Reliant XK120 replica?

[Jukebag]

Recently came across an ad for a replica XK120 which sounds a real bargain (fitted with a Rover V8), but for some reason I've never heard of this (presumably long gone)kit car company before and no info seems to come up on the net. In the ad it's described as a Reliant XK120 replica. As far as I know, there is (or was) only two replica XK120 kits, these were the Nostalgia and the Aristocat (Autotune). The makers date of this particular replica is 1975; didn't think they were making kits of these back then. Sounds an odd name for a kit manufacturer of a prestigous Jag classic. The surprising thing is the price of £12,500. Looks too much like a real one to me, but what do I know.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C617273#

[Jukebag]

I actually thought the same that it came off a Reliant Scimitar, but didn't think people were making kits from Scimitar chassis, not many anyway, it's usually Ford or Jaguar stuff. I presume it's someone's self-build rather than a kit company which once were manufacturing them, like I said there's only been two kit firms (as far as I know) which made XK120 replicas/kits. I must say whoever built this did a really good job of getting it too look authentic, apart from those seats. Nostalgia is the closest I've seen to the look of the real one, but of course the prices for one are often in the 20-£30,000 region.

[Jukebag]

That's a nice 120 replica for sale, but 40 grand is well over the top IMO. I don't see any difference between that and the one for £12,500 considering it looks just as good. Yes there's different engines, but not everyone wants a big jag engine in a kit car, just something with enough power and something which isn't going to put deep holes in ones pockets. People want a 4 litre jag engine, but they don't realise that they are very costly to run. Engines like that aren't cheap to run, and people who run them on a regular basis clearly can afford to. Had a 4.2 lite series 2 XJ6 that my dad ran for a short time in the early 80s, and even back then it cost an arm and leg to run; he has a Wildcat e type with a v6 Essex in it and it's good enough for him, anything like a 4.2 lite or above in it he just wouldn't be able to run because too costly, and being a pensioner dosent help. Kit cars generally are for the common "poor" man, which is why most kits of Jag classics have more modest and economical engines in them. There's a chap local to me who said he has a 7.2 litre Cobra, I can't imagine how much that would cost to run.

Edited by Jukebag on Wednesday 27th May 11:15

[Jukebag]

headrush said:

As this is fast becoming an XK120s for sale thread, here's an even cheaper one to consider - £8995!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autotune-Aristocat-Jagua...



4.2 Jag engined and well disguised number plate but admittedly looks like it's had a few too many sunday lunches down the pub judging by its more 16:9 appearance from the front!

Edited by headrush on Wednesday 27th May 12:27

A good description there. It's true they do look very 16.9 wide at the front. I think part of that is to do with that large, non-original 120 grill, which looks like it came off a MK2 or S-Type. Just doesn't look right to me. But again, this will reflect the price, and anything close to original stlying and the price will increase. There's a few Aristocat 120s I've seen for sale, some going for around £5,000.