This Jaguar is NOT your run-of-the-mill kit car. This is an incredible realistic look-alike, built by a master craftsman, and is the absolute head-turner of all time. The "kit" was offered in the late 1970s by Antique & Classic Automotive, Inc. of Buffalo, NY. Their design and engineering objectives were achieved by using an original 1937 Jaguar SS-100 (one of only 111 thought to exist at that time) for production tooling: patterns, molds, dies, and fixtures. Look-alike results are evident in the fold down windshield, big headlamps, radiator with Jaguar ornament, and body assemblies. Features include chrome-plated brass castings, safety plate glass, stainless steel wire grills, custom-designed adjustable bucket seats, matched top, side curtains, etc.

Especially interesting are the racing screens located just behind the windshield (these are removeable, and do not appear in all of the photos). Fold the windshield down and the screens come into action, just as on the original cars. And the wheels aren't the usual modern 14 or 15-inch wires that look completely out of place, or even worse, modern plain wheels with "wire wheel" hubcaps. This Jag's wheels are genuine period 1930s wire wheels, with professionally-made aluminum adapters from the 5-lug wheels to the 4-lug VW pattern. These adapters can't be seen from the outside. The hub caps are real Jaguar pieces, and for some reason fit the wheels perfectly (the wheels might actually be Jaguar, but I don't know that for sure). The tires are 5.25/5.50x17, and use tubes.

The car is built on a 1969 VW chassis, lengthened a foot-and-a-half at the front to reach the actual Jaguar wheelbase. Note that the shifter is behind the emergency brake, not like a VW. The engine and trans are 1970 VW. From the outside, there is almost no indication that the engine is at the rear. The car is registered in Calfornia as a 1969 Volk 2D. The mileage is from the installation of the instruments, I've no idea of how you would measure the mileage on what. I don't think that the kit part has too many more miles than the odo shows.

I've shown the car twice here in southern California. There must have been literally hundreds of photographs taken of it. Kids go bonkers over it, and the younger they are, the louder the squeals when they see it. The original builder took over two years to build this car. The detail work is amazing. The "bonnet" (front hood) leather hold-down straps have the Jaguar emblem embossed in the ends. The wood strips on the running boards and trunk are oak. The dash is made of teak. The fabric top is in near perfect condition, is tight, and can be lowered in about a minute. The body, of course, is fiberglass, but is very heavy and has no cracks, no stress fractures, or anything like that. The instruments are VDO "vintage" pieces (electric speedo and tach, oil temp, oil pressure, voltage, and fuel level). The gas tank and battery are in the front, below a moderate-size storage space (like a small trunk). The Jag has 2-speed windshield wipers, but the arms and blades must be removed to fold the windshield down (this takes about a half-minute.) There are interior lights, a back-up light, turn signals, emergency flashers, two separate hidden electric cut-off switches for theft protection, the spare mount folds down for engine access, and, sorry to say, a radio that's much too modern. Besides the huge headlamps, there is a single yellow fog light in the front center (see the photos). Has a new battery, new brakes, and new muffler (EMPI).

Don't confuse this with the average amateur stuck-together kit. This Jag is a work of art.