21st Sep, 2011 15:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
  Lot 15
 

1956 Jaguar XK140 Drophead Coupe

Sold for £86,625

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: 90 BPF
Chassis No: 807243
Mot Expiry: March 2012

ENTERED FROM THE ERIC JACKSON COLLECTION

Launched at the 1954 Motor Show, the XK140 boasted the same bewitching styling as its forebear but allied it to a host of important mechanical improvements. Chief among these was the adoption of rack and pinion steering. Though, the fitment of telescopic shock absorbers (in place of the XK120's antiquated lever arm dampers) also had a noticeably beneficial effect on handling / roadholding. With its engine and bulkhead repositioned three inches further forward, the new model enjoyed a notably roomier cabin (the fixed and drophead coupe variants gaining occasional rear seats as a result). Available in 'standard', 'special equipment' or 'special equipment plus C-type cylinder head' guises, power and torque outputs ranged from 190bhp / 210lbft to 210bhp / 213lbft. Distinguished by its one-piece bumpers and simpler, more imposing radiator grille, the XK140 was among the fastest cars of its generation. Reputedly capable of over 130mph, it focused public consciousness on Jaguar's continued success at Le Mans (the Coventry marque winning the endurance classic in 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1957).

One of just 480 XK140 Drophead Coupes built to right-hand drive specification, this particular example - chassis number 870243 - was first registered on 10th August 1956. Although, its early history is unclear an accompanying continuation green logbook reveals that the Jaguar had passed to Andrew Ball of Greenfield, Oldham by May 1977. Belonging to Ray Fournier of Newcastle, Staffordshire a dozen or so years later, the 2+2-seater was given an extensive restoration by Marina Garage with help from Chris Shenton Engineering. Encompassing an engine overhaul, respray in Imperial Maroon two-pack, rewiring, brake system / suspension refurbishment and sundry rechroming etc, the rejuvenation is thought to have been carried out circa 1989-1991 (however, the relevant handwritten invoices on file are undated). Entrusted to Jackson's Coachtrimmers of Winsford, Cheshire in 1991, the Drophead Coupe had its upholstery renewed in beige leather and a black mohair hood fitted.

Fettled by marque specialist Don Law on behalf of Jeremy Wade during 1993, the XK140's next owner was Stourbridge resident Kevin Williams. As well as driving '90 BPF' on the 1994 Jaguar Tour of Switzerland, Mr Williams had Phil Kennedy of Renaissance Classic Car Co (Staffs) upgrade it with a Harvey Bailey performance handling kit, electric cooling fan, Koni adjustable shock absorbers and replacement four-speed manual plus overdrive transmission. The latter was installed in 1997 and necessitated a speedometer recalibration during which the odometer was zeroed. Acquired by noted collector Roy Hatfield in November 2001, chassis 870243 participated in a tour of South Africa the following year. Treated to five new 72-spoke wire wheels and sundry improvements during Mr Hatfield's stewardship, the Drophead Coupe has formed part of Eric Jackson's collection since February 2003.

Benefiting from a disc brake conversion not to mention the fitting of a polybush suspension kit and new wheel bearings at the hands of HRG (Sandbach) Ltd in August 2004, more recent work has seen the 2+2-seater gain new carpets and have its Halda Twinmaster examined. A rare 'home market' XK140 Drophead Coupe, '90 BPF' last changed hands for £52,000 over eight years ago but is now being offered for sale entirely without reserve.
 

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: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 21st Sep, 2011

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