Highlights

Beautiful Pastel Blue paintwork with tan roof and chocolate leather
Extensively maintained since vendor acquired the car in 2006
Full engine rebuild by specialist Chase Engines in 2019 costing over £7,500
Fully rewired by marque specialist CMC
Brake work by Guy Broad in 2021 totalling over £3,000
Purchased from the late Jeremy Wade, a renowned Jaguar specialist
Used regularly for trips to Europe
Recently fully serviced and described as ready to drive

The Appeal

The enthusiast vendor of this remarkable Pastel Blue XK140 has a personal association with this car. He tells us that on a March day in 1955, as he was cycling to school nearby, the car was rolling off the Browns Lane line ready for its first keeper in April of that year. It’s fair to say he has subsequently maintained it with the sort of reverence that this story would require.

The XK140 was built in the ‘export or die’ era, which explains why just 480 drop head coupes were built in RHD. This one is car number 50, produced in 1955. The JDHT certificate confirms that the Pastel Blue paintwork is factory-correct. The tan roof and chocolate leather appear to be later alterations, but ones that suit the car and now carry a gentle patina of character. The eagle-eyed will note the unusual vents on either side of the radiator grille; they are similar to those on the Le Mans racing coupe PWT846 and may have been added to aid touring in hot European weather.

Since buying the car, the vendor has used it regularly for trips to France and maintained it to a high standard. The history file shows a raft of expensive invoices from key marque specialists like Guy Broad and Chase Engines. Notable work includes a full rewire by CMC, brake work in 2021 by Guy Broad and a full engine rebuild costing over £7,500 by Chase in 2019.

It arrives on the market fully serviced and, we're told, ready to be driven and enjoyed by its next custodian. For those seeking a usable 1950s Jaguar sports car with long-term single ownership, this XK140 DHC warrants close attention.

“‘On the button’ condition, all fully serviced and ready to go.

“I have driven it a lot in the past, including to my then holiday flat in France. It is a joy to drive, cruising on a motorway at 70, returning mid to high 20s mpg.”

History and Paperwork

Factory built in March 1955
First registered 12th April 1955
Six registered keepers from new
Vendor says 2 previous owners were thought to be uncle and nephew and owned the car for 36 years from 1966 between them.
Current keeper since September 2006
Extensively driven during the current ownership, including trips to France
V5C
Factory handbooks
Various emails as shown
Summary of JDHT certificate details and list of maintenance 2007 to 2019
Handwritten notes covering maintenance in 2019
VIN number 807057DN
Engine rebuild in 2019 by Chase Engines with invoice for £7,576 as shown
Guy Broad brake work totalling over £3,000 in 2021 as shown in photos
XK Gazette magazine article detailing car’s history and maintenance

The Condition

Factory correct Pastel Blue paintwork in very good condition
Paintwork shows a few very minor signs of use typical of an older car and restoration
Bodywork in very good order and remains factory correct including rear spats
Bodywork lightly modified with unusual and attractive front vents to aid cooling
Car sits on factory correct steel wheels in Pastel Blue with chrome hub caps
Fitted with vintage-style Michelin tyres
Exterior chromework presents very well in photos
Underside as shown in photos
Tan fabric roof in good order with some slight wear to note in photos
Matching tonneau included
Chocolate brown leather interior is lightly patinated and in good general order
Veneers present well with light age but not unsightly
Factory four spoke steering wheel

The Mechanics

3,442cc straight-six XK engine
4spd Moss manual gearbox with optional factory overdrive
Fully serviced and described by the vendor as ready to go
Reported to cruise comfortably at 70 mph on the motorway
Returns mid to high 20s mpg according to the vendor
Very well maintained including full engine rebuild in 2019
Further invoices for brakes and other work shown in photos
Reported to have been rewired by CMC since vendor acquired car

BEFORE YOU BUY

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