Beschreibung
We are delighted to offer this incredibly special car onto the market. RXJ 400 is a true collector’s piece and is one of the 73 UK RHD Home Market XK140 OTS models ever built. Further to that, this beautiful example is without doubt one of the most original examples in existence having never required dismantling and fully rebuilding, and has had just three owners from new, coming with an incredibly well documented history, still retaining its original engine, original colours, brown ‘buff’ logbook, and if that isn’t impressive enough, this rare car is a special equipment model with S chassis prefix and S engine suffix, fitted with a C Type head, wire wheels and spot lamps.
RXJ 400 was manufactured on the 24th August 1955, finished in Red with Biscuit trim and Black soft top. The car was supplied new by Henlys of Manchester and registered on the 3rd September 1955 to its first owner Mr James Dening, a former apprentice motor mechanic in the 1920's and later an aircraft engineer and was part of Sir Frank Whittle's team to develop the jet engine, and stayed with Rolls Royce until his retirement. With his practical training as a highly skilled engineer, he maintained the car himself and wrapped the entire chassis in Denso tape to protect it. Over 60 years later, the tape is still in place and has protected the chassis, ensuring it has never required any work in its entire life.
In 1966 due to failing eyesight, Mr Dening sold the XK to a friend, a Mr Hugh Clifford, a garage owner who raced motorcycles, sports racers and vintage cars for four decades from the 1950's. The cars second owner also carried out his own maintenance and he kept a detailed log of the work, together with dates and mileages – this unrepeatable paperwork is still with the car today. There is no doubt the car has benefitted from its highly skilled expert mechanic/ engineer owners, but also because they were both skilled and sympathetic drivers. Hugh Clifford, like its first owner believed in conservation, and the results are this magnificent original car. The most major work carried out with its second owner was a 1990's full re-paint in its original colour (engine bay still retains original factory paint), a re-trimmed hood and sidescreens, and some sensible period mods.
In 2000 the XK sold to its third owner, a true Jaguar enthusiast and former Chairman of one of the Jaguar Driver's Club Registers. One of this first jobs was to cut out some small sections of the Denso tape to reveal areas of the chassis that can only be described as ‘as new' factory condition. Over the past 22 years the XK140 has been enjoyed on rallies and events to include touring Jersey, Scotland, France, Germany and several times Ireland. Also throughout ownership the XK has been superbly kept up too and improved, with major work to include a full engine rebuild by Les Trafford Competition Engines in 2006, and at this time a 140/ 150 overdrive gearbox as installed to enhance and improve the car for long distance touring. Further improvements for reliability and touring include front brake discs, high torque stater motor, complete re-wire, automatically controlled electric cooling fan and stainless steel exhaust. In 2007 the interior was completely re-trimmed to include hood, sidescreens and tonneau and bumpers and other bright work have been re-chromed. Receipts total £33, 000 since 2000 to include a high level of specialist maintenance and upkeep.
This car has impressive provenance that is matched by its beautiful condition, and first class mechanical condition and drivability. The body is first class and completely straight, the chassis untouched and the general paintwork and chrome is of a lovely standard. The interior 15 years on since re-trim is delightful, and the engine bay incredibly original and very clean. On the road RXJ 400 does not disappoint, since changing hands in 2000 its covered around 30, 000 miles of touring and performs perfectly with excellent power delivery and impressive oil pressure. The car rides wonderfully, the brakes are sharp and the overdrive gearbox and clutch a delight to use. The XK140 has long distance touring pedigree and it feels that way, offering comfortable, reliable long distance touring. This has to be one of finest, most original examples of the 73 UK cars left, it's a wonderful find and will not disappoint.
