- David Gandy achieves lifetime ambition to design his own Jaguar XK120
- Gandy and Jaguar Classic team complete 2,700-hour bespoke restoration after finding 1954 registered Jaguar XK120 under a bush in California, USA
- Rebuild included a series of unique upgrades including bespoke tan leather seats
- The British model is “ready to race” and plans to compete in classic motor races in the future
- Gandy is driving his bespoke XK120 to Monaco for the Formula E-Prix this weekend
- To find out more about giving a classic Jaguar the bespoke treatment, go here: www.jaguar.com/classic
David Gandy has fulfilled a life-long ambition by completing the restoration of a 65-year-old original Jaguar XK120.
The British model unveiled his bespoke classic vehicle in Saint Tropez on Thursday evening, after the car underwent 2,700 hours of restoration by the Jaguar Classic team.
David Gandy has fulfilled a life-long ambition by completing the restoration of a 65-year-old original Jaguar XK120
The original car – which was discovered under a bush in California, USA - was registered in 1954 as a standard left-hand drive model but was brought to the UK to be restored to David’s specification by the team at Jaguar Classic in Warwickshire, UK.
Taking inspiration from the original XK120 Lightweight model, Gandy’s ambition for the vehicle was to recondition the iconic Jaguar with modern upgrades to make it “ready to race” in the popular classic car events.
Having driven a Jaguar XK120 at Mille Miglia in 2013 and 2014, I knew that I wanted to own one of these incredibly special cars. Completing the restoration has been an extraordinary experience and now being out here and finally seeing it complete against the backdrop of St Tropez is pretty amazing. Driving it into Monaco for the E-Prix this weekend will be a very special moment. It’s been great sharing a bit of Jaguar Racing’s past, present and future out here this weekend.
David Gandy
British model
David Gandy has fulfilled a life-long ambition by completing the restoration of a 65-year-old original Jaguar XK120
Every step of the design and restoration, for both the exterior and interior of the vehicle was created in collaboration between Gandy and the Jaguar Classic team.
Using influences from his successful career in fashion - working with some of the most prominent creatives and brands in the world - he and the Jaguar Classic team worked closely to meticulously rebuild every component including an upgraded engine, braking system, and give the vehicle a striking black exterior finish made up of 13 litres and four coats of paint.
We’ve taken inspiration from the most successful XK120s in Jaguar’s history and combined its historical features with some modern-day design elements. It’s been a passion project and a real labour of love, working with the Jaguar Classic team.
David Gandy
British model
Finished with an Aged Saddle tan leather interior, some other personalised modifications include a smaller 15-inch steering wheel and a made-to-measure front seat with a bespoke lattice design to enhance comfort for 6ft 2inch tall David.
This unique XK120 showcases the expertise, skill and craftmanship that Jaguar Classic makes available for all of its customers. Not only were we able to bring this iconic sports car back to life mechanically, but the attention to detail and the bespoke design of the interior sets David’s car apart.
Calum McKechnie
Head of Jaguar Classic
The 11-month project was finished just in time for David to get the keys and lead a fleet of classic Jaguar vehicles to the Monaco E-Prix this weekend.
