For Sale: 1957 Jaguar XK140 in Saugatuck, Michigan

1957 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed-Head Coupe - Frame-Off Restoration - 40-Year Ownership - Documented "SE" Spec
Contact Us By Call or Text Anytime!! Chicago Car Club - 312-420-3696

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This 1957 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed-Head Coupe is an exceptional example of British automotive design, freshly rescued from a long-term storage unit in Massachusetts. Boasting over 40 years of single-family stewardship, the car was acquired directly from the estate of its long-term owner via his wife, who had been gifted the vehicle prior to his passing in 2021. The odometer currently shows 85,641 miles, which we believe to be the original mileage from new.

Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust (JDHT) Certificate Decoding

Chassis Number (A 815906): Genuine Left-Hand Drive Fixed-Head Coupe (FHC). The "A" prefix indicates a factory Special Equipment (SE) model.

Engine Number (G 9565-8): Original factory block designation (a period-correct replacement block is currently installed, topped with a high-performance C-Type head).

Body Number (J 6744): Factory original body number (100% matching numbers to the physical body tag).

Gearbox Number (JL 35849 CR): Factory original close-ratio 4-speed manual gearbox (100% matching numbers to the physical transmission).

Original Colors: Factory delivered in Lavender Grey paint with a Suede Green interior.

History & Build Dates: Built on November 15, 1956, and dispatched on January 2, 1957, to the original US distributor, Jaguar Cars in New York. The Heritage Certificate explicitly confirms this as a genuine Special Equipment (SE) model-historically known in the US as the "M" specification-outfitted with factory wire wheels and dual exhaust.

Restoration & Body Condition
The vehicle is the recipient of an extensive, older frame-off restoration executed on the East Coast to the tune of $80,000 at the time. It was beautifully reimagined during the process in its current rich red over a tan/biscuit leather cabin. The body is remarkably clean, straight, and completely rust-free, showing no evidence of major collision or rust repair. The paintwork was executed to a very high professional standard, entirely free of overspray, and currently exhibits a deep, mirror-like shine that required only a light hand polish to bring back to life. While the car stands very tall, we do note a small ding on the hood, a minor paint crack along the hood's centerline protrusion, a few light chips from age, and a hairline crack in the driver's side windshield glass.

Powertrain & Safe Start-Up
The vehicle retains its original numbers-matching body (J6744) and its original numbers-matching JL close-ratio 4-speed manual gearbox (JL35849CR). Under the hood sits a professionally built, period-correct 3.4L twin-cam inline-six. While this is a replacement block, it is equipped with the highly desirable "C-Type" high-performance cylinder head, which delivers substantial power and a beautifully raspy exhaust note. Because the car had been sitting in long-term storage, we took every precaution before starting it for the first time; we soaked the cylinders with Marvel Mystery Oil and replaced the old oil to ensure a completely safe startup. Combined with the fact that the previous owner stored it correctly by draining the fuel system and running the carburetors dry, the engine fired right up for us and runs completely smoke-free. It starts effortlessly from a cold turn, holds a smooth, quiet idle, and revs without hesitation. While no receipts are present for the engine build, the original numbers-matching engine block is accounted for, and a possibility exists for the next owner to purchase it separately from the previous owner's estate.

Interior & Mechanical Functionality
The interior is in excellent condition, reflecting the thoroughness of the frame-off restoration. It features plush carpeting, correct mohair accents, tight and taut headlining, a gorgeous wood dashboard, and all proper factory trim pieces. All lights, hazards, and wipers function correctly, and the cabin has been prepped for an audio system complete with speakers and an amplifier. On the road, the close-ratio gearbox shifts smoothly and the tight, quiet suspension behaves exactly as a premium vintage grand tourer should. The car stops straight with a smooth brake pedal, though the older tires are dry and must be replaced before any regular road use. The gauges show great oil pressure and proper operating temperatures; however, the tachometer is currently inoperable due to a broken inner cable, and while the speedometer gear works, a piece of loose internal plastic trim inside the housing currently blocks the needle from sweeping past 10 mph.

This highly optioned, well-preserved XK140 SE perfectly balances an illustrious, documented factory pedigree with the turn-key usability of a well-sorted older restoration. It is an honest, solid classic that is ready for the next chapter of its storied history.

Contact Us By Call or Text Anytime!! Chicago Car Club - 312-420-3696

PLEASE BE SURE TO WATCH OUR DETAILED YOUTUBE VIDEO! Visit our website for even more high-resolution photos!