Lot Ended
Description
Few owners, the current since 1979; recent £50k refurb by CMC
including rebuilt gearbox and full repaint in the original Pastel Green;
matching numbers UK car; front disc brakes; a really super example all
round
Launched at
the 1954 London Motor Show as the successor to the sensational XK120 which had
appeared in 1948, the XK140 was broadly similar to the outgoing model but
considerably more refined with a host of mechanical improvements.
Under
the bonnet the XK140 retained Jaguar's well-proven 3.4-litre twin-cam six, which
now produced 190bhp in standard trim thanks to higher-lift camshafts and revised
porting – up 30bhp from the standard XK120 and now capable of 140mph (hence the
name). A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased
performance, as did stiffer torsion bars on the front suspension and new
telescopic shock absorbers to the rear. Steering was also improved with the
adoption of the rack-and-pinion set up from the Le Mans-winning C-Type
racer.
The luxuriously trimmed cabin was also notably roomier as the
engine and bulkhead were now three inches further forward, a modification which
also improved weight distribution and handling. External changes were limited to
a wider radiator grille, rear lights incorporating flashing indicators, and
larger bumpers front and rear.
Three body styles were offered,
fixed-head, roadster and drop-head. A total of 8,956 XK140s were made before it
was replaced by the larger XK150 in 1957, of which just 738 were home market
right-hand drive fixed-head coupes.
As the Heritage Certificate confirms,
this particular XK140 is one of those 738 machines and was built in September
1955 finished in Pastel Green with a Suede Green interior, being supplied new
via Henlys of London. The original buff logbook shows that the first owner was a
Mr RC Fox of Bristol and it then had three further owners (the second being
Jaguar historian and collector Philip Porter of the XK Club) before our vendor’s
late-husband acquired it way back in 1979.
It
comes with a truly vast history file extending right back to the 1960s which
would take many hours to digest. It seems that the car has never been restored
as such, just treated to meticulous upkeep and servicing throughout its life. We
are told that it attended various Jaguar club events during the current
ownership, winning a trophy or two along the way, including Best in Class at the
Jaguar XK 50th Anniversary Meeting in 1998.
There are over 30 old tax discs and over 20 old MOTs which show
that the car has been in constant light use, the mileage rising from 54,609 in
1977 to today’s total of 74,327 miles. In 2014 it was converted to front disc
brakes, a desirable if costly upgrade which transforms the driving
experience. An uprated aluminium radiator has also been fitted at some
point.
When our vendor’s husband passed away in
2019, she decided to honour his love for the car by sending it to CMC of
Bridgnorth with instructions to bring it up to showroom condition following a
period in storage. This ultimately cost over £50,000 and included: a full
repaint in the original Pastel Green; complete rebuild of the original Moss
gearbox; new clutch kit; carbs rebuilt; full brake system overhaul with new
servo and master cylinder; steering and suspension overhauled; new engine
mountings; five new Pirelli Cinturato tyres; full service plus much else
besides, all detailed in copious invoices on file.
During the refurbishment CMC commented
on the originality of the car and the good state of preservation,
stating that it drove beautifully on an extended test drive with lively
performance and “probably the best Moss gearbox we have ever driven”. In a
letter dated June 2021, they also stated that in view of its originality,
condition and extensive history, it should be insured for at least
£80,000.
This expertly refurbished and matching numbers UK
supplied XK140 has been starting promptly and running sweetly as we have moved
it around on site, with good 40psi oil pressure. One of the nicest examples we
have seen, it is on offer here at a very attractive guide price. Bid vigorously
now and it could be you who drives it home!
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]