QUOTES FROM THE KIT MEDIA

Kit Car -

"the most fun you can have with your clothes on........ the outer skin of the car is totally unstressed and is beautifully made ........ driving quickly is a pleasure because the chassis is well designed ........ the four wheel disc brakes were totally positive, did not fade and you just knew that they would stop you from whatever speed you were doing ........ the firmness gave a deal of confidence when cornering ...... "As an everyday car the Aristocat would be an excellent choice ........ how comfortable the seating and driving position was"....

Which Kit?

"so the Aristocat is large and fast, but the best part is the potential cheapness of the build-up. Without compromising quality, Autotune have developed a kit that's basically destined to re-place the donor's shell, tanks and glass. Also worthy of note is the fact that no compromises are made regarding modifications or parts - the finished Aristocat can be driven into a Jaguar dealer for routine servicing in the same way that you would service the donor vehicle."

John Lelliot, Sports Car Monthly -

"even on soaking wet roads that would have had a Quatro driver finding an excuse to stay at home the Aristocat took corners at the most impossible speeds with no drama at all, and displayed none of the assorted rattles and squeaks that mar so many others ........ leg room is good for even the tallest drivers and the seating position is almost close to ideal ........ from the most impossible speeds the brakes do a good job - there is none of the disconcerting diving and weaving that some mass-produced cars are prone to under these conditions"....

"A FAMILY'S TAYLOR-MADE CARS" David Benson, Daily Express -

"What makes the Taylors unique is that they also build children's versions of the Xk and deliver them guaranteed by their two test drivers, Sally and Richard"...

Aristocat - race proven design In production since 1984 AUTOTUNE - ESTABLISHED 1969

AUTOTUNE is a well established company which has been trading since 1969 and as a limited company since 1975. This small family business maintains a profile in historic, classic, and replica road and track cars. In essence, it lives, eats, sleeps and breathes cars. Thus, kits are turned out alongside originals. Managing Director, Anthony Taylor has been involved with racing and the preparation of customers' competition and road vehicles for over 30 years, working on what we now call classics when they were new and expensive daily road cars. This has included all the Jaguar range from the early XK 120 with ladder frame chassis right through to spaceframes and continuing on to current sports racing cars with aluminium monocoque chassis.

During this time, he has three times won a regional sprint/hillclimb championship in a Formula Atlantic single seater and in 1978 and 1980 won two national sports racing car championships. Not only has his work involved high performance cars, but he has been responsible for developing and maintaining off-shore power boats for customers, competing many times in the Cowes/Torquay race. Taylor still races Historic cars, and helped to found the Competition Committee of the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club in'98.

The company has been producing the Aristocat Sports since 1984, and according to Kit Car Magazine is "A Company with an impeccable customer relations background". It is vital to point out that the Aristocat kit was engineered from the wheels upward rather than the fibreglass downward. The design criteria was to give all enthusiasts the opportunity to build for themselves, a motor car with classic appeal using modern mechanics, and superb performance, at a realistic price. However, the company did not set out to produce an exact replica, but to make a kit "within the spirit of the XK Series", therefore, making the Sports model, a more updated car. The original prototype was clocked by a representative of the media at 0-60 in six seconds and with a top speed of over 150 mph, gaining total credibility with its continuous, reliable performances when raced at ten tenths. The kit takes the width of the donor car, and is thus a few inches wider than the XK 120, but only one inch wider than the 150, with the addition let in down the centre to retain the delightful wing flow. With fewer modifications, the kit is easier to build, construction being so much more practical than the dimensionally exact models. The cockpit is spacious and the boot is particularly large. This kit will happily provide space for drivers who are well over six feet, a rarity in the kitcar market

AUTOTUNE joined the SMMT early on in the evolvement of the car, completing most of the criteria required by the current SVA testing back in 1992. At this time, the company was given written permission by Jaguars to produce the Aristocat. TUV (UK) Ltd. on behalf of the SMMT tested the Aristocat from all aspects, including: Design, production methods, quality of chassis materials, welding, GRP strength and quality, surface area mouldings, component fit and accessibility, body fit, road holding, continuity of maintenance, premises, and those of sub contractors, assembly instructions, back-up and service, plus company integrity. It was necessary to submit a chassis for testing to the EC Directive, Regulation 14, for seat belt anchorages, having a pull test to a load of three tons. The Aristocat passed with flying colours on the Rig at Manchester Metropolitan University, organised by STATUS.

The company is not merely concerned with turning out kits, but of producing kits which have proven aspects of safety built in for your protection. Side impact bars are incorporated into the chassis design.

The Government has now introduced SVA - Single Vehicle Approval. This is a new type of testing whereby all kits must be submitted to specified Ministry of Transport Testing Stations, for a full test, lasting approximately four hours. When approved the newly built kit can be registered at the local VRO (Vehicle Registration Office). It has never been the norm for an Aristocat to be given a Q plate, if the normal instructions are followed, and the V5 Registration Document is in order. Under the new legislation, the donor plate will be exchanged for an "age related" plate, which shows the same year letter as the donor. A cherished number plate should be put into retention prior to stripping the donor vehicle. Once an age related plate has been issued, then h h i h d b b h i

Aristocat Owners' Club www.aristocat-xk.co.uk

Visit our Web Site: www.kitsnclassics.com e-mail: autotune@kitsnclassics.com

ARISTOCAT DIMENSIONS

U

THE idea of the Aristocat Sports is based on the one donor principal, an XJ6 or V12 Jaguar. An XJS Jaguar can also be used as a donor for most parts. Ideally the donor should be one that is perhaps suffering from terminal bodyrot but that is mechanically very sound, and which can be test driven prior to buying. In doing so it is then possible to be aware of any inherent faults, which can be rectified more easily when the components are stripped from the donor and are on the workshop floor. Thus, when the car is built up you know that the parts fitted are already in good working order. This is the major benefit of building a one donor kit, though it is obviously easier than sourcing several different models of cars, and is a more cost effective route. Using as much of the donor makes it easier to pass SVA because all the parts have already been homologated for full type approval.

Our day to day working knowledge of Jaguars will ensure that you get a speedy answer if you telephone for information, however trivial or technical. Second hand or new parts can be supplied for Jaguar/Daimler components. A spaceframe chassis was specifically chosen because it is the strongest chassis for this type of vehicle. Spaceframes prevent the flexing and tortional twisting associated with the older ladder frames, which can then cause bad road holding and cracking in the bodywork. A spaceframe is designed to take all the stresses; the bodyshell is purely cosmetic. The Aristocat chassis, therefore, sacrifices cost, for performance and safety.

This is a car which has been highly praised by the media for the exceptional road holding; the balance is very nearly 50/50. The design gives the occupants the maximum amount of protection in an accident including side impact. Alloy panelling on the framework provides extra stiffness, weather proofing and incorporates some degree of front and rear fireproof bulkheads. Re-rated springs specially calibrated for the kit must be fitted. We recommend that new shockabsorbers be fitted, but the standard Jaguar ones can be used if they are in good condition. The softer springs are required to compensate for the lighter weight, the kit losing 30% of the original donor weight, and weighing about 22 cwt. The workshop will strip down donor cars (doing the heavy, dirty work!), recondition engines and component parts, build up rolling chassis, or complete further stages if required. Donor cars can also be supplied with prices depending on condition and specification. It is quite normal to take the kit in stages of your own choice, to spread the cost of build, and to help with limited space. Cost effectiveness may depend on travelling distances. Kits can be delivered, if the customer is unable to collect from the workshop, at a negotiated rate.

SPECIFICATIONS ARISTOCAT XK120 OVERALL LENGTH 14'5" 14'5" OVERALL HEIGHT 4'2" 4'2"

(to top of screen) OVERALL WIDTH 5'7" 5'2 WHEELBASE 8,6" 8,6"

TRACK FRONT 4110" 4'3" TRACK REAR 4'10 1/2

" 4'2" GROSS WEIGHT 22cwt 26cwt ENGINE TOC 4235cc TOC 3442cc FRONT SUSPENSION Ind. wishbone, anti-roll bar Ind. wishbone, torsion bar, coil/over dampers lever arm dampers, anti-roll bar REAR SUSPENSION Ind. wishbone, radius arms, Live axle, semi-elliptical leaf springs, twin coil/over dampers telescopic shock absorbers BRAKES Discs all-round Drums all-round STEERING Rack and pinion Recirculating ball

THE GRP panels are produced by a well established specialist fibreglass company, registered to BS Standard ISO 9002. The body panels consist of a front nose section, rear section, boot lid, bonnet and two doors in gelcoat.

Gelcoat finish is a process whereby the chosen colour is impregnated into the panels which are hand laid in a 4 oz lay-up strengthened at the strategic points in a 6 oz lay-up. They do not require edge trimming, filling, rubbing down or spraying. Gelcoat is a much harder, thicker surface than paint and is offered in a range of standard colours; Old English White, British Racing Green, Post Office Red and Oxford Blue. Other colours are available on special order and will incur surcharges. There is no reason to opt for the expense of painting the shell, but it is a option. Few customers have made this choice.

Return edges are standard on all wheel arches and the bonnet. The engine compartment and the boot area have inner mouldings; The doors are inner panelled ready to accept the customer's choice of trim and are removable to fit the donor locking mechanisms. Purpose made door hinges are specially manufactured for the car. These are bolted to the chassis and are capable of controlling the large Aristocat doors.

Because the bodyshell is unstressed, it is possible to cut the standard unit away to enable a 2+2 to be made. Much of the interior of the kit can be obtained from the donor car.

The expensive walnut finish dashboards, with slight tailoring, can be used, along with the pre-mounted instruments and switches. As the donor loom is used, this simplifies the job. Keep and use all radiused trim edgings, for SVA. Donor parts should all meet this criteria having already passed full type approval.

It is suggested that an alternative, aftermarket or Mini type, heater be used as the donor tends to be rather complex and very large. Demisters must be fitted.

There are various windscreen options, including aero screens for the total enthusiast with a tonneau cover, and no need to fit washers and wipers etc. The budget screen is the original Aristocat Sports screen which is a one-piece flat glass with reproduction chrome XK side pillars. A split GRP screen is available and should be ordered at the same time as the bodyshell for correct colour match, and this can then be bonded to the shell prior to collection. This options is ideal if a detachable hardtop is required. Finally, there is the split chrome screen using repro side pillars and an original centre piece and capping.

A massive boot space is provided to take the spare wheel, hood and frame. This will still leave vast areas for suitcases, tent or even the monthly supermarket shopping expedition.

• Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club welcomes Aristocat drivers to their club. The award winning monthly magazine is well worth the annual subscription. Membership application forms are available from Autotune. * An Aristocat Register exists, benefits of which include discounts with certain Kit Insurance companies, and the Spirit magazine sent out to member owners, containing advice, technical topics, gossip and venues & dates for outings and Shows. • Since 1983, Aristocats have gathered a large following and are now owned and driven in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany (where the car has passed single TOV approval), Holland, New Zealand, Russia and Sweden. This is alongside the several hundred being enjoyed in Great Britain. * A dimensionally exact Coupe 140 Replica is also made, Jaguar based, but is not as practical a car because of space constraints. Separate details and prices are available.

* Demonstrator cars of each model are available for test drives by prior appointment, in or out of normal working hours. The cars are displayed at several Exhibitions throughout the year.

Sports: Split GRP Screen & Detachable Hardtop

Sports: Detachable Hardtop: Flat & GRP Screens

DONOR VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS THE ideal donor vehicles are any of the XJ6 saloon cars Series 1, 2 or 3 which were built between 1968 and 1986. An XJS is also suitable as a donor although not as many parts can be transferred from this compared to the XJ6. Both the Straight Six and V12 engined models of both XJ and XJS can be used. . JAGUAR / DAIMLER SALOON: Series I, II, III - XJ6 or XJ12 The parts that could be obtained from the donors, for a standard Aristocat build include: Front axle complete -including front hubs, discs & callipers Wheels and tyres (VR Rated) including spare wheel-securing screw from boot Steering column with switches and ignition, plus wheel (collapsible for testing) Steering link for exchange and modifications Engine and auxiliaries: starter, alternator, distributor, water pump, fan, power steering pump, inlet ~ manifold & carburettors / Fuel injection Exhaust: Front two thirds Gearbox: manual or automatic (either can be swapped over) Pedal set (not from an XJS) Master cylinders, servo and fluid reservoirs Wiper motor and rack, plus wheel boxes & windscreen washer kit (depends on screen choice) All wiring loom and relays and connectors (labelled as taken out) Dashboard with instruments Propshaft (for exchange and mods.) Rear radius arm mounting points -for exchange Rear axle complete with all brakes Radius arms Door locks, catches, mechanisms & handles where applicable Front seats with runners Handbrake -under dash type Head lamps (some models) Side repeater lights if fitted Interior: centre console & possibly arm rests if required Rear seat leather to match front for trimming & rear passenger grab handles Fuel pump plus filter & filler cap and keys (to be recessed in shell as original) Aluminium bottom door kick plates Radiused interior mouldings (i.e. top dash/bottom dash etc.) Various sundry items: clips, clamps, seals, trims, fasteners, chrome pieces, etc. The chassis is common to all engines but with different mounting points. The use of some donor parts depends on various kit options chosen. It is recommended that the six-cylinder engine be used in preference to the twelve. Autotune cannot be held responsible for changes of type in parts fitted by the donor manufacturer. We suggest the above list (XJ Donor) based on our own experience.

Reg in England No: 1207 658 VAT No: 175

Directors: G. A. Taylor, C. B. Taylor

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ARISTOCAT: ORDER FORM UNIT 1J, RIVERSIDE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, RISHTON, BLACKBURN. LANCS. BB1 4NF Tel: Great Harwood 01254 886819

AUTO TUNE (RISHTON) LTD.

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