1956 Jaguar XK140 3.4 FHC

Stylish Fifties Fixed Head Coupé from long-term ownership

An original, UK-supplied, matching numbers, right-hand drive car

Owned by our vendor's family for 43 years and maintained by them

Major mechanical work in 2006 followed by a respray in 2007. Photographs with the car

Recent new tank and exhaust

Jaguar Cars launched the XK140 at the London Motor Show in October 1954 with a raft of improvements over its predecessor, the 'landmark' XK 120. Introduced as a replacement, the XK140 was more powerful and, rather than being an uncompromised sports car, was a much more comfortable and capable long distance machine. The styling was enhanced with a revised grille and larger bumpers along with new rear lights, which now incorporated the indicators. The handling was improved by rack and pinion steering (from the C-Type) and telescopic dampers, whilst the interior space was enlarged to allow the addition of occasional rear seats. The new car was powered by the well-tried Jaguar XK 3.4-litre twin-cam six-cylinder engine with 'Special Equipment' modifications from the XK120, which raised the output by 10bhp to 190bhp, and the C-Type cylinder head was an option producing 210bhp.

Offered here is a Jaguar XK140 FHC that has been in long-term family ownership since 1975 when it was purchased by our vendor's father. As a competent engineer, he embarked on a comprehensive restoration of the Jaguar and subsequent maintenance thereafter. The Heritage Certificate from Jaguar Cars Ltd. Browns Lane (October 1993) confirms that it left the production line on 17th July 1956 and was despatched to Henlys of London in its original colour of Suede Green with a matching green leather interior. The history file contains a comprehensive account of the initial restoration and the subsequent work leading up to the car's repaint in 2007. A series of invoices dated 2006 from Paul Roach Jaguar detail a significant amount of mechanical work carried out prior to stripping the car and preparing it for a fresh coat of paint. The respray in Old English White was carried out to a very high standard by the Bury St. Edmunds Paintshop and the quality of the finish still impresses today.There is a good photographic record of this restoration in the file. More recently the care and maintenance of this venerable Jaguar have been entrusted to well-respected automotive engineers Abbott Racing and in January of this year, the XK was fitted with a new fuel tank and exhaust system. The car generally presents really well in gleaming white with silver wires and with sound mechanics is very usable, however, a little cosmetic detailing here and there could turn it into something special.

With the growth in value of classic Jaguars over the last fifteen years generating an increasing number of disposals it's now rare to have long-term ownership cars come to the market and this lovely Coupé certainly fits the bill. A stylish fifties Jaguar awaiting her next owner.