2015-08-20 16:28:36 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:
classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 0
Estimate £20,000 - £30,000
Description Jaguar XK140 SE Coupe
Registration N/A
Year 1955
Colour Black
Engine size 3,442 cc
Chassis No. S814552DN
Engine No. G4426-8S
Documents Heritage Certificate; US Certificate of Title

As its accompanying Heritage Certificate confirms, this particular XK140 was manufactured in July 1955 and despatched to Hoffman of New York the following month. Originally Pastel Blue with a red interior and manual overdrive gearbox, it is an SE model (Special Equipment), with the C-Type head and twin exhausts which boosted power to 210bhp. It still retains its original chassis and engine making it a 'matching numbers' machine.

Not much is known of the subsequent history of the car but a US Certificate of Title shows that by 1982 it was owned by one Craig Harper of Nashville, Tennessee. Imported back to the UK in October 1989 with all duties paid, it was shortly afterwards acquired by the vendor from RWHS Jaguars of Market Drayton at which point it was still in driveable condition with good oil pressure. Driven into a garage at the back of the vendor's hardware shop in Wolverhampton, the car was started and moved occasionally to keep everything free but was never taken on the road.

As the years went by the shop was extended, blocking access to the garage, and when the vendor retired about three years ago a crane had to be hired to lift the Jaguar out of its resting place and over the roof of the shop to get it onto a transporter. The vendor remembers the whole episode in vivid detail as he was unfortunate enough to break his leg when the cradle used to hoist the car fell off the transporter and knocked him to the ground - ouch...

During its 23-year hibernation no work was ever done to the car which remains almost exactly as purchased although, sadly, vandals broke into the garage many years ago and stole a few minor items including the radio, the Jaguar steering wheel boss, the gear knob and the tell-tale lights from the tops of the front wings. Otherwise complete and with an engine that still turns easily, the car is being offered here as a straightforward restoration project.

2015-09-14 00:23:33 | pauls writes:

Lot number 122

2016-04-05 21:32:36 | pauls writes:

Car now offered at:
bringatrailer.com/listing/1955-jaguar-xk-140-se-coupe/

Sellers description:
Lot #1047
Location: Porto, Portugal
Chassis: S814552DN
Engine: G4426-8S
210 HP Special Equipment (SE) package
Numbers matching
Engine turns over easily by hand
Private Party or Dealer: Private Party

This 1955 Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupe is a left hand drive example that was sold new in the US, imported to the UK in 1989, and moved to Portugal last year. The included Jaguar Heritage Certificate verifies that it is a numbers matching SE with the original engine, C-type head, and gearbox. This XK140 is equipped with the 210HP Special Equipment (SE) performance package that included a Type C head, 2″ SU carburetors, dual exhaust, and heavier torsion bars. The car has not run in many years and has rust in the body, but looks to be a worthy restoration candidate.

It was in drivable condition when imported to the UK but was then stored unused in a hardware shop for over 20 years. During that time an expansion blocked off access to the garage and the car eventually had to be removed with a crane.

Originally pastel blue, the car currently wears black paint that has flaked off in a number of areas. The indicator lights on the tops of the fenders were stolen but the exterior is otherwise complete. The bumpers and wire wheels are intact but need to be rechromed. The bodywork looks relatively straight with only minor dents. Serious rust can be seen in various areas of the chassis, though the full extent of the damage won't be known until the car is disassembled and stripped. A complete restoration is recommended. The interior is largely intact other than the radio, shift knob, and horn button which were stolen while the car was in storage. Originally red, the seats and door cards were redone in tan sometime in the past. They show some wear but appear to be largely intact. The original numbers-matching 3.4L inline six is complete and retains its original Type C high performance head. The engine turns freely, though no recent attempt has been made to start it. The engine bay appears to be largely original, though with significant cosmetic wear. The original overdrive gearbox is still installed. Copies of US titles from a previous owner are included with the sale and may help with the import process for a US buyer. European VAT has been paid, so exporting to a Eurozone country won't incur any additional taxes. Buyers in Portugal will need to pay additional Portuguese license plate taxes to register it for road use. The XK series are some of the most iconic Jaguars and the seller hopes this one will go to a seller who can restore it to its former glory.

2016-06-16 04:04:33 | pauls writes:

BAT listing ended On 3/9/16 not sold.

2023-06-22 08:43:02 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 7/23

www.bonhams.com/auction/27997/preview-lot/5722297/1955-jaguar-xk140-se-coupe-cha ...

Auction description:

Goodwood Festival of Speed / 1955 Jaguar XK140 SE Coupé Registration no. 315 XVJ Chassis no. S814552DN Engine no. G4426-8S

Lot 243

£90,000 - £120,000

• Desirable SE model

• Delivered new to the USA

• Brought back to the UK in 1989 and stored

• Professionally restored and upgraded 2017-2019 (almost £190,000 spent)

• Superb condition

One of 1,966 XK140 coupés made in left-hand drive configuration, this desirable SE model left the factory in August 1955 bound for Hoffman's in New York, USA. The car was originally finished in Pastel Blue with red interior trim and was equipped with the overdrive gearbox. Little is know of the car's history in the USA, although it was titled to one Craig Harper of Nashville, Tennessee in 1982. The XK was brought back to the UK in 1989. It then resided in a garage in the West Midlands for many years and there are photographs on file of it being craned out, normal access having been blocked by subsequent building work.

The current vendor purchased the 'barn find' Jaguar circa 2017 and commissioned renowned marque specialists Twyford Moors of Clanfield, Hampshire to undertake a full restoration. Carried out between 2017 and 2019, the rebuild cost almost £190,000. Desirable upgrades include power steering, front disc brakes, alloy radiator and header tank, alloy fuel tank, three-point seat belts, Bluetooth stereo system, and a tracker.

The XK has covered very little mileage since completion and is only offered for sale because the vendor's health issues mean he is no longer able to drive it. Presented in truly superb condition, this expertly restored and sensibly upgraded XK140 SE is offered with Heritage Certificate, a V5C registration document, and restoration bills and photographs.

2023-12-04 04:27:15 | John Elmgreen writes:

Feb 90 ad in Classic & Sportscar (UK magazine), p 208, by XK Engineering, Warwickshire UK. "Excellent".