Jaguar XK140 SE FHC

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Launched at the 1954 London Motor Show as the successor to the sensational XK120 which had appeared in 1948, the XK140 was broadly similar to the outgoing model yet considerably more refined with a host of mechanical improvements.

Under the bonnet, the XK140 retained Jaguar's well-proven 3.4-litre twin-cam six, which now produced 190bhp in standard trim thanks to higher-lift camshafts and revised porting - up 30bhp from the standard XK120 and now capable of 140mph, hence the name. A close-ratio gearbox enabled better use to be made of the increased performance, as did stiffer torsion bars on the front suspension and new telescopic shock absorbers to the rear. Steering was also improved with the adoption of the rack-and-pinion set up from the Le Mans-winning C-Type racer.

The superbly trimmed cabin was also notably roomier as the engine and bulkhead were now three inches further forward, a modification which also improved weight distribution and handling. External changes were limited to a wider radiator grille, rear lights incorporating flashing indicators, and larger bumpers front and rear. Three body styles were offered, fixed-head, roadster and drop-head. A total of 8,956 XK140s were made before it was replaced by the larger XK150 in 1957, of which 1,966 were left-hand drive fixed-head coupes.

This XK140 FHC Special Equipment model was originally despatched to Hornburg Jaguar of Los Angeles in 1955. The Heritage Certificate on file records it as being Pastel Blue when it was despatched overseas in April of that year. The car remains LHD, although converting these to RHD is a relatively straightforward operation.

As with so many American classics, nothing of its early life Stateside is known, its more recent history starting with the Czech restorers who bought a sound but tired car in 2000 and subjected it to a full restoration. They changed its colour to a most attractive dark red in the process, the comprehensive restoration file that comes with the car showing the full extent of the work carried out.

The current keeper bought the car directly from the restorers in 2009 and UK registered it as 403 XUR. On arrival in this country, it was handed over to leading XK experts, Twyford Moors, who de-bugged and generally improved the car. A set of new wire wheels were supplied which they stove enamelled to match the body, some re-chroming was done and a host of other minor works carried out, again detailed by invoices on file. The car was subsequently featured in Jaguar Enthusiast magazine in February 2011.

In regular use by its caring owner and driving beautifully on test, this 'matching numbers' car remains in very good overall condition inside and out, having been comprehensively restored from what was an excellent starting point - the cost of restoring a similar car now would far exceed the sensible estimate suggested.