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ball steering was replaced by a rack and pinion system, suspension travel was increased and the lever arm rear dampers superseded by more modern telescopic units.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.
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