Description
Approaching our 17th year buying cars we like, tinkering with them and selling them to people we like you would expect that we would have seen some outstanding cars sold through our efforts. Over that time we have enjoyed going on for 200 XK sales and you would think we might not get excited when new XK’s come our way. However that is not the case. We continue to love all XK’s and this particular car is right up there with our favourite cars to bring to market.
Each has its own character and represents the leaping cat in its own charming way. Such is the case here as we present this quite fabulous XK140 fixed head couple bringing it to market for the first time in over 20 years.
What do we like about this car? Presented in black with discs wheels and spats the exterior profile is extraordinarily elegant and imposing. The contrasting chrome adorning the shapely features like jewellery highlighting the shape and providing gleaming contrast to the original paint dating back to 1955. The doors are heavy by composition but not in operation. The hinges are not worn as many are of this vintage. They provide a light and accurate open and shut with no fuss or slamming required. The cabin is also elegant and original. The dashboard presents perfectly with unmarked veneers and the correct dials working as they should providing driver and passengers with all the information required to complete a short or very long journey in style and with comfort, grace and pace provide by that iconic 3442 straight six, twin camshaft Jaguar engine. The only cabin variance being a stylish bank of 6 auxiliary switches to operate modest and subtle engineering upgrades and a radio.
This XK140 first registered to Dudley Layton of Norwich on the 2nd of April 1955 as highlighted by the accompanying original buff logbook. The same logbook goes on to highlight a change of owner some 5 years later to Mr Ian Hopper of Kings Lynn, sold the car a further 8 years later to Jonathan Moore of March. Mr Moore sold the car in 1995 with 62000 miles on the clock and a letter on file confirms this to be the correct mileage for the car. The car arrived in the most recent owners small collection in 2006 with 68838 miles on the clock. A full engine and gearbox overhaul undertaken by respected Twyford Moors at 68839 . Following these major engineering events the car has continued to be very well maintained yearly for many years up to the arrival of COVID when usage and maintenance largely ceased. The history file for this car records a life of service to just 6 owners who have all reciprocated with caring maintenance to this quite remarkable car. To my eye the paint is as original and there is no record of structural or major paint work to the car. The mileage is correct by the records on the history file at 75986 as I write but there will be more miles on the car as we prepare the car for the new owner.
Having stood for many years we carefully awoke this beautiful cat from its long slumber and the car will be prepared for sale to a new owner with all the care and attention the car deserves. We have to date replaced the fuel, changed the batteries and carefully fired up the car and she runs sweetly keeping 60lb oil pressure hot which is as you would expect of an engine that has been rebuilt less than a thousand miles.
So what is this lovely car like to drive? Firstly it fires into life easily with choke provided by a manual switch mounted in a bank of 6 such switches below the radio centre dash. Wait a few seconds and turn the choke off to manage the car through to a driving temperature with throttle only. Engage first gear and the easy to manage clutch picks up the non synchro 1st gear in typical Moss box noisy style. Quickly into 2nd indeed the 1st gear is hardly necessary with the torque on tap. Now we are into driving mode and the engine is free revving and very responsive as the car snicks through the gears with ease and no small amount of pleasure. So much power on tap is only useful if the car will allow you to manage it. The 140 rack and pinion steering was a significant upgrade on the 120 and gives confidence to the driver with the accuracy needed to pick up the pace as required. There is an original marketing booklet on file which chronicles the XK120 journey into the 140 and details the 190bhp – 210bhp on tap. On the road you can feel ample horsepower to keep up with road traffic with ease. The brakes need a service as I write but they do work. The car has its original drum brakes all around and it may be that discs to the front will be required to give the new owner confidence that the car will stop as well as it goes. Back in 1955 these brakes were as good as anybody else’s. Not so today and keeping up with a modern car is only successful if you can stop as a modern car does! The gearbox is the original Moss 4 speed. It has been overhauled and works as it should. I am reluctant to recommend a 5 speed upgrade but if you intend to use the car everyday then it might be a consideration.
From the drivers seat the car is just pleasure after pleasure. I have driven hundreds of XK’s and campaigned a 140fhc on the Monte Carlo Rally. So, I know these cars well. This is a delightful car to drive. The seats and trim are as original and have a gorgeous patina that a restored car can never give. Not worn or torn but gently mellowed. Roof lining is original and everything works correctly. At speed point the car into corners and it obeys then push the throttle and the car powers through corners with a hint of drift. Tyres are excellent Vredestein Classic perfect for the job. These cars are multipurpose sports cars that are capable on long journeys or trips around town. Keen followers of Octane magazine will read the monthly chronicles of Robert Coucher who uses his XK140fhc as his everyday driver. This car could easily become and everyday classic. It is that good.
You will find cheaper cars but my experience tells me you get what you pay for in the classic car world. Very very rarely do you get a genuine ‘bargain’ and you are not getting one here. What you are getting is a well documented well maintained highly original car. They are only original once is oft said. Such is the case here. An original, very well cared for matching numbers car that can be cosseted and shown as an original car or used regularly or even everyday with due preparation.
Which ever this is a pretty unique and highly desirable XK140 fixed head coupe and I commend it to the discerning classic driver and collector
£69995
