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1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car For Sale (picture 1 of 156)
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1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car For Sale (picture 1 of 156)
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1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car For Sale (picture 5 of 156)
1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car For Sale (picture 6 of 156)

1953 Jaguar XK120 OTS Road & Race Car

Winning bid
£63,000

Bidders please note - The auction end date has been changed to the 5th of January to to the vendors holiday commitments

Highlights

  • 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


The Appeal

The Jaguar XK120 established itself as one of the most iconic sports cars of the post-war era, combining stunning looks with genuine performance credentials. Upon launch, it was the fastest car in the world.

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."

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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

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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. 

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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.
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BEFORE YOU BUY 
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence. 
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own  full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle. 
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection 
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand. It is the bidders responsibility to confirm import eligibility prior to purchase. 
Winning bid
£63,000
Sold

Auction Details

  • Year1953
  • MakeJaguar
  • ModelXK120
  • ColourBlue
  • Odometer31,150 Miles
  • Engine size3800cc
  • TransmissionManual, 4 speed
  • Steering positionRight Hand Drive
  • Fuel typePetrol
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownSevenoaks
  • CountyKent
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

17 Bids

squirej••••
Bid
£63,000
05/01/26
Jonniek
Bid
£62,000
05/01/26
squirej••••
Bid
£60,000
05/01/26
WrightD••••
Bid
£56,000
05/01/26
squirej••••
Bid
£55,000
02/01/26
Jonniek
Bid
£51,000
01/01/26
squirej••••
Bid
£50,000
31/12/25
FSS••••
Bid
£45,250
30/12/25
squirej••••
Bid
£45,000
29/12/25
Tomhart••••
Bid
£33,000
29/12/25
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