Vehicle Description
Following hot on the heels of Jaguar's seminal XK 120 was the
revised and refined XK 140. When the XK 120 first hit the streets
in 1948 it was the first proper sports car from Jaguar since the
pre-war SS100 and it became the car that truly put the marque in
the mainstream. Seemingly from nowhere, this exotic and beautiful
automobile offered astounding performance from its 160 horsepower
twin-overhead cam inline six cylinder engine, all for less than
$4,000. While the list price was not exactly cheap, it was often
far below its competitors and offered much greater performance for
the money. The standard XK 120 was followed up with "M" and "MC"
versions (Modified and Modified, C-Type head) also known as SE in
other markets. These high performance variants boosted horsepower
from the standard 160 bhp to 180 bhp and 210 bhp respectively. The
XK 120 proved popular among American servicemen who had caught the
sports car bug while serving in Europe in the early post-war years
and became a fixture of the early days of American road racing,
establishing Jaguar as a premier sports car manufacturer. Hesitant
to mess with success, Jaguar released the next generation of the XK
series in mid-1954. Now called the XK 140, the new car was quite
similar in outward appearance, though some modern refinements were
made to the body and the undercarriage. The engine was moved
forward by three inches to address complaints of cramped
accommodations of its predecessor. The standard engine was now the
190 horsepower version of the 3.4 liter inline six, with the return
of the M option (SE in other markets) and its 210 horsepower
output. Straight line performance was about the same as the XK120
thanks to a bit of added weight from the bulkier full-width bumpers
and additional trim. But the road holding had been vastly improved
thanks to the addition of rack and pinion steering, telescopic
dampers, larger brakes and additional suspension travel. These
improvements made the XK 140 more comfortable, predictable and
enjoyable to drive. As before, three body styles - a fixed head
coupe, open two-seat roadster (OTS) and drophead coupe were
available, with the OTS Roadster being the most overtly sporting of
the three. Our featured XK140 is a 1955 O.T.S. in original
M-specification, finished in Carmen red over black leather. This is
a lovely, matching numbers example that has been restored to a high
level, consistently earning 99 plus points at Jaguar Club North
America concours. The previous owner was a dedicated enthusiast who
enjoyed show preparation, and the car shows it in the excellent
detailing and presentation. Finished in the correct original Carmen
red applied over excellent bodywork with superb panel fit and
finish quality. Chrome bumpers are straight and plated to a high
standard and it wears a pair of period correct Lucas fog lamps
along with correct detailing, badges and lamps. The convertible top
of the OTS is a simple affair that hides behind the seats. The
frame is correctly painted dove gray and trimmed with black
Stayfast canvas. Restored original side-curtains are included. This
crisp, sharp XK140 rides on a set of chrome wire wheels wrapped in
blackwall bias ply tires as original. It is a lovely, striking
combination that captures the sporting essence of the XK140
beautifully. Black leather upholstery lends a sharp contrast
against the Carmen red paintwork. The cockpit rails are trimmed in
black as original, and the leather remains in very good condition,
showing just the slightest bit of creasing from use since the
restoration was completed. Seats and black carpets are excellent,
and the door panels and kick panels are upholstered in correct
materials. Instruments are restored Smiths units as original,
mounted in the central panel, trimmed in leather for the sporting
OTS rather than the more opulent wood of the drophead coupe. The
boot is correctly trimmed in Hardura and includes a tool roll with
a full complement of original tools. The legendary XK six-cylinder
engine is, in our opinion, one of the best looking power plants of
all time. The signature polished cam covers, painted cylinder head,
and polished intake and carburetors make it a piece of kinetic art.
This fine example is very well detailed, as the previous owner
enjoyed showing the car in JCNA events. Proper hardware, fittings
and labels adorn the engine and underhood accessories. The quality
restoration has been documented via an included photo album of the
process, and JCNA judging sheets show the level of detail sought by
the previous owner. This is very fine quality example in highly
desirable M-specification, and thanks to that 210 horsepower engine
and well-sorted nature, it would be a fine choice for drivers while
remaining fresh enough for a concours. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7665-1955-jaguar-xk140-m-roadster/
