Jaguar XK 140 OTS
Car-ID: XT0096
Vehicle Description
On 1 June 1956, this Jaguar XK 140 was dispatched to Jaguar Cars in New York, USA. In 1972 the car found its way back to Europe, and for the past 44 years, it has remained in possession of the same aristocratic owner, one of the great men of historic motor sports, who drove it regularly, favourable weather conditions permitting, until autumn last year. The open two seater has been regularly serviced by the same garage throughout those 44 years. The Jaguar is a non matching numbers vehicle, it presents itself today in a very authentic condition with just the right degree of patina. As you would expect from a car owned by a true connoisseur, the Jaguar is mechanically sound and a real pleasure to behold. It has valid technical approval until 06/2017 and historic plates. In the early 1970s, Jaguar disc brakes have been fitted for a better braking performance. Underneath the characteristic rounded bonnet, the 3.4 litre in-line 6 cylinder engine with dual SU carburettors is installed, which produces 140 kW (190 hp) and sends drive to the Jag’s “hind legs” by means of a 4-speed manual gearbox with electrically actuated overdrive. Thus the roadster has effectively got five gears, a rarity at its time. A second Jaguar gearbox can be supplied with the car. An electric fan has been fitted to prevent the valuable engine from overheating. The XK 140 runs on beautiful spoke wheels and features additional high beam front lights. A recent Classic Data appraisal estimates the value of this Jaguar in condition 2 at € 150,000.
Jaguar’s first sports car after WWII, the XK 120, was presented at the 1948 Earls Court Motor Exhibition in London. It was equipped with a brand-new and indeed very modern twin-overhead-camshaft engine. Sir William Lyons’ impressive styling went down extremely well and orders for the XK 120 just flooded in. Aided by the fact that the sports car was offered at a very competitive price, it became a huge success, not only on the home market, but especially in the US. A fixed head coupé variant was added in 1951, and a drophead coupé followed in 1953.
In 1954, Jaguar modified the sports car and re-launched it as Jaguar XK 140. Compared to its predecessor, the new car offered a roomier interior, improved suspension and brakes as well as rack and pinion steering. The 3.4 litre 6-cylinder engines was taken over trom the XK 120, it now delivered 142 kW (190 hp), or 157 kW (213 hp) with the optional C-Type cylinder head. An automatic transmission option became available. The choice of three different body styles – roadster or open two seater, drophead coupé and fixed head coupé – remained unchanged.
The XK 140 stayed in production for only three years before being replaced by the XK 150.
