∙Original XK140 body shell
∙Left-hand-drive
∙Presents in a solid condition

The period following the Second World War wasn’t an easy one for car manufacturers and the debut of the all-new Jaguar XK120 at the London Motor Show in 1948 caused quite a stir. A scant three years after the end of hostilities Jaguar had launched a car with modern styling and a brand new engine which would go on to be produced for over 40 years. It immediately made the SS 100 that Jaguar had produced in the pre-war period look exceedingly old hat.

Available in three body styles – Roadster, Drop Head Coupe and Fixed Head Coupe – the XK120 was an instant success and would go on to break several speed records as well as having a successful competition career. It wasn’t perfect though and in order to counteract some criticisms of the car a revised model was launched in late 1954 – the XK140.

Visually similar to the XK120 there were nonetheless some important changes made. Externally the most obvious upgrades were the adoption of more substantial bumpers front and rear while the addition of front indicator lenses was a new departure, too. The three body styles remained but the XK140 would only have a short production run – effectively from 1955 to 1957 – before it was replaced by the XK150.

Where the XK120 had always been a little tight for taller drivers the XK140 was more accommodating thanks to the car’s bulkhead being moved forward by three-inches to provide more legroom. Further changes included the addition of rack and pinion steering, the fitment of better brakes and the suspension was altered to accommodate more modern telescopic shock absorbers.

The example we have here today is not a complete car – far from it – but if you’re looking for a good Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupe body shell then you’re in the right place. The shell here dates from 1956 and was bought by the current owner at the RM Auctions Duemila Ruote sale in 2016.

At the time the owner was embarking on the restoration of an XK140 Drophead Coupe and it was thought that this Fixed Head example could provide plenty of donor parts for the restoration. However, closer examination demonstrated that detail differences between the two models would not make this an easy task so the XK140 body shell was put into dry storage where it has remained ever since. 

Sadly there is no history to accompany the bodyshell bar the invoice from RM Auctions for its purchase back in 1986.

Despite its layers of dust from long term storage the XK140’s shell appears to be in fine fettle with very little in the way of dents or rippling to any panels – even the shut lines still look pretty good.

The shell retains the majority of its glass although the windscreen is missing but the brightwork around the windows is still present (bar the windscreen surround) but it is quite pitted in places, as are the rear bumpers and the trademark Jaguar grille.

Overall it appears to be in a very solid condition having been stored in dry conditions. From what we could see the chassis rails appear to be in a decent shape too, and no doubt the shell would make an excellent basis for a restoration. 

Less than 3000 XK140 Fixed Head Coupes were built so finding a body shell in good condition is a rare find. No doubt it would be an excellent starting point for the restoration of one of these desirable 1950s coupes.

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