• Year of manufacture 
    1955
  • Car type 
    Convertible / Roadster
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Restored
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Grey
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

Constructed on 29th November 1955, this XK140 SE roadster was built to left hand drive specification destined for the Hornburg Jaguar distributor of Los Angeles, USA

Finished in Birch Grey coachwork with red trim and black hood in ‘SE’ specification with the potent ‘C Type’ cylinder head

Owned in period by Leeta Eunez McGonagill Morrissey from Memphis, who worked for Reed’s Manufacturing, the Malco Theatres and Woolworth Department Stores. Through her work with the Malco Theatres, she enjoyed a close association with Elvis Presley, providing private movie showing for Elvis and his close friends. She starred as an extra in the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” She was a member of the Out Door Baptist Church. Her son confirmed that they would often be invited back to Graceland afterwards!

The car was later imported to Holland in 1999 where it remained for 18 years (in storage) until the current UK based enthusiast owner acquired the Jaguar in 2017, in partially restored and disassembled condition

Once the XK140 had arrived in the UK, the vendor commissioned a comprehensive restoration to bring the car to a high level of presentation and excellent driving condition

The matching numbers engine was totally rebuilt and renowned Sigma Engineering (Peter Lander) supplied a nitrided crankshaft, balanced and hardened with new bearings, rear main seal and upgraded oil pump. New pistons, rebore, valves & guides were fitted to original C-Type head, cam bearings, timing chains & tensioners, new core plugs and new gaskets throughout.

The original Moss gearbox was rebuilt/checked with a new clutch fitted and the prop shaft and rear axle were rebuilt. The cooling system was upgraded with a high efficient aluminium radiator fitted with new cooling hoses throughout. The Engine block was cleaned and treated with new core plugs, the heater matrix also cleaned and pressure checked. A new automatic Revotech thermostat was fitted to enable engine to run cool in all weather conditions

The rare and much coveted original H8 2” C-Type sandcast carburettors were fully rebuilt, new fuel lines were installed throughout, new SU fuel pump, petrol tank cleaned and pressure tested with new sender fitted.

The chassis was shock blasted, alignment checked, rust proofed and repainted. New GAZ adjustable shock absorbers were fitted as were new rear leaf springs/shackles. All front suspension was polybushed

The original rack & pinion steering bearings were replaced, rebuilt and professionally converted to RHD including handbrake being moved to correct position. New brake hoses and copper pipes were fitted throughout, uprated front brakes to ZEUS callipers and disks. The rear drum brakes were relined and rebuilt to standard and pedal box components professionally transferred to RHD

The electrical system was restored with a new Jaguar supplied harness, new alternator (Negative earth), high torque starter motor, CSI electronic ignition system (Denis Welch Ltd) and automatic fan and Revotech thermostat. All the instruments were overhauled or replaced as necessary. The battery was relocated to the boot for ease of access and an electrical cut off installed for safety and security

The virtually rust free body was found to be in excellent condition and all panels were original. The body was removed from the chassis, bead blasted, rust proofed, primed and painted in the Jaguar colour of Birch Grey as stated on the Jaguar Heritage Certificate. During the process the bonnet and dashboard were attended to by Aubrey Finburg (C-Type aluminium specialists) to louvre the bonnet and correct dashboard to RHD

All the original fixings were re-chromed throughout & new safety glass fitted to windscreen. The interior was professionally retrimmed to original specification and colour identified on the Heritage Certificate including a new black mohair hood and tonneau. Five new black wheels were supplied by Motor Wheel Services and new Blockley tubeless radial tyres fitted to original specification

The XK140 is UK registered with a period correct number, a recent MOT certificate included, USA licence, NOVA document and Heritage Certificate confirming the cars correct and original speficiation. Extensive invoices and photographs document the restoration

An excellent and well restored example in correct original specification with some beneficial modern enhancements to make the car safe in modern traffic, this glorious XK could be your 2019 ticket to the many historic events which this car is eligible for

Photo Credit Tim Scott