Vehicle Description
Following the success of the XK120 was the XK140. Continuing with
many of the same styling cues of its predecessor, Jaguar offered
customers a rolling chassis that independent coachbuilders then
outfitted. Building upon Giovanni Savonuzzi?s three Supersonic
XK120 designs, Ghia applied the same eye-catching styling to the
XK140, with this very car being the first of just four created. The
Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate shows that the car was
manufactured on 25 January 1955 as a left-hand drive chassis
without bodywork. The car was sent to Delecroix, Paris, France
where it was purchased by the wealthy industrialist Hans Altweg of
Lyon, France, specifically to rebody the car with custom coachwork.
Bearing almost no resemblance to the original Jaguar design, the
Ghia body featured a new one-piece wraparound windshield, revised
side glass design, modernized single piece body design without
large sweeping fenders, wide grille, and totally redesigned hood.
Once Ghia completed its work, the striking aluminum body resulted
in substantial 100-kilogram weight savings, compared to its
original steel body. The car was ready to be shown at the 1955
Paris Motor Show in October. Following this showing, it was
involved in a minor front-end accident, and the grille was reshaped
before it was shown in August 1956 at the Cannes Concours
d?Elegance. Noted by Anders Ditlev Clausager in Jaguar XK 140/150
in Detail, the car was involved in a minor accident in 1959 that
resulted in the front-end styling being updated to its current
configuration, with its large grille, dual Lucas fog lights, and
additional vents being added to the front fenders. The work is
believed to have been completed by Ghia at the request of
Jean-Louis Berthelot-Mariat of Lyon, France with the express
interest of enhancing the car?s capabilities on rallies and hill
climbs. In 1969 the car was acquired by noted collector, Jaguar
historian, founder, and former President of the Jaguar Drivers Club
of France, Roland Urban. Under his direction, the engine was
upgraded with a 3.8-liter unit equipped with triple Weber
carburetors. Later improvements included a D-Type cylinder head and
Dunlop disc brakes. This increase in power paired beautifully with
the lightweight coachwork to make it a fierce competitorduring the
numerous outings it was used on, even winning a race at Monza
according to prior research. After seeing regular use through 1979,
the car was placed into storage, remaining there until it was
purchased by the current owner in 2021. Offered as a fascinating
piece of Jaguar history, this XK 140 Ghia Coupe offers a compelling
opportunity for any Jaguar enthusiast to resurrect an intriguing
coachbuilt Jaguar with racing pedigree. Coachwork by Carrozzeria
GhiaChassis No. 810827DNEngine No. NE1365-8 The first of four cars
bodied in period by Carrozzeria Ghia Equipped with an upgraded
3.8-liter engine with a D-Type cylinder head and Dunlop disc brakes
Previously owned by Jaguar historian Roland Urban, the founder and
former President of the Jaguar Drivers Club of France Offered with
period photography and a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate Price
$267,500
