Hi guys. I'm wondering if anyone here knows anything about the XK120 & beyond series? I'm thinking of getting one & participate in classic rallies but noticed that 140 & beyond are not qualified for MM. Has anyone done Mille Miglia & the like? May I know what are the requirements for classic rallies? Also noticed that some vendors advertised "matching nos" so does it mean that several cars are salvaged with different engines etc? How will this affect value? Many thanks.
I'm not familiar with rally rules so I'm not sure why a 140 or 150 wouldn't be eligible. The XK150 had a number of features such as 4-wheel disk brakes that were cutting edge at the time. The XK120 is a milestone car that was the "world's fastest car" for a while (the "120" in the name refers to the top speed). It would not be uncommon for different engines or gearboxes to be installed in a more than 50 year old car. The term "matching numbers" would indicate that the original stuff is still there. This will usually cost you more.
Thanks Tim. Good to learn a few things from you. I suppose that Mille Miglia has a certain age group to adhere to so the 150 is somehow not eligible.
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Hi Jonn A 120 should be OK for the Mille Migia. The cut off is 1957 or earlier. However the XK120 may not be important enough for their consideration. The cars are chosen for historical significance also. They are very picky about originality, so make sure the numbers all match whatever they have to match. Good luck Rich
It varies. But as maserich posted above the Mille Miglia is very selective. If you are set on that event, you will want to find a well-documented car with competition history. Guys frequently look for cars specifically that are eligible for this and other events. In fact "event eligible" seems to carry a premium beyond "matching numbers". It's definitely another world compared to buying the usual modern exotic. Octane magazine seems to have a good section on tours -- you might do a little research there. There are many events were an XK120 would be welcomed. Also, Bill Noon at Symbolic Motors (billnoon on FChat) is one good resource on what to look for when it comes to "eligible" cars.
I actually looked into the MM, and as noted, they are selective. Not only do they want originality, but it must be a car that either competed or could have competed in the MM when it was in it's heyday. I could have sworn the date was later than 1957, but that's close if not correct. I would think an XK120 would be a proper car for that event.
