2011-07-30 15:31:07 | Michael Scott writes:

This car was advertised for sale in "Thoroughbred & Classic Car" magazine October 1990. It was highly modified with aluminium body by R.S Panels, 3.8 full competition engine with Webers by Jim Tester. Lowered suspension, close ratio gearbox. Registration number LYS 818

2024-03-09 19:23:18 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:

collectingcars.com/for-sale/1953-jaguar-xk120-roadster-1

Seller's description:

31,150 miles (indicated)

manual

RHD

Blue

Blue

3.8L Inline-Six

This Jaguar XK120 Roadster is a motorsport-focused example of the elegant classic open-top sports car, offered from long-term custody, having been kept by its owner since July 1991.  

Power comes from a 3.8-litre straight-six, driving the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.   

This Jaguar has previously been raced, with photos online showing it at the Silverstone Classic in 2015.

The odometer shows 31,150 miles, though this is not warranted.  

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES  

This XK120 is finished in blue with a black tonneau cover, ‘27’ numbering on the doors and rear end, leather bonnet straps, and BRDC stickers on the front wings.  

Exterior equipment includes a roll hoop, a rear rain light, a dual side-exit exhaust, dual Brooklands windscreens, an exterior battery cut-off switch, and 15-inch wire wheels with two-eared Jaguar spinners and Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres.  

The cabin features blue carpets, blue vinyl-trimmed seats, Willans harnesses, a three-spoke Moto-Lita steering wheel, a Stack tachometer, and a boot-mounted fire safety system.   

CONDITION  

Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition. 

The most recent MOT test was conducted on 27 October 2011 at an indicated 30,007 miles, which was a first-time pass with no advisories.   

2025-12-13 16:31:02 | pauls writes:

Car returns to market 12/25

www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1953-jaguar-xk120-ots-road-race-car-8G2E54

Seller's description:

1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car

Sevenoaks, Kent, United Kingdom

Personal race car of renowned Jaguar racing chassis builder Jim Tester

All alloy body and tub construction

Recently serviced by classic racing Jaguar specialists CKL Developments at a cost of over £5,000

Successfully campaigned in historic race series as late as 2017

Road legal despite race specification

This 1953 example is something truly special: the personal race car of renowned Jaguar racing chassis builder Jim Tester, later owned by his son. Built for competition, this XK120 features an all-alloy body and tub, making it significantly lighter than standard examples. With its upgraded engine, brakes, and suspension, this car offers an authentic period racing experience while remaining road legal, giving the new owner the best of both worlds.

The vendor says:

"The most exhilarating '50s sports car you'll drive, whether for track days or blasts down your local roads - very loud, very fast, super light and nimble - easier to drive than many more modern cars. It would cost hundreds of thousands to replicate the spec - Tester Racing chassis, all alloy tub and body, side exit pipes and race-tuned engine."

History and Paperwork

1953 Jaguar XK120 originally registered in the US

Personal race car of renowned Jaguar racing chassis builder Jim Tester, later owned by his son Jim Tester of Tester Engineering and Tester Racing

Successfully campaigned in historic race series as late as 2017

Road legal

Exempt from MOT and road tax

31,150 miles indicated

Limited documented history as maintained by the Testers themselves

Recently serviced by classic racing Jaguar specialists CKL Developments at a cost of over £5,000 (invoice provided)

Would reportedly cost hundreds of thousands to replicate the specification

The Condition

All alloy body and tub

Finished in Jaguar metallic blue

Generally in good condition with some minor marks and a large chip to the rear wheel arch

Presents well for a race car

Straight body panels

Minimal brightwork in decent condition

Chip to one of the aero screens

Roll hoop for track/racing use (currently removed but easy to reinstall)

Chrome wire wheels

Racing instruments on the dash, including Stack instrumentation

Blue vinyl interior and door cards with dark blue carpets in reasonable condition (some wear to driver's footwell)

Full Willans racing harnesses

With its aero screens, leather bonnet strap, and white roundels, this is one seriously purposeful machine that looks completely at home on the racetrack. The quality of this car's fit and finish is sublime, as evidenced in the photographs. 

The Mechanics

XK DOHC straight-six bored to 3.8-litres

Four-speed manual gearbox

Tester Racing chassis

C-type side-exit exhaust

Upgraded brakes and suspension

Upgraded radiator

The vendor states that this car is "terrifyingly fast" with exceptional handling. It's reportedly very loud, very fast, light and nimble, but easier to drive than many more modern cars. We're deeply envious of the next lucky owner.

2026-01-05 22:36:19 | Capt RD writes:

Winning bid £63,000

Sold Auction ended: 5 January, 2025

Carandclassic.com