2023-05-14 06:31:33 | pauls writes:

Car offered at:

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1956-jaguar-xk140-coupe-rhd-nMGJx8#&g ...

Seller's description:

1956 Jaguar XK140 Coupe

Colour Red

Odometer 0

Engine size 3800

Auction DetailsSeller Type Trade

Town Sydenham

Location International

Country South Africa

RHD UK supplied example that has latterly made its way to South Africa

Restored by a previous owner, commencing in 1997 and taking several years

The vendor informs us that the car runs beautifully and is fabulous to drive

The vendor informs us that the car is accompanied by a heritage certificate

Originally UK supplied

Delivered new by PJ Evans, Birmingham and the original dealer was Hewitts Garage, Stourbridge

The car later found its way to South Africa where it was restored by its owner

Restoration work apparently commenced in around 1997 and took several years

The vendor is unsure of the correct mileage as the odometer has evidently been reset

The odometer still reads 0 miles

The vendor informs us that the engine and gearbox are the original items

The Interior

Thoroughly restored to an exemplary standard

Fabulous woodwork

Very few signs of wear

This Jaguar’s interior has been retrimmed beautifully, with high quality materials and to period-correct specification. 

The leather seats are in excellent order and now starting to wear ever so slightly, producing an attractive patina as befits a classic car of this vintage. We couldn’t see any damage, excessive creasing or signs of dehydration to the leather and the vendor comments that it is all in fine order. The pale carpeting exhibits a few marks in the driver’s footwell, as one would expect from a car that’s been driven, although there’s certainly no heavy wear to report. The headlining looks in really nice shape and is correctly affixed.

The dashboard is particularly fine, with highly figured and expertly polished woodwork taking centre stage. Nestled within the centre console, which sits proud of the remaining dash fascia, we find the large and attractive Smiths instruments. The vendor assures us that everything works correctly, although we notice that the odometer still displays 0 miles.

Only light wear is evident to the controls, the switchgear presents well, apparently functioning without fault, and the interior door handles still look smart. The boot space is in really good order with nice carpeting.

The Exterior 

Attractive red paintwork

Elegant coupé styling

Chromed wire wheels

All Jaguar’s XKs looked immensely elegant and we enjoy how this XK140 presents in coupé form. There’s not a straight line in sight with that curvaceous bodywork conveying a sense of speed. It must have been quite the sight back in 1956 and this Jaguar still turns heads today.

The bodywork was evidently restored to a very good standard back in 1997 and the red paintwork has clearly been expertly applied. The vendor points out a few blemishes accrued through normal road use over the years, with a few areas of paint now showing some slight flaws. Overall, it still looks magnificent and can hold a lustrous shine without issue. 

The bodywork appears really sound and the vendor comments that the car is incredibly solid, both topside and underneath with corrosion having been rectified when it was restored. They notify us that the driver’s door is slightly misaligned which will require a little work, but otherwise the panel gaps and shut lines look to be correct so far as we could discern. New door skins were apparently fitted during the restoration, so these are in good order. 

The wire wheels present really well and add to the sporting aesthetic. The vendor assures us that the tyres are in good condition with plenty of tread remaining on each of them.

The Mechanics 

All major mechanicals reportedly original

3.8-litre straight-six XK engine

Four-speed manual gearbox

Running well and driving very nicely according to the vendor

The vendor comments that all the major mechanical components are the original items, which is great to hear. The engine presents wonderfully under the long bonnet with all the wiring and fuel lines looking very tidy indeed.

We’re informed that it starts readily, runs well and provides plenty of performance. By the time this XK140 was produced, Jaguar were starting to offer automatic gearboxes but we’re glad to report that this example retains a manual transmission. We understand that this operates smoothly and the brakes continue to work as they should.

It’s amazing to think how old this Jaguar now is, especially once you’ve experienced the performance and handling for yourself. In period, it represented the cutting edge of British engineering.