Vehicle Description
5920 1955 Jaguar XK 140 M OTS 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 XK 140
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, earning consistently high
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. Finishef
in the correct original Carmen red iapplied 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.