1951 Jaguar XK 120 - Roadster “Tester Spec” Race prepared.

Chassis number 660469, originally bronze with a two-tone biscuit/tan interior, was despatched from the factory on 8th January 1951, delivered to main distributor Parkers of Bolton. It was sold through Paragon Motors of Oldham to a Mr A T G Edwards on 31st December 1951. Nothing is then known of the car until Jaguar issued a vehicle information sheet on 30th June 1988, confirming the identity of the car; the owner at that time is unknown.

Some time after that the car was completely rebuilt by Jim Tester with a full alloy body supplied by RS Panels. The chassis was modified to full Tester specification, including a six point rose-jointed rear axle, front suspension modifications, Koni shock absorbers, full rack and pinion steering and disc brakes. The engine, originally from a Jaguar Mk X, is a blue-printed 4.2 litre with a big valve cylinder head, XJ6 camshafts for better power delivery and triple SU carburettors from a Mk X on an E Type manifold. Rebuilt by Sigma, it now produces around 320 bhp. The engine was mounted six inches lower in the chassis and is mated to a four speed, full synchromesh gearbox. A larger core alloy radiator is fitted, with a competition cooling fan and a circulation booster pump. The rear axle has a limited slip differential and uprated half shafts. It has an adjustable competition pedal box with twin master cylinders and brake servos, 4 pot calipers, vented front discs and competition pads.

An alloy fuel tank is fitted, with a Monza filler cap, competition fuel pump and regulator. A battery isolator switch and fire extinguisher system are fitted, together with aluminium competition bucket seats, trimmed in ox-blood leather, and full harnesses. There is an isolator and alarm switch on the right under-side of the dashboard.

TSK235 was one of only six XK120s built to this specification and was purchased by Henry Pearman of Eagle Racing Ltd on 4th February 1998. He bought the car to join the first JEC Challenge series and raced it in the XK 50th Anniversary event. It also competed successfully in the 60th Anniversary hill climb.

When advertised for sale by Pearman, the car was painted in British Racing Green and was the only “Jim Tester” car to have a full windscreen and side screens. It was sold to Roger Learmonth who had Brian Stevens of XK Motorsport convert it to full race specification but avoided cutting the body to fit the roll-over bar. The engine was prepared by Peter Lander of Sigma Engineering. Learmonth ran her in the first half dozen Challenger races and said: “She went like stink! I’ve owned thirteen XKs and TSK was the best driving XK I’ve experienced.” Top speed is close to 140 mph.

Subsequently the car has passed through three other periods of ownership during which it was campaigned successfully in numerous events. The most recent owner was Guy Ziser. The full windscreen has been replaced by two Brooklands aero screens with fairings and a single roll-over hoop has been fitted. The engine was rebuilt again by Sigma and, most recently, by CKL.