1951 Jaguar XK120

Owner: Simon Tasker Hosted by: Norton & Sons Photography: Jonny Fleetwood/Octane

This XK120 is one of the most prolific competition Jaguars ever made, notching up more than 40,000 miles as an international rally and circuit-racing car. It was originally bought for the wife of Walter Charles Grant Norton, a master tailor and the managing director of Norton & Sons.

Grant Norton had been a keen rally driver before World War Two, and he soon pressed the XK120 into service on the Alpine Rally – without much support from Jaguar. He and his co-driver Derick Loader bagged a fifth-in-class finish. Grant Norton would continue to compete with the car until 1954, on events such as the RAC Rally of Great Britain, Brighton Speed Trials, London Motor Club and returns to the Alpine Rally. He sold the XK120 to Taffy Rich in 1954.

Its next owner after Rich was Mike McKee, who used the Jaguar in circuit racing. Several more owners followed, before the car eventually ended up as an exhibit at the Midland Motor  Museum, while still competing. After a few more owners and only light use, it was sold to the current owner in 2021, who commissioned specialist restorer CMC to get this XK120 fighting fit for its next adventure, which will be the Mille Miglia in 2024.

Power: 160bhp | Top speed: 120mph | 0-60mph: 9.5 seconds

Norton & Sons

Founded by Walter Norton and originally located on the Strand, the business flourished, and in 1859 then 'Guv'nor' George James Norton was granted the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to tailoring. In the 1860s, Norton & Sons moved to Savile Row to join the ranks of tailors in what was to become the home of bespoke clothing.