1955 Aristocat XK120 Replica

The car is built on a donor chassis from a 1955 Jaguar Mk VII, as recognised by the DVLA and recorded in the accompanying V5C.

The Mk VII was delivered new to its first owner in Blackpool before heading north to spend the next few years in Renfrewshire, Scotland. 

We know this because we have the donor car’s original buff log-book.

The car’s broader history is sparse but interesting.

In 2001 it was purchased by an Army Major who took it with him to Germany when he was stationed there.

It returned to these shores in 2002.

It was sold in 2005, when it was bought jointly by some friends to use over the summer. 

Their plans didn’t quite pan out, so the car found itself in storage for a while. 

The car came into the vendor’s ownership in 2012.

The car has been in storage for some time and has not been driven any distance for a while. 

It has ‘light project’ status, in our opinion, and will require recommissioning.

The car presents pretty well from a few metres away and, with a composite body, it is accordingly free of any obvious rust.

Dinks and dents are in short supply, too, although there are other issues to contend with.

Principal among these, perhaps, is a large patch of discolouration on the n/s/r wing which looks as if it might be some way through a partial repair. 

The shut-lines and panel gaps are mostly decent, although the passenger door is a little less than optimally flush with the surrounding bodywork and some of the gaps around the boot lid and bonnet are somewhat shy of laser-like precision. 

The paintwork is something of a curate’s egg: it’s good in parts, less so in others, and decidedly poor elsewhere.

The wheels have a fair few scuffs, scratches and spots of surface rust in evidence. 

There is some foxing and pitting here and there on the brightwork, and the front number plate has broken free from its moorings.

The lights, lenses, badges and other exterior fixtures and fittings are broadly decent, although some parts – the boot lid handle springs to mind – have a tendency to come away in your hand.

The black fabric hood looks to be in decent order, from what we can see, and the boot contains the accompanying side panels, plus a spare wheel.

The interior of the car has plenty of character and does a good job of capturing the feel and ambience of an XK120-era car. 

The red leather seats are in very reasonable condition and are both comfortable and supportive.

The wooden dashboard adds plenty of period feel and helps give the interior a warmly inviting ambience, as do the leather-trimmed steering wheel and the oatmeal tweed carpets, which are edged in brown leather.

Having not driven the car, we can’t vouch for the functionality or efficacy of the knobs, buttons, switches, levers, dials or gauges. 

The engine bay is a little dusty and has the look of a space that hasn’t seen much action for a while.

That said, everything seems to be in its right and proper place, as far as we can tell.

The car’s undersides look reassuringly solid and free of anything liable to make you tut or frown, save for the presence of a couple of ad hoc drip trays.  The seller explains: "The trays were put on because it was stored on a garage lift, with a Bentley parked underneath, so they were 'insurance', just in case. I forgot to take them off before sending to THE MARKET".

This car comes with about as much history as David Bowie in ‘The Man Who Fell To Earth’.

In other words, hardly any.

We know from an MoT certificate dated April 2012 that the car’s then mileage was recorded as being 50,728.

Today, the mileage showing on the odometer is also 50,728, so it’s fair to say that we don’t know what the actual mileage might be.

The car comes with some import/export documents pertaining to its journeys to and from Germany, plus its original buff log book, a hand-written description of the colour-coding protocols for the car’s wiring, a recent HPI report, and a V5C.

The car today is in need of some TLC and is a little cosmetically tired in places.

But we think it’s fundamentally sound and, if it proves mechanically and dynamically amenable to recommissioning, it could be a great project to finish in time for the summer.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £10,000 - £15,000. Don’t forget; there are NO BUYERS FEES now.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET, HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.