1st Oct, 2010 14:20

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 44
 

1955 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed Head Coupe

Sold for £37,125

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: RFO 896
Chassis No: S804415DN
Mot Expiry: July 2011

Jaguar's XK story is the stuff of legend. Once upon a time there was the prototype XK120. Initially a testbed for the company's new, alloy-headed DOHC 3.4-litre, straight-six engine, it caused such a sensation at the London Motor Show of 1948 that the model was rapidly pressed into production. It immediately became the fastest production car in the world and quickly found fame in racing and rallying. The engine itself was so successful that variations of it powered Jaguar saloons and sports cars for a staggering 44 years. In 1954, the all-conquering XK120 gave way to the XK140. Visual changes included more substantial bumpers with over-riders, a one-piece radiator grille with fewer but thicker vertical slats and a chrome strip that ran up the centre of the bonnet and continued down the middle of the boot lid, where it proudly incorporated a red shield with the words 'Winner Le Mans 1951-3' inscribed in gold. The mechanical specification comprised a number of fundamental upgrades. Braking was improved, the recirculating ball steering was replaced by a rack and pinion system, suspension travel was increased and the lever arm rear dampers superseded by more modern telescopic units.

An additional 3in of legroom was achieved by moving the engine, firewall and dashboard forwards. What had been the SE options for the XK120 engine now became standard and the SE package for the XK140 comprised: the C-Type cylinder head fed by a pair of SU H8 carburettors, twin exhaust pipes and stiffer torsion bars for the front suspension. The newcomer was offered in three body styles - Roadster, Drop Head Coupe and Fixed Head Coupe. The latter featured a jump seat and additional interior space courtesy of a more forward-mounted windscreen. The XK140 was a quick car by any standards. In SE trim, it could reputedly accelerate to 60mph in under 9 seconds and rapidly on to a top speed approaching 125mph. The model remained in production until 1957 when it was replaced by the XK150 - the final iteration of the original XK line.

One of 842 right-hand drive XK140 Fixed Head Coupes produced, this particular example was manufactured on 15th September 1955. A decidedly rare home-market SE model finished in Baltic Grey, it was supplied new by Henlys of London. Despite a tantalising but wholly unsubstantiated rumour that its first owner was Le Mans winner Duncan Hamilton there is no record of the Jaguar's keepers prior to 1989, when it was acquired by Peter Zaslawska. Whilst in his care the Jaguar is understood to have enjoyed a level of refurbishment and was re-registered with its current number - 'RFO 896'. During the '90s it apparently contested a number of sprint meetings including ones at Boscombe, Dalton Barracks, Crystal Palace, Cornbury Park, Sedlescombe, Mallory Park etc. It was then acquired by Robin Hanauer in 2001 and the vendor during July 2002.

These days, the Jaguar's panels (including its alloy doors, bonnet and boot) are finished in dark blue and the car specified for high performance road / competition work rather than boulevard cruising or concours shows. The vendor tells us that the bodywork and chassis are in "good to excellent" condition but that the original headlining, dashboard and underbonnet area could now benefit from some cosmetic work. The car reportedly has many special features as follows:

1. The current engine is a triple carburettor, 3.8-litre unit built by IN Racing and is barely run in. Rolling road test results apparently show the unit to deliver up to 268bhp and 331 lb ft of torque. Concessions to competition include a special cool-air intake and box, a larger water pump, an electric fan and an aluminium expansion tank
2. Disc brakes all round - ex Jaguar
3. Uprated suspension with location bars and telescopic dampers
4. A stainless steel exhaust system
5. A lockable racing fuel filler
6. Separate bucket seats with full racing harnesses
7. A fire extinguisher

Riding on painted wire wheels, the Jaguar is described by the vendor as being in "excellent" condition with regard to its engine and paintwork, while he rates the four-speed manual plus overdrive transmission as "good". Taxed and MOT'd into July 2011, a new home is now sought for this clearly very exciting period cat.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 1st Oct, 2010

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine