Thick history file showing regular and significant ongoing maintenance
Rare and desirable - One of around 600 RHD coupes built in 1955
Race-proven 3.4litre 190bhp XK engine
Manual overdrive gearbox
High quality older bare metal respray with original interior
Just serviced including leads, plugs and fluids
£5,000 mechanical overhaul in 2015
Dry stored with limited use since 2012
The Appeal
The E Type may have pushed the point home, but it was the svelte, lithe XK models that established Jaguar’s post-war reputation for beautiful and distinctive sports cars with scintillating performance.
The XK140 was a development of the earlier XK120, offering more modern open-wheel styling and, as the name suggests, a more powerful 190bhp version of the XK straight six engine capable of 140mph. The car’s style and specification were designed to translate Jaguar’s success on the race track at Le Mans into sales in the showroom. If customers didn’t quite get the message then a badge on the boot of each XK140 gently reminded them that this was a race-winning breed.
The XK140 was only available between late 1954 and 1957 before being replaced by the XK150. This car was registered in June 1955 and factory chassis records show that it is one of around 600 1955-built fixed head coupes.
Repainted in what appears to be Old English White, a popular Jaguar colour, but with its original burgundy interior, this XK140 presents well. There is evidence of significant ongoing servicing, maintenance and improvement expenditure in its thick history file. A few small areas may be worth buyers noting, but it looks to be a solid, honest example. It has been little used over the last 10 years but has just been fully serviced, including plugs, leads and fluids, so is ready to enjoy.
Original burgundy leather interior in good, aged condition
Inertia reel three-point seatbelts fitted in 2015
Modern stereo discreetly hidden behind flap in dashboard
Some patina to dashboard wood veneers
Carpets in good condition
Door trims and wood veneer door cappings in good condition
With the XK140 Jaguar’s designers pulled out the stops. The XK120’s simple dashboard was comprehensively improved to create a panoply of wood veneer. It was clearly a complicated piece of work for any craftsman to execute but, together with the wood veneer door cappings, gave the XK140 a luxury, upmarket feel befitting of its performance and transcontinental motoring capabilities.
Stepping into this 1955 fixed head coupe you are immediately transferred back to those days. It is recognisably Jaguar as well as spacious and luxurious as a GT car should be. Jaguar’s records show that the burgundy interior on this car is correct. It appears to be original but well preserved, the leather showing signs of wear but without any cracking or discolouration. The same is true of the carpets. Both may be improved further by a professional valet to restore more of the colour. The rear seats are in good condition and a useful feature that improve the practicality and useability of the XK140 fixed head models.
The lovely wood dashboard has its complete complement of Smiths dials and gauges. The veneer is cracking and crazing in places but is not unsightly. There is a modern stereo fitted, discreetly hidden away behind a wood veneer cover.
Inertia reel seatbelts were professionally fitted to this car in 2015. IMG_9944.JPG4.77 MB
The Exterior
Resprayed in white from original Birch Grey
Older respray that has held up well but with limited, localised deterioration
Specialist classic Vredestein tyres with pretty white walls and good condition chrome wires
Chrome a mixture of original and new
Chassis appears to be in good condition
The XK140 evolved the XK120’s original swooping styling with more chromework, raised bonnet and grille and an open-wheel design where the original had spats. The work makes the car more purposeful and distinctive.
This car left the factory, according to records, painted Birch Grey, but has been professionally resprayed in what appears to be Old English White, a popular Jaguar colour. The work has held up very well and the car presents nicely. Its very limited use over the last 10 years perhaps explains why the paint remains in good condition, with none of the usual marks and stone ships typical of use. There are a small number of areas on the roof where corrosion is beginning to show through that the new buyer may wish to attend to before they worsen. There is also some bubbling around the base of the side marker plinths on the nearside wing top, which is a common weak spot on these cars.
The boot floor is another weakness on these big cars. This one looks very good and solid with no obvious deterioration.
The big, heavy doors on XK140s have a tendency to sag over time. The doors on this car look generally good, although the driver’s side does look like it would benefit from some attention to the hinges or simply rehung.
The exterior chrome is a mixture of original, with some signs of deterioration, and new. The boot chrome and badges were replaced in 2015.
The XK is of separate chassis construction so requires careful attention to the underside. The photographs of the underside of the car indicate that the chassis is in very good, solid condition with no obvious signs of deterioration. The black underseal has flaked in some places so may benefit from reapplication. The offside silencer also shows some signs of deterioration.IMG_9933.JPG3.29 MB
The Mechanics
3.4litre straight six fully 190bhp XK engine
4spd manual gearbox with overdrive
Coopercraft discs fitted in 2015
Brake overhaul in 2015
New fuel pump, master cylinder and alternator upgrade also in 2015
Gearbox partially overhauled in 2016
Regularly serviced despite limited use most recently on 2nd February 2023
One of the great advantages of classic Jaguars is that the firm didn’t make that many different models and there is a burgeoning enthusiast scene. That means there is an excellent network of specialist repairers and parts providers, many of them catering specifically for certain models.
The XK140 uses the long-lived and very durable XK motor, which remained in use on Jaguars right into the 1980s. So parts supply is very good and not particularly expensive. The 3.4litre displacement of the 140 is particularly smooth and sweet-revving.
The indicated 83,871 on this car appears to be genuine judging by old invoices and MOTs. The car has covered only a few hundred miles since its last MOT in 2012 and appears to have been dry stored as part of the Seller’s classic car collection.
The thick history file indicates that this car has received regular scheduled maintenance, with particular expense during the 1990s and within the last 10 years.
Over £5,000 was spent in 2015. That work covered a braking system overhaul – including fitting Coopercraft discs and calipers – and replacing the fuel pump, clutch master cylinder and an electronic boot lock. The original dynamo was also replaced for a more reliable alternator set up.
The gearbox was partially rebuilt in 2016 due to a selector problem. The Moss 4spd gearboxes fitted to the XK are particularly hard wearing but selector issues are a known weakness. The car is fitted with overdrive, a useful addition that makes touring more relaxing. IMG_9951.JPG4.39 MB
Summary
As E Type values have gone stratospheric, classic Jaguar enthusiasts have increasingly turned to the XK range, a model that offers improve practicality but equally distinctive, stylish lines. The XK140 represents the mid-point of the car’s evolution, providing a nice blend of the older and newer styling.
The XK Coupe represents something of a bargain compared to the drop head models, and with the practicality of decent rear seats. This car looks very presentable in white, with a nicely contrasting burgundy interior. There is a thick history file indicating significant care and attention over the years and the low mileage appears to be genuine.
There are areas for improvement, but these are mainly localised and not obviously requiring immediate attention. The XK is a distinctive, useable and rewarding drive and this one looks ready for a new owner to carrying on the enthusiasm of the previous ones.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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