Lot details

Year: 1955
Make: Jaguar
Model: XK140 Fixedhead Coupe
Registration: 834 XVH
Chassis No: 804318
Engine No: LA8069-9
Odometer: 652

• Original right hand drive UK car
• Superb condition

The XK140 was introduced in late 1954 and sold as a 1955 model. Exterior changes that distinguished it from the XK120 included more substantial front and rear bumpers with overriders and flashing turn signals (operated by a switch on the dash) above the front bumper. The grille remained the same size but became a one-piece cast unit with fewer and broader, vertical bars. The Jaguar badge was incorporated into the grille surround. A chrome trim strip ran along the centre of the bonnet and boot lid. An emblem on the boot lid contained the words 'Winner Le Mans 1951-3'. The interior was made more comfortable for taller drivers by moving the engine, firewall and dash forward to give three inches more legroom. Two six-volt batteries, one in each front wing were fitted to the Fixedhead Coupe, but Dropheads and the Open Two-Seater had a single 12-volt battery installed in the front wing on the passenger side. The XK140 was powered by the Jaguar XK engine with the special equipment modifications from the XK120, which raised the specified power by 10bhp to 190bhp at 5500rpm, as standard. The C-Type cylinder head, carried over from the XK120 catalogue, and producing 210bhp at 5750rpm, was optional equipment.

This Jaguar XK140 is an original UK right hand drive car which was manufactured on 15th July 1955 and first registered to Mr Farley of Warwickshire on 1st August 1955. This fabulous Jaguar is finished in its original factory colour scheme of Pastel Blue but now has a cream leather interior with contrasting dark blue carpets. It has only done 654 miles since undergoing a five-year, full nut and bolt rebuild from chassis up, including engine and gearbox being finished in 2020. The car being originally registered in the UK on registration number SWD 498, found its way, in the late 1970s/early 1980s, to Arizona in the USA and was owned by Cameron Johnston of Tucson, Arizona who then sold it to Alex Drapanas of Buffalo, New York in 1987 for his large collection of British sportscars and motor bikes. Upon his death in 2015, all of his collection was auctioned off and ownership passed to an English collector who imported the car back to the UK in December 2015. He then set about the total nut and bolt rebuild which took five years to finish to this very high standard that the car is still in today. Everything on the car is either rebuilt or new and that includes body, chassis and all mechanicals. During the rebuild, the owner decided to upgrade the original close ratio gearbox to a five-speed manual, to make the car more comfortable to drive on the UK roads, (original matching numbers gearbox will come with the car along with front and rear re-chromed or new bumpers and overiders and fixings if the next owner wishes to fit them). All of the interior woodwork has been re-finished to better than new and new head lining fitted. During its time in the USA, the engine was upgraded from 3.4 litre to a 3.8 litre which has been totally rebuilt. This wonderful XK140 comes with lots of bills and has cost a huge amount more to restore than indicated estimate! Consigned by James Good