After the Detling Kit car show. I was convinced enough to arrange a test drive.  It took some time to organise but we finally agreed a date at the beginning of August. We decided to combine the test drive with a long weekend break in Taunton. Saturday 3/8/2002, 9:00 am. we arrived at the Factory, to be greeted by Malcolm Rolfe and Chris Boyer, both of whom I had met at Detling. Whilst I discussed some technical points with Chris, Malcolm took Mary for a test drive.

Whilst Mary was away I had a guided tour of the facility. There was a chassis upside down on the building jig and this provided an excellent opportunity to familiarise oneself with some of the details. It is a much sturdier construction than the Westfield space frame but then it is a ladder, off which everything else hangs. Besides in 1948 that is how you made cars.  The chassis has all box sections are sprayed with Waxoil and the whole thing is finished in black paint. Chris explained some of the chassis detail and gave me a few tips on filling of some box sections with expanding foam as additional corrosion protection.   We talked about suspension, the car uses modified XJ6 running gear, modified drive shafts, wishbones, steering rack,  engines and suitable donor cars.

Other customer cars were in various stages of completion. Silver seemed to be the popular colour

 
Mary arrives back driving the car

The demonstrator car was the one shown at Detling. A 4.2 L Fuel injected, XK engine, mated to a 4 speed manual transmission with overdrive.  Finished in metallic silver and red interior trim it was a stunning looking car. To my surprise Mary arrived back driving the car. Mary could not drive the Westfield because of her small size. Yet the Classic 120 had plenty of seat adjustment to accommodate her and she had adequate visibility.  It was clear she was impressed by the car and had enjoyed the drive

Now it was my turn to go out with Chris. The test drive was around Taunton country lanes, the car handled well. The steering was light and positive without the need for power steering. The engine was quiet and responsive, typical of a 6 cylinder vehicle. Gear changes were slick and efficient and it took no time at all to get used to the overdrive. I was impressed with the aerodynamics. The car was fitted with wind deflectors each side of the windscreen, the ride was very smooth, no buffeting, even at 80 mph, quite different to driving the Westfield.  The Classic 120 is not quick even with 6 cylinders and 205 bhp. It is no slouch either Its' size disguises the speed at which you are travelling.  It glides along effortlessly  in keeping with the classic lines and the 50’s era of the XK120.

All to soon the test drive was over. Back at the factory we asked about putting the hood up. Having struggled with the Westfield hood, by comparison the Classic 120 hood is easy to erect if necessary.  To try and capture all the details we had discussed we bought a build manual.  What we` saw and experienced, as well as  Mary being able to drive the car, pretty well decided us to build one.