Vehicle Description
From 1948 through 1954, the brilliant XK120 firmly established
Jaguar at the forefront of sports-car manufacturers with its
unforgettably graceful, sweeping bodylines and impressive
performance. Powered by Jaguar's all-new DOHC 'XK' inline
six-cylinder engine quietly designed and developed since wartime,
the XK120 was the world's first series-production sports car to be
equipped with such a sophisticated powerplant. Competition success
was immediate on both sides of the Atlantic, with the new 'XK'
victorious in circuit races and arduous long-distance rallies of
the era. It also propelled many young, up-and-coming to victory
lane, including Stirling Moss and America's eventual Grand Prix
World Champion, Phil Hill. Approximately 12,000 XK120s were
produced, and the sound original design could easily be improved
and updated, keeping the competition at bay. The refined XK140
arrived in late 1954 with comprehensive improvements - some derived
directly from Jaguar's racing program - that were designed to
overcome the few shortcomings of its predecessor, while maintaining
strong appeal in dealer showrooms, especially in the crucial U.S.
market. Among the numerous upgrades applied to the XK140, most
notable among them were the welcome addition of precise
rack-and-pinion steering gear, new hydraulic shock absorbers,
improved brakes, stiffer torsion bars, and upgraded engine cooling.
Greater passenger comfort and legroom were delivered by more
forward engine placement and relocation of the car's batteries.
While the basic 102-inch wheelbase remained unchanged, overall
length and width were increased, further enhancing comfort. Styling
was only subtly updated for the XK140, with the widely acclaimed
basic design cues of the XK120 thankfully left intact, save for an
updated radiator grille and additional trim. The most popular XK140
model in America remained the OTS (open two-seater), otherwise
simply known to legions of Jaguar enthusiasts as the Roadster.
According to marque experts, of the 3,350 XK140 roadsters built for
1954-1957, only 49 were sold in the British Home Market. Priced in
the USA from $3,745, the cars continued to provide Jaguar's
characteristically excellent performance and startling value for
the money, consistent with Jaguar founder William (later Sir
William) Lyons' proven "Grace, pace, and space" maxim. While the
XK140 was already a potent performer in standard 3.4-liter, 190
horsepower guise, the ultimate version was the XK140SE, with the
suffix denoting the "Special Equipment" option. Also known as the
XK140M "Modified," this uprated XK140 delivered even greater
performance with 210 brake horsepower on tap at 5,750 rpm, thanks
to the addition of the high-performance straight-port C-Type
cylinder head. Bearing chassis number S810477, with the "S" prefix
confirming it as an original high-performance SE model, this Jaguar
XK140 left Jaguar's famed Browns Lane workshops mid-way through
1955 model year. An original left-hand drive Export model, this
XK140 came equipped with the desirable 'MC' high-performance
package consisting of the high-flow C-Type cylinder head, dual
exhaust system, Dunlop "knock-off" chrome wire wheels, and Lucas
driving lights. Most likely delivered new to the United States, the
desirably equipped Jaguar was acquired by the former owner, a
Nevada-based collector, during the early 2000s. Selective
restoration as required under the prior ownership included cosmetic
and mechanical refurbishment, including a refinish in Carmen Red
over a tidy black leather interior. Other highlights include a
black soft top, period Lucas driving lights, correct Smiths
instruments, chrome wire wheels, and period-correct Dunlop Road
Speed 5 tires. The MC style twin exhaust system was also recently
renewed in stainless steel. Chrome and brightwork are in good
order, and the car displays a light overall patina and broken-in
character that encourages regular driving. The 'XK' DOHC inline
6-cylinder engine block is confirmed to bear matching numbers to
the car, while the cylinder head is a correct replacement C-Type
unit with properly polished cam covers. A Jaguar Daimler Heritage
Certificate is included, confirming the original numbering and
vehicle details. As offered, this top-specification XK140SE is a
compelling and enjoyable example that will provide a great mount
for spirited weekend drives or to prepare for a wide array of
desirable long-distance rallies and touring events. Offers welcome
and trades considered For additional details please view this
listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7377-1955-jaguar-xk140-mc-roadster/
