1955 Jaguar XK140 DHC

Retired electrical engineer Paul sourced and imported this originally left-hand drive XK140 from the United States back in 2012. “I’d been searching for one for a couple of years and got in touch with a chap out there who locates vehicles for people. This example was found on peanut farm just outside Los Angeles, on a coastal road to San Francisco.

“The car had sat since October 1977 and when I stripped it, I filled a dustbin full of peanut shells that rats had stowed aboard it. The body didn’t require a lot of work, just one or two panels replacing underneath, which I had done professionally by two chaps who used to work for specialist Leaping Cats, but that had set up on their own”.

Paul restored the chassis himself (see the Mechanical section below, to get an understanding of the exceptional standard this was carried out to), as well as most of the mechanical components and running gear, while the body was sent for dipping and E-coating before being returned for painting. 

“I fitted a five-speed Guy Broad gearbox, whilst Ken Jenkins rebuilt the engine. In came E-Type S2 disc brakes and calipers - 3-pot at the front, 2-pot at the rear, with a servo, for improved stopping power. A Vicarage power steering kit – interestingly, based on an early LHD XJ6 steering rack turned upside down – made the car much easier to park. The all-alloy gearbox, with gear sets made by Cosworth Engineering, is beautiful – so quiet and easy to use”.

The car was, of course, converted to RHD with top specialist GB Trimming of Nuneaton completed the interior restoration. A bespoke stainless steel exhaust system - including the headers on the engine - came via Classic Fabs up in Scotland. “They are one of the best in the business; it sounds very nice – not too loud. It has a lovely burbling sound; they got it just right”.

Paul estimates the cost - including purchase of the car - of the three-year restoration, and not withstanding his time, at circa £80k. “This was my 4th Jaguar restoration and the result is the absolute best that I could do. No expense was spared and I made slight, subtle improvements where I could to make the XK a little better”.

Since completion he has used the car sparingly completing around 4500 miles, taking it to shows and spiriting his wife off for a few days in the summertime. “It’s taken me 18 months to decide to sell. I’m 70 next year and recently retired. We’re downsizing and I need to cut my cloth accordingly; that said, I won’t be too sad if it doesn’t go!”

Perfection. 

Oh, you need more detail?

Apologies, as you can see from the photos in our Gallery below, it is one immaculate big cat and presents beautifully in its alluring original colour scheme. 

Brightwork, paintwork, badges, glass, wire wheels - up-rated stainless-steel items, all superb. It wears period Pirelli tyres, albeit radials and not crossplies. Headlights look standard but were upgraded to Halogen units. 

Over to our tame engineer: “I tried to use stainless steel everywhere, apart from the suspension. The door hinges were shot and worn out, so I sourced some new ones, modified them by making new stainless-steel pins and fitting bronze bushes, and drilled a grease nipple on top so they could be lubricated. This is something that’s hidden behind the trim but that I wanted to do. The bonnet hinges are similar. They tend to rattle, so I fitted special plastic bushes for a more precise fit.

“One door had filler in it and both were bashed. They were also very heavy, so I had new one-piece alloy doors made with new ash frames; they’re much lighter and close wonderfully. Leaping Cats had them fabricated by a chap who makes alloy panels for old Rolls-Royces – they were done to original patterns”.

As we intimated earlier, the attention to detail on this car is of the highest order. 

We’re only halfway through this listing and already our adjective bin is emptying rather quickly. What to say of the cabin? 

I think magnificent will do. 

As Paul stated, the ladies and gents at GB Trimming did an incredible job. Perfect wood veneers, alluring two-tone bucket seats, magnificent carpets… I could go on.

If we’re being critical there’s a small mark on the headlining on the n/s top corner by the rear screen and one or two small marks on a door-card, but that definitely is us being uber picky. 

A discreet SatNav system and digital radio has been incorporated, as has a Thatcham Category 1 alarm. 

With a quick polish the engine bay would be concours standard; it’s that good. This car’s XK powerplant is a beautiful sight, whilst the remaining components present in similarly high condition. It’s pretty much toothbrush clean with a high level of attention to detail. 

The underside is as clean as it’s possible to get without the restoration having been recently completed. Paul’s attention to detail was, and remains, first class. 

He had the chassis and all suspension/steering components blasted, galvanised and powder-coated in a matching Pastel Blue colour. At any classic car show the underside itself would be just as deserving as the exterior of being placed on display. 

Wonderful.

“I fitted slightly up-rated rear springs and adjustable shock absorbers all round. The engine had a comprehensive and meticulous rebuild to standard specification, although I had the flywheel lightened and balanced. An up-rated diaphragm clutch plate also replaced the old spring-based version, so it’s very smooth.

Wonderful.

Included in the XK140’s history file is a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate - Production Record Trace Certificate Number 35606, issued on 2th March 2012, which indicates the following:

• Make & Model: Jaguar XK140 SE 
• Body style: Drophead coupe, left-hand drive
• Date of manufacture: 11 July 1955
• Chassis Number: S 817640
• Engine number: Originally: G 4367-8S
• Body number: Originally: P3874
• Gearbox number: Originally: OSL 3579 B
• Transmission: Manual
• Exterior paint colour: Pastel Blue
• Interior trim colour: Dark Blue with Light Blue piping
• Hood (soft top) colour: Blue
• Original distributor: Hornburg, Los Angeles, California
• Original dealer: Not recorded
• Date of Despatch: 10th August 1955
• First owner: not recorded 
• Registration mark: not recorded 

Also present is the vehicle’s V5c registration document, which shows its date of first UK registration as 1st April 2013 and notes that the car has had one owner since then.

There are also instructions for the Vicarage power steering system and LaserLine car alarm system, as well as an invoice - for £344.00 from Autalarm Vehicle Security, 13/08/2014 - for fitment of the latter.

A State of Maine Vehicle Registration document is present, as are the original Jaguar Price List, XK140 model guide, Advance Particulars of the new Jaguar XK140 Models and Operating, Maintenance and Service handbooks. 

A couple of pics of the Jaguar pre-restoration are included, as is a recent online vehicle check. Finally, the car comes with two sets of keys - including two alarm security fobs. 

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this car has been restored to a scintillating standard and then maintained beautifully. 

This is an absolutely stunning Jaguar XK140. 

An older restoration, it still presents in scintillating fashion and drives beautifully. Subtle improvements by engineer Paul have ensured a car more usable than the original on a day-to-day basis, whilst those appreciative of his background will also take delight in the attention to detail to be found on this car. 

As stated in the Vehicle Story section above, it comes with its ’34 DHC’ registration included in the sale. “The DVLA assigned the car a random registration, so I spent the time searching for something more appropriate; it’s perfect for the car, so will be staying with it”.

Given that, we think this scintillating and hugely desirable big cat will realise between £95,000 and £115,000. 

Paul stated to us that he: “gets much greater restoration out of restoring and seeing the result, than I actually do from driving them”. The next owner will benefit not only from that outlook, but also from the precision applied to the process. “If someone who knows something about XKs views it, then I am confident they will see the level it’s been done to”.

So are we.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this car is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ, United Kingdom; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.