1955 Jaguar XK140 Sports

Lot details
Registration No: PAS 188
Chassis No: S814618
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

Jaguar's XK story is the stuff of legend. Once upon a time there was the prototype XK120. Initially a test-bed 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 manufacture. 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 forty-four 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ball steering was replaced by a rack and pinion system, suspension travel was increased and the lever arm rear dampers superseded by more modern telescopic units.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 three inches 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 H8 SU 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 accelerate to 60mph in under 9 seconds and rapidly onto 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.

The Jaguar being sold started life as a 1955 XK140 Fixed head Coupe, but underwent a transformation during the 1990s when it was repatriated from the USA and re-engineered in the style of a Roadster by a race car engineer. The trusty XK engine was thoroughly overhauled and mated to an all synchromesh four-speed Jaguar gearbox, complete with overdrive. The brakes were uprated with Coopercraft four-pot callipers and discs on the front, and two-pot callipers and discs at the rear, plus a balance bar. The Jaguar was treated to replacement painted wire wheels shod with Dunlop RS5 tyres, and the original radiator, fuel and header tanks were replaced with aluminium examples. The doors and boot are also aluminium, as is the bonnet which has been louvered, and the plumbing and wiring were renewed throughout.

'PAS 188' was completely stripped to bare metal during the restoration and repainted in Ecosse Blue and trimmed in Red leather. The finishing touches include a leather bonnet strap, racing roundels on the doors and aero screens in place of the full width windscreen. A very nicely presented road going XK140 in the style of a bygone racer.