2022-02-07 12:26:35 | pauls writes:

Car was at auction 2/22
burnsandcoauctions.com.au/portfolio/1955-jaguar-xk140-coupe/

Auction description:
1955 Jaguar XK140 Coupe
Transmission: Manual
Engine Type: 6 Cylinder
VIN/Chassis: 804259
Engine Number: G4144-7
Build Date: 27/06/1955
Odometer Reading: 00045 Miles Showing

Better than new!
Factory RHD Australian delivered car
1 of only 839 RHD fixed head coupes made worldwide.

Purchased new in 1955 by a doctor in Orange, NSW from Brysons in Sydney

This fine example of an Australian delivered XK140 Jaguar has gone through an extremely thorough restoration. Every facet of this Jaguar has been restored to better than new condition.
The exterior is finished in a beautiful red tone complementing the biscuit leather interior with contrasting piping. The interior components are all finished with correct original materials. The exquisite timber work has been painstakingly restored as has the gauges with a handmade African mahogany steering wheel connecting driver to the road.
The classic new wire wheels expose the upgraded power assisted Jaguar disc brakes making this car the perfect driving experience. The original matching numbers engine now feeds a new five speed gearbox which turns the restored original rear end.
Air conditioning has been discretely fitted under the dash and the original radio and optional valve driven amplifier also reside in their original locations. A new wiring loom now feeds all the electrical components driven by an alternator for modern reliability.
These cars are renowned for their iconic shape and this car with its arrow straight body lines and magnificently restored bright work is no exception. With an extensive photo library of the restoration process the quality of this vehicle is undeniable, making it a must for any serious car collection.
The XK140 currently shows 45 miles on the odometer since its completion.
Purchased new in 1955 by a doctor in Orange, NSW from Brysons in Sydney

Chassis completed on 27 June 1995 and despatched on 13 July 1955 to Brysons, Sydney, arriving on the Port Montreal in August. On 22 August 1955 there was a pre-delivery paint work done. Sold on 9 September 1955 to Jaguar dealer H. Lapham & Sons of 61 Anson Street, Orange, in country NSW, for £1,851/15/-, which we take to have been a trade sale.
A name also in Brysons records was that of Dr Rodda, and we take it that he was in fact the first private owner, buying the car through Laphams. Searches indicate that this would have been Dr Frank Neil Rodd (1890-1974) who was born in London, UK, and had come to Australia from London at the age of 25 years in 1916. He then served in World War 1 in the Australian Army Medical Corps, and lived in Orange from at least the 1930’s. He appears to have been a radiographer. The car was polished so frequently by its first owner that the paint eventually rubbed through. In the early 1960’s he sold the car to Dick Hives of Orange. Our researchers indicate this is likely to have been Norman Richard Hives (1894-1965), described in earlier records as a “Biographer Operator” – reference to an early form of film projection apparatus – and later as a “projectionist”. Around 1965, the car was sold to Max Connelly of Orange. He moved to Summer Hill in Sydney and thereafter spent some time overseas, where the car was stored in a carport, deteriorating somewhat during this period. In about January 1971, he sold it to Gregory M Church of Rushcutters Bay, the car needing attention in the interests of reliability, and in August 1971 it was on sold to Ian Cameron McIver then of the northern Sydney beach suburb of Mona Vale. He described its body and trim at the time as “shabby” and its mechanics as “sound”. He used the car until July 1972 when the registration expired, and then took it off the road for a planned slow restoration. In December 1990 it was advertised for sale in Unique Cars magazine, confirming it had last been road registered in 1972, had recorded 82,000 miles, and was still driveable. In April 2008, it was again advertised for sale, this time on eBay in Australia (with McIvers’ XK120 DHC 667210), the seller and the cars all then in Nowra on the NSW south coast. The description then included “extremely original”, with original trim apart from the carpet and door trim, and with its spats. It was said to have a straight body with “very little rust”, although the fuel tank had rusted out, and to be “complete in every detail”.
On 10 May 2008 it was bought sight unseen via the eBay auction by Brian Nixon of Melbourne, and he trailered the car back there. What turned out to be a lengthy full-scale restoration was eventually undertaken from about 2010on, including mechanical work done by JagDaim of Carrum Downs, body work by Auto Bling of Braeside in Melbourne, and body and paint by Andrews Auto Restorations of Braeside, where the car was from about 2012 onwards. By mid-2018 the car had been painted and the engine had just run for the first time. Completion of the restoration was expected within the next few months. Some of the modifications were made, in particular fitting of a five-speed gearbox, four wheel disc brakes, new chromed wire wheels, alternator – and an air-conditioning system to cope with he Queensland weather, the owner having moved to that State to live Maleny in the Sunshine Coast area in about 2015. By February 2021 the car was certainly finished with a recorded mileage of just 00,028 miles) when it was offered for sale online by a private seller said to be in Victoria, inviting offers around a price well above that achieved for any car of its model in Australia. The owner was now said to be Brian Simmons. The car looked very smart, finished in a deep Maroon, with cream leather piped red and cream carpets.