original powder coating. Thanks again for setting me straight on the brake drum color question.

I will post pictures of my progress from time to time.

Bob

Robert, As George says, Black! My 120 was JCNA national champion 2000-2001. Black! HB

Black--that said the drums are not judged---that also said a judge might be inclined to look a bit harder at a "restored" car that has made such a clear departure from stock.