1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster

Jaguar cars launched the XK140 at the London Motor Show in October 1954 with a raft of improvements over its predecessor, the XK 120. The styling was enhanced with a revised grill and larger bumpers along with new rear lights, which now incorporated the indicators. The handling was improved by rack and pinion steering and telescopic dampers and the interior space was enlarged to allow the addition of occasional rear seats.This coupé was now a real tourer with plenty of power from the 3.4litre, twin overhead camshaft, straight-six engine, which had powered Jaguar to victory at Le Mans in '51 and '53 (as proudly displayed on the red enamel badge in the centre of the boot). Coupled with the Moss close ratio gearbox, it made the XK140 one of the fastest and most stylish modes of transport available at the time.

This particular example is a 1956 left-hand drive, XK140 Roadster and was first delivered to Jaguar Cars, New York on the 14th December of that year, finished originally in Carmen Red with Black Leather. The car spent most of its life in the USA before being carefully selected and brought to the UK by our vendor in 2014.

A matching numbers example, it has clearly been well maintained and much loved and unlike many cars from the United States, it has accumulated an ample history file with invoices dating back to the 1960s!

Amongst these records are details of 453 UYK's substantial restoration, which took place over numerous years a short while prior to coming to the UK. This restoration was carefully and tastefully undertaken with the only substantial change to the cars originality being a colour change from its previous bright Carmen Red to the much more attractive colour of Jaguar Dark Green, and with the steel wheels also painted in this colour and enhanced by chrome Rim Embellishers and Hub Caps, this 140 has a wonderful 'period' look. The engine bay looks very, very good as does the boot interior which is complete with a set of period tools attached to the underside of the spare wheel cover. The interior looks in excellent shape with the seats appearing to have been recently restored and the black door cards, dashboard, and carpets are as you would hope. There is a small copper plaque, attached to the dashboard behind the passenger grab handle, declaring this Jaguar to have been a factory 'Replica' of the car used at Jabbeke in Belgium which achieved a speed of 141.5mph, but we cannot warrant this.

Since its arrival in the UK, the car has been subject to further finishing touches and re-commissioning work to ensure it is in superb all-round condition. This included a full refurb of the front suspension and the brake system along with the fitment of a new fuel tank. The car has also benefitted from a new tonneau cover along with the previously new side screens modified to ensure a really good fit with the hood.

A most admirable car presented with an excellent history file and in similarly fabulous condition. A true all round great of the Jaguar marque, equally at home as an elegant continental tourer or on twisty country lanes.