2009-03-28 07:45:12 | Herve writes:

First XK 140 chassis bodied by Ghia-Torino.

It was first displaid at the Paris Motor Show in 1955 and delivered to his first owner: Mr Altweg, French tycoon known for his taste in beautiful cars.

810827 was crashed in 1959 and returned to Torino. When being repaired the front end was *modernised* (sort of Aston Martin front look with a french-fries cutter grill).

It has been raced all over Europe during many years. In the early 70s, Roland Urban raced the car at hill-climbs (see *The Metamorphosis of the jaguar*, ISBN 2-86911-137-1, pp 177, 178).

2011-07-31 16:50:17 | pauls writes:

Seen at Silverstone 7/11
Entered by Belgian owner, Bruno Beysons.

2021-09-30 08:07:57 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 10/21

www.bonhams.com/auctions/26997/lot/48/

Auction description:

The Zoute Sale

Lot 48

The 1956 Paris Motor Show 1955 Jaguar XK 140 Coupé

Coachwork by Carrozzeria Ghia, Torino Chassis no. 810827DN

€ 200,000 - 300,000 US$ 230,000 - 350,000

• One of only four Ghia-bodied XK140s with unique coachwork

• Formerly the property of respected Jaguar historian and historic racer Roland Urban

• Raced throughout the 1970s

Although it had one of the best sports car chassis available, and unquestionably one of the best engines, the XK140 was already looking somewhat dated by the time it arrived in 1954. The XK140 had inherited its body essentially unchanged in overall appearance from that the preceding XK120, which had been designed by Jaguar's boss, William (later Sir William) Lyons in 1948. Eclectic by nature, Lyons was well aware of the best European designs and their influence is clear enough in the XK120. But that was six years old by the time of the XK140's introduction and the world had moved on. Jaguar was happy to sell the XK140 in rolling chassis form for bodying by independent coachbuilders, and a number of its more wealthy clients went down that route in order to avail themselves of the very latest in modern automotive styling.

Jaguar supplied eleven XK140s in rolling chassis form for bodying by independents, among the most celebrated being the four bodied by Carrozzeria Ghia of Turin, which had already completed three XK120s, these being the famous 'Supersonic' cars designed by Giovanni Savonuzzi. All four of Ghia's XK140s were closed coupés of broadly similar design. They were completed on chassis numbers S810827DN', 'S814937DN', '814942', and 'S815404'.

These four XK140 bodies were constructed entirely of aluminium, as was common practice with hand-built 'one-offs', resulting in a reduction in weight of 100kg (220lb) when compared with the steel-bodied production cars. The first to be built was the car offered here, '810827DN', which had been purchased second-hand by Mr Hans Altweg, a wealthy Lyonnaise industrialist, with the express purpose of having a bespoke body constructed for it. Mr Altweg had bought the car from Royal Elysées (Charles Delacroix) on 12th December 1955 (bill of sale copy on file). The XK was immediately dispatched to Ghia in Turin, from whence it returned in time to be displayed at the Paris Salon in October 1956 (photographs on file). Before then, in August 1956, Mr and Mrs Altweg had displayed the Ghia-bodied XK140 at the concours d'élégance in Cannes. Photographs on file show differences in the shape of the front grille, which is believed to have been altered by Ghia between the two events.

In his definitive work on the marque, Jaguar XK140/150 in Detail, Anders Ditlev Clausager has this to say about '810827DN': "After it had been in an accident in 1959, the front end was 'modernised', supposedly by Ghia, and air vents were added to the front wings, but it still kept the air intake on the bonnet, and the same registration mark ('7434 AN 69')."

It is believed that the modifications were carried at the behest of Jean-Louis Berthelot-Mariat of Lyons, who is listed as owner on the accompanying French Carte Grise issued on 17th July 1969. It is understood the Mr Berthelot-Mariat wanted to make the car more suitable for rallies and hill climbs.

Eventually the XK140 passed into the private collection belonging to the noted French Jaguar historian, and founder and former President of the Jaguar Drivers Club of France, the late Roland Urban. Mr Urban was always fascinated by special or unusual Jaguars, their coachbuilders in particular, hence his desire to own this Ghia-bodied XK140.

Roland Urban bought the car in 1969 and installed a 3.8-litre Jaguar XK engine fitted with triple twin-choke Weber carburettors. For the next decade he participated in many historic rallies and races driving the Jaguar. The combination of low weight (the body is aluminium) and the powerful 3.8-litre engine made the XK140 very competitive, and Roland Urban even won races at fast circuits like Monza, beating a Ferrari 250 TDF on one occasion! He used the Jaguar almost daily for many years before storing it in his garage where it has remained since 1979. At some time the car was reregistered as '4254 MT 75', and there are photographs on file of it in competition carrying this and the earlier registration. In 1976 the car was featured on the front cover of XK Bulletin, described as "now fitted with disc brakes and 'D' head with triple Webers".

Offered in need of total restoration with a 3.8 litre MK IX engine block currently fitted, this unique Ghia-bodied XK140 has a fascinating history and represents a wonderful opportunity for the dedicated Jaguar enthusiast to enhance their collection.

2025-04-10 20:43:45 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 5/25:

www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/ve25_r018/1955-jaguar-xk-140-ghia-coupe

Auction description:

1955 Jaguar XK 140 Ghia Coupe

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Auction 2025

Estimate:€200.000 - €300.000

Chassis No. 810827DN

Engine No. NE1365-8

The Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate shows that the car was manufactured on 25 January 1955 as a left-hand drive chassis without bodywork. The car was sent to Delecroix, Paris, France where it was purchased by the wealthy industrialist Hans Altweg of Lyon, France, specifically to rebody the car with custom coachwork. Baring almost no resemblance of the original Jaguar design, the Ghia body featured a new one-piece wrap around windshield, revised side glass design, modernized single piece body design without large sweeping fenders, wide grille, and totally redesigned hood. Once Ghia completed its work, the striking aluminum body resulted in substantial 100-kilogram weight savings, compared to its original steel body. The car was ready to be shown at the 1955 Paris Motor Show in October. Following this showing, it was involved in a minor front-end accident, and the grille was reshaped before it was shown in August 1956 at the Cannes Concours d'Elegance.

Noted by Anders Ditlev Clausager in Jaguar XK 140/150 in Detail, the car was involved in a minor accident in 1959 that resulted in the front-end styling being updated to its current configuration, with its large grille, dual Lucas fog lights, and additional vents being added to the front fenders. The work is believed to have been completed by Ghia at the request of Jean-Louis Berthelot-Mariat of Lyon, France with the express interest of enhancing the car's capabilities on rallies and hill climbs.