Hello and welcome to the sale of this stunning British sports car. The kit is an Autotune Aristocat, and they are still available and in business today, so great parts availability and an active owners club following. Whilst clearly taking styling from the 50s and 60s XK series, the dimensions differ due to the XJS base vehicle giving it a much wider, lower and aggressive stance and it's own identity as opposed to an out and out replica. It features a glass fibre body over a custom space from chassis and weighs in at just 1300kg. This particular vehicle was once a late 70s XJS- the gentleman that owned it drove the XJS for several years, then bought the kit and converted it for his retirement. It took him 6 years to build, with completion in 2014, and it has covered just 1600 miles since. It has been done very well indeed, all mechanicals and electrical in good order. The engine and gearbox is 5.3 V12 XJS, as is all the running gear. Many of these use the smaller 6 cylinder engine so this is very much 'the big one'. I have a dyno print out indicating approx 300bhp- combined with the low weight it certainly has an impressive turn of speed should the occasion arise. It has spax shock absorbers all round, power steering, Kenlowe electric fan and electronic ignition. The 17” team dynamics alloys with modern tyres give good road holding. It has a milled aluminium dashboard with nice switchgear, some recognisable seats and other furniture from the XJS, and a tasteful Moto Lita steering wheel. It also has nice tonneau cover and a decent heater, enabling a relatively snug experience on those colder days. In mid 2023. the owner and builder sadly passed away, and it was in his garage half way through having some work done. We bought it off the family and took to straight to be recommissioned with all new brakes inc inboard rear discs and pads which is a fairly big job.The front brakes were replaced to match. We have also had it professionally valeted and completed a few details like new black and white number plates and the racing decals which I chose to give a nod to the XJS racers of old. On the road it drives very well, very compliant thanks to the big cat underpinnings and it doesn’t shake your teeth out. In fact it’s very comfortable, and quite a big car with lots of interior and boot space. It goes like a rocket if you wish it to. It’s got an American drag style auto shifter which is quite cool and gives a degree of manual control over the gearbox should you wish to give it the beans, or you can just put it in drive and cruise about. It sounds superb with the twin stainless exhausts burbling away in a non intrusive manner at idle, with a very enjoyable bark at higher revs.
To sum up I think this is a pretty cool car, I like the motor sport theme, it’s got its own identity and I prefer that to the ones that are trying too hard to be an XK replica and just look wrong. I’ve had factory Morgans and Cobra kit cars and I rate it above both, certainly in this price range at least. Viewing is actively encouraged and I am sure the new owner will be very pleased. Part exchange considered and U.K/ N.I delivery available.