Vehicle Description
If you watch the market, you've probably noted that Jaguar XKs are
one of the hottest cars of any type. But did you ever stop to
wonder why? Well, one drive of this fully restored 1957 Jaguar
XK140 fixed-head coupe will clear everything up for you. They're
valuable because they're just as fantastic to drive (especially at
higher speeds) as they are to look at.
The XK140 was a slight evolution of the 120 and for many
enthusiasts, it's the best blend of dramatic styling and comfort.
For my money, the coupe might just be the prettiest of the three
body styles, offering the awesome long nose, short deck look and
that spectacular curving roofline that's just pure art in motion.
The dark blue paint complements it perfectly, making this car look
serious and mature, just the way a Jaguar should. Paint quality is
great, befitting a car that will be more valuable next year than it
is today, and there's no metallic in it, so it looks right on the
vintage sheetmetal. Panel fit on these cars was indifferent (they
were hand-built, after all) but during the restoration they sorted
all that out and it fits together quite nicely today. The chrome
was also restored, and while the heavier bumpers were a little less
graceful than the 120s, they're in great shape as are the waterfall
grille, twin mirrors perched out there on the front "wings" and the
beautiful spine of chrome running down the trunk lid. There's
simply no angle from which this car doesn't look spectacular.
Jaguar interiors have long been the source of envy, with a
wonderful blend of old world craftsmanship and materials with
sporting design. The XK140 coupe is no different, with handsome
gray leather buckets that merge to form a kind of bench seat that
makes it feel spacious inside. A wood-rimmed steering wheel remains
adjustable for reach and the gauges are arrayed in a lovely chunk
of real burled walnut, not some veneer. Traditional Smiths gauges
are big and easy to read, although the rest of the controls are
somewhat random and as a Jaguar owner you'll expect it. There's
more wood and leather on the doors, a few touches of chrome, and
yes, that's a rather rare automatic transmission shifter on the
steering column, a real revolution for Jaguars. The restoration of
this interior was completed by skilled hands using all of the top
material, and it certainly shows. The coupe also offers a bit of
space behind the seat for gear or really little people, as well as
a nicely-appointed trunk for touring.
The 3.4 liter DOHC inline-6 is legendary for its flexibility and
howling performance, and while it's muted and polished here, you
can still tell that there's a thoroughbred waiting to run. This is
not the car's original engine, but it is a correct XK140 MC-spec
engine (call us for all the serial numbers) that makes a rather
substantial 210 horsepower. It barks to life and settles into a
decent idle thanks to a pair of side-draft carburetors and the red
painted valley between the cam lobes adds some flash to all the
aluminum under the hood. You'll also note a modern alternator
replaces the original Lucas generator, a Pertronix ignition system
lights it up, and there's a new radiator and fan up front. The
automatic transmission is a Borg-Warner unit that was used in a
myriad of cars in the US and it's a good match, with quick reflexes
and proper gear spacing to let the six stay in the fat part of its
power curve. The dual exhaust sounds spectacular and nobody can
argue with the gorgeous chrome wire wheels and 6.00-16 wide
whitewall tires.
Documented with a Heritage Certificate and accompanied by
maintenance records and receipts dating back to the 1970s, this is
a fully restored and fantastic Jaguar that you can drive and enjoy
while it appreciates. Call today!