2013-03-31 00:39:15 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 2/13
www.silverstoneauctions.com/1950-jaguar-xk120-roadster

Auction description:
Retro & Classic Car Sale
1950 Jaguar XK120 Roadster
Lot No.: 260
Registration: MUO 172
Chassis Number: 660338
Engine Number: W25177
Number of cylinders: 6
CC: 3400
Year of Manufacture: 1950
Estimate (£): 45,000 - 52,000
Sold for (£): 51,300
MUO 172 car has a delightful history. It left the factory in November 1950 and was purchased new from Henley's in London in 1950 and was one of very few UK registered right hand drive roadsters. It stayed with the original owner until it was bought in 1960 by Don Diprose. He paid a hefty £360 for it! Don was a colourful local publican and car enthusiast who ran The Old Inn in Hollingbourne, Kent. He went on to own the car for the next 43 years. In 2004 he handed it on to his daughter and since then it has not been driven a great deal. So it has been in the same family for over half a century!

This particular car is a very original and unmolested XK 120 Roadster from the early production years. It is a UK right hand drive car which retains the original engine and gearbox, making it a 'matching numbers' XK, and thus a highly collectable classic.

The vendor assures us that 'everything works as it should' and the car is said to drive very well. There is some evidence of micro blistering of the paintwork on the bootlid and the interior would perhaps benefit from some more TLC and detailing. MUO 172 was originally painted in suede green with suede green interior. It was at some point re-sprayed and is now looking superb in traditional 'Old English White'. The interior was renewed in 2012 and was re-trimmed in red leather. The vendor mentions that the hood is missing (the original frame is present) and the side screens could do with recovering, but who would want the hood up on a car like this?! However, the car is a very sound basis for a restoration project.

It comes with a framed Jaguar Heritage certificate, an unopened bottle of Weirton XK120 Ale (after all Don was a publican!), an XK Club tie, a service manual and a full original tool kit. It also has a current MOT certificate.

What better opportunity can there be to acquire a very useable piece of British Automotive history, ready for the spring and some classic 'hood down' motoring.With values continuing to steadily rise, it is sensibly guided today, allowing a potential purchaser the chance to restore the car to its former glory and still have the potential benefit of a sound investment.

2014-04-08 10:22:11 | Alex Mamas writes:

I recently (March 2014) purchased the above vehicle from Camberley Marine & Sports Cars Ltd, Fleet, Hampshire. As the auction description states it was owned by Don Diprose since 1960 and sold last year by his daughter. I have spent a good few weeks going over and fettling her. This car is an original UK right hand drive car with full matching numbers. The car is very original with lots of correct period features although it has been used and enjoyed throughout its years. I would describe her based on the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club as condition 'A' (Good condition). Quite remarkably there is absolutely no rust on the car and no patch repairs to the chassis. If anyone has any further information regarding this car please could you email or phone me.

2014-04-08 13:02:09 | Alex Mamas writes:

Alex Mamas 07867 528161 sales@poolewaite.co.uk

2014-04-22 20:03:53 | Anonymous writes:

interesting article on this car in the kent messenger april 2014

2023-02-25 04:37:08 | Stephen smith writes:

I knew this car and Don Diprose very well, he was real character and sadly missed.

The car was off the road for some years and when it was re-commissioned I rewired it with a new loom and added indicators built into the existing front sidelamps and flashing the brake lamps as Don didn't want orange lamps fitted..

A lovely original car, complete with the rear spats when i last saw it.

2023-02-25 08:37:32 | JeremyB writes:

Why do so many people get the colour of the rear wing beading wrong ? It is really very silly.