Unique restmod built to Grand Touring specification by race car engineer
Assembled on a straight chassis with Jaguar 4.2 litre engine and 4 speed manual gearbox
6 Year build complete with the opportunity to set up to the new owner’s taste
The Appeal
Let’s start with a disclaimer: this is not a car for the purists. The owner is an amateur race car engineer who enjoys automotive projects and saw the potential in a poorly photographed XK140 shell that had been stripped of most of its parts.
Having inspected it, he could see that it was straight and that the metalwork needed was within his abilities and so he sat about building an XK140 that was designed for driving. He didn’t want anything too outrageous and so set his sights on a grand touring specification, but with the focus very much on usability and reliability rather than on originality.
The result, as we’re sure you’ll agree (assuming that purists have stopped reading), is quite spectacular. With a fully rebuilt Series 2 XJ6 4.2 litre straight six and a Jaguar 4 speed manual overdrive gearbox and significantly uprated brakes, it delivers on the brief admirably. Although it’s now complete, the condition of the roads of late has not allowed for road testing and final adjustment, which should allow the new owner to tweak the set up to their individual needs.
But the winning bidder is going to have an XK140 quite unlike any other and which should be capable of crossing continents in unique style. So if you want a classic Jaguar to really enjoy on the road, then get your bid in now.
Modern seats finished in heritage style Dolphin Grey leather
Bluetooth radio under the dash
Everything functioning as it should
Given that the shell came without any interior to speak of, everything in the cabin has had to be freshly sourced and the owner has taken the opportunity to install some discreet upgrades.
He’s chosen modern seats with headrests, retrimmed in a heritage style leather to ensure that they are still in keeping and there is a Bluetooth radio concealed below the dashboard. A racing style pedal box has aluminium pedals and the electric power steering can be adjusted on the dashboard.
Some things just have to be original though and so there is a genuine new wool headlining and Smiths dials repurposed from elsewhere (and hence showing a fictional mileage figure for this car) and a lovely three-spoke Moto LIta wood rimmed steering wheel. In the boot, a full size spare wheel lives below the floor and, though the new owner will need to equip it with a jack and wheel spinner hammer.qVkrn8ZuCu94nqtsY5jPfnpKF44jn1vywgiDoYcG.jpeg47.77 KB
The Exterior
Freshly painted in Ford Stealth Grey
Brand new 72 spoke center lace wire wheels with 185 x15 radial tyres
Rechromed grille
The modern colour scheme is perhaps the biggest clue to the casual onlooker that this XK140 is no ordinary beast but still shows off the curves of the beautiful design to a tee. Freshly finished, and with much of the chrome refreshed, it presents very well although as the owner was going for usability rather than concours condition, it’s very good but not so perfect that you wouldn’t want to take it out.
The wheels are a brand new bespoke build and are shod with new tyres. Underneath, on the other hand, has yet to see a dirty road so it’s still looking pristine.mDVcJhqmNZ2UPKV6JJVtHQ60NKsxoChjvIj8FssS.jpeg67.54 KB
The Mechanics
Freshly rebuilt 4.2 litre straight six using Series 2 XJ6 parts
Jaguar 4 speed manual gearbox with overdrive on 3rd and 4th
Fully rebuilt rear axle with new limited slip differential
Although not yet fully tested in anger, the fundamentals are there for this to be a riot to drive. It starts on the button and, thanks to the brand new free-flowing exhaust, sounds exactly like a classic Jaguar should. The brakes are not yet bedded in but the owner says that they already demonstrate considerable stopping power and, on the move, there are no untoward noises.
The carbs have not had a rolling road tune up but the seller reports that it pulls very well, while the gearbox changes nicely up and down the box and the overdrive works a treat. Given that it’s not yet had the final fine tuning, and the condition of the UK roads in the winter, the seller recommends that the car is collected on a trailer. Once fully up and running though, we’d expect every outing to be a memorable event.
A unique take on an XK140 that should provide the next owner with a fabulous drive and a considerably reduced maintenance overhead compared to a standard car.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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