

Sign up to receive the weekly newsletter featuring the very latest from Petrolicious. Don’t be left out—join the ranks of those who Drive Tastefully.
Already a member? Log in
We're glad you're back.
Not a member yet? Sign up
We'll get you back on track.
Photography by: Simon Clay
If you could make your own car, what would you build?
Perhaps more important, actually, is who you’ll ask to build it. Choosing to have a ’50s-inspired sports racing car built to your specifications is special, but even more so is who did the work on this stunning, one-of-a-kind CMC Jaguar that is now being offered for sale.
As we’ve shown on Petrolicious many times, our modern world is still filled with the sort of craftspeople who could have worked alongside the masters at Italian carrozzeria. Many are in restoration, some do private work, but most importantly, the methods, measurements, materials, and tools used have often been updated to the latest technologies.
For starters, with a chassis engineered to contemporary standards by Adrian Reynard, a man that spends his working hours constructing championship-winning race cars, it should give you an indication that this CMC Jaguar isn’t your typical one-off sports car.
Built to last
Designed and constructed to be a faithful companion during long-distance touring and road rally events, at its heart is a built 320 horsepower (!) Jaguar XK straight-6! That’s surely enough power, when all one is lugging around is a race-bred tubular steel chassis and hand-made aluminum bodywork…
The creator was obsessive in his quest to create a car to fit his vision of the ideal sports racing Jaguar, and so this car even includes both a folding convertible top and stowable tonneau cover.
It’s usually difficult to find an independent opinion of a bespoke car, but this vehicle was reviewed by a few members of the motoring press, who were very enthusiastic. Writing in Telegraph Motoring, Malcolm McKay said, “As I trickle the car through town, I’m struck by the engine’s tremendous flexibility. Later, I try putting it into fifth, at 1,000 rpm, uphill, and floor the throttle. Away it goes, without sputtering or complaining: amazing.”
The Car
Ownership
The car is coming from a small private collection of ’40s–’70’s exotica and been kept in a heated garage. It has been maintained in perfect working order, having done about five hundred miles in the last year. It is being regretfully offered for sale purely to make room for something else.
It comes with special parts to modify the driver’s seat for a shorter driver, the steering wheel that was fitted from new, the tonneau cover, hood and sticks, and original body bucks. The history file includes copies of its magazine mentions and a host of other pertinent information about the car.
Our take
Owning another person’s vision for the perfect sports racing car is perhaps the only hurdle in considering this car. Looks are subjective, but by any measure, the CMC Jaguar is more than able to run with the Jaguar factory racing cars of the ’50s…albeit much more reliably and at far less expense.
The price is GBP £175,000; you can contact Mark Shannon at:
Mobile: +44 (0) 7785 937756
Office: +44 (0) 1483 300882
Email: fazzaz[at]markshannon.net
Website: www.markshannon.net
I love everything except the color!
I’m not so sure about this one (and similar creations like Mechatronik etc). On the one hand I really like the exclusivity and craftmanship. I love that its a work of passion before anything else and its trying to improve the designs of yesteryear with today’s knowledge while remaining faithful to the original concepts which are so much more interesting than many of today’s creations. On the other hand, what I don’t quite get is “what is this car”? Is it a classic? No, and you wouldn’t be allowed into classic events, it has no history. Is it a modern… Read more »
If it was made today by Lister or Zagato would it be genuine to you?
My only complaint is the central gauge placement. The tach should be right in front of the driver.
Good point on the first sentence . On the 2nd as stated to Mr Lange its the Shelby Cobra posterior that is my only complaint .. which errr .. Mr Lange and I may of resolved …
No, its the concept that I don’t quite “get”, nothing to do with the manufacturer. (Does Zagato do anything like this today?)
No but Weismann used to ;
Hmmn . Come to think of it . This thing sure does resemble a Weismann from almost every angle . Only for some reason Weismann did it better . Hmmmn .
The only Chassis pic looks like taffeta or clean-ex and un able to control the forces experienced by a sports/racing car.
It may be ok to go down to the local Starbucks with no load on for a primp and shine day.
Give me an old school C-Type any day
I like it, would probably want to change the colour to a more 50/60’s appropriate one as it looks too much like a 2000’s BMW colour at the moment.
Also wondering what it would look like as a coupe?
BRG Mr Lange ? And as a fastback coupe perhaps ? Whoa baby [ apologies for the moment of Yank ] … that would put this over the top and above all Eagle’s offerings for me . Ohhhh yeah ! BRG and a fastback coupe . The brain cells are spinning a mile a minute conjuring that one up ……………….. yup … it works ! [ levity intended ] PS; My one sticking point with this car is the posterior which looks way too much like a Shelby Cobra’s rump for my tastes [ I love Cobras but not a… Read more »
Amend that to read ‘ 427 Shelby Cobra
nice looking car from what I can see. I am just wondering why there is not one single, clear shot of the cars rear end?
There’s a rear view picture on CMC’s website http://www.classic-motor-cars.co.uk/restorations/lindner/ along with some of their other work
I like it . I get it . I sure as ___ appreciate it . But in all honesty I’d take one of Eagle’s offerings over this in a heartbeat . Just one mans opinion mind you .