• Year of manufacture 
    1954
  • Car type 
    Convertible / Roadster
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Restored
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Interior type 
    Leather
  • Number of doors 
    2
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    Netherlands
  • Exterior colour 
    Grey
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd

Description

1955 JAGUAR XK 140 DROPHEAD COUPE

- Finished today in its original factory colors
- Complete with Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate
- Impressively restored with impressive restoration pictures
- Well maintained over the years and fully serviced in May 2020
- Last ownership of twenty-three years
- Retains its original matching-numbers engine
- Recently the subject of an extensive service
- Upgraded with a 5 speed gearbox and the original gearbox is coming with the car
- The Jaguar is accompanied by an impressive history file, photographic records of the restoration, previous registration and title documents, a tool kit, jack and owners handbook
- Many enthusiasts consider the XK 140 the pinnacle of the XK series of Jaguars, offering a combination of XK 120 style with the comfort and usability of the later XK 150

The XK 140 was launched at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1954.

It was essentially a re-engineered XK 120 intended specifically for the North American market, a market becoming increasingly more important to Jaguar.

Nearly 90 percent of all models were sold with left-hand drive and exported stateside during the model run from 1954–1957.

All three body styles of the 120 were retained with styling similar to its forerunner, but most important was a roomier cockpit.
Jaguar moved the bulkhead three inches forward, affording more legroom for tall drivers. The dashboard was raised an inch to give extra room beneath the steering wheel, and roadsters were given an extra three inches of seat travel.

These changes combined to make the XK 140 cockpit a more pleasing driving environment for American drivers.

Lucas J700 headlamps, different front turn indicators and rear taillights, number plate mountings, and for the first time, a boot lid handle, would subtly change the exterior appearance over the XK 120.

Badging proclaimed Jaguar’s Le Mans wins, and the chrome strip that ran down the bonnet continued on the boot lid, which, like the bonnet and doors, would be skinned in aluminum.

An improved cooling system with an eight-blade fan, rack and pinion steering, sturdier bumpers, and a single 12-volt battery replaced the twin 6-volt units that lived under the bonnet (rather than behind the seats).

Many enthusiasts consider the XK 140 the pinnacle of the XK series of Jaguars, offering a combination of XK 120 style with the comfort and usability of the later XK 150.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE

This early production XK140 Drophead Coupé was supplied at the 22nd of December 1954 to Max Hoffman Inc, the ending Jaguar dealer in the USA.

Finished in Pearl Grey with Red interior, it would have been one of the first in America.

History is known for the last 50 years, when in 1970 it was bought by H.E.Selick of New Jersey, USA, with Registration Plate 5490931.

In 1997 the XK140 was shipped to the Netherlands, the Dutch owner, Mr. van Hussen of Culemborg retained the car for the next Twenty-Three years until 2020.

In 1997/1998 the Jaguar was the subject of a complete restoration by Noble House, the appointed Aston Martin Lagonda Heritage Dealer for the Netherlands. The restoration of the XK meet the highest standards of the company.

The cost for restoration at the time amounting to 152.000,- Dutch Guilder with Noble House and an additional 8.000,- with sub-contractors, for a total equivalent to Euro 76.000,- (approximately 110.000,- today).

In May 2020 the car underwent thorough an extensive service, by the Project Workshop in Bicester, including:

Full 5.000 Mile service including grease and oil check
Fit and balance a set of new Blockley radial tyres
Strip front and rear brakes, clean friction surfaces
Fit new brake cylinders to front and rear
Strip lower front suspensions and fit 8 new lower control bushings
Fix track rod end boots in place
Remove fuel tank sender and replace gasket
Replace and fit rear part of exhaust
Detail underside of chassis

Fully matching numbers, and finished in its original factory colours, this beautifully well restored XK140 DHC has some sensible upgrades including a Guy Broad 5 speed gearbox for long distance cruising.

The Jaguar is accompanied by a history file, photographic records of the restoration, previous registration and title documents, a tool kit, Tonneau cover and the Owners Handbook.

CONDITION EXTERIOR
This iconic sports car is beautifully presented with period-correct Pearl Grey paintwork over a rich Red leather interior.

The Pearl Grey paintwork suits the sensuous curves of the body extremely nice.
The paint is beautiful without any damages or signs of use and has a beautiful deep shine.

The body of the Jaguar is extremely nice. The body has beautiful lines and is very straight.

It is clearly visible that the Jaguar is very well restored and since the restoration kept by an enthusiast / collector.

The chrome is in as new condition.

The windows and glasses are all nice even as the soft top which is in a beautiful condition.

CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior is equally nice. The leather on the seats is excellent and shows a almost no signs of use. The dark Red leather seats fit the exterior color extremely well.

The entire interior has been period correct restored and has been restored with with the correct materials. The result is outstanding.

The wood is beautifully restored as well and has a beautiful shine.

Inside the cabin everything is clean, neat and tidy. The interior is in excellent condition all round, as is the dash, steering wheel, instruments and controls.

All switches and instruments are in a perfect condition and have been all checked on functionality.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE
This XK140 is well sorted throughout and ready to be enjoyed by its next owner due to the very recent big service which has been carried out.

The XK 140 is considered by many enthusiasts to be the most exciting period for international road racing.

Many enthusiasts consider the XK 140 the pinnacle of the XK series of Jaguars, offering a combination of XK 120 style with the comfort and usability of the later XK 150

This car, is an ideal choice for either a casual Sunday drive or for its original purpose, spirited touring.

Actually it is not strange why so many Jaguar XK’s have been sold. In comparison with other cars like a Mercedes or even an Aston Martin, these cars are driving impressively well and can really be used on a daily base certainly with the desirable upgrade of the 5 speed gearbox which is fitted on this car.

For more information or an appointment, please call Rutger Houtkamp+31625098150 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone during evenings or in the weekend.

The Houtkamp Collection is centrally located near Amsterdam and only 10 minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The Houtkamp Collection is not able to guarantee the correctness and/or the exhaustiveness of the information contained in this car description and can not accept any obligations from that.
Thank you for your cooperation.