2011-12-29 09:53:23 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 12/29/11
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jaguar-XK140-SE-Roadster-C-type-engine-4-speed-O-D-Excel ...
Current bid $11,300 reserve not met, 6 bids 6 days left in auction.

Sellers description:
Nice restorable and desirable Jaguar XK 140 OTS (open two seater) or Roadster model. This vehicle is the last car listed in the factory records for production in January, 1955. It is an original SE model, fitted with wire wheels, a twin exhaust system, fog lights, and originally the 190bhp engine coupled to a 4-speed overdrive gearbox. It was finished in the rare and attractive color scheme of black exterior with a red leather interior. At some time in it's life, the drive train was changed out for a desirable C-type engine with another overdrive transmission.
This original Jaguar XK is a good candidate for restoration. The body on this car overall is very good, with decently fitting panels, and nice flat sides. The front fenders on the car are very nice, straight, and smooth with no sign of ever having an accident. The hood and trunk are very nice, the doors need some typical minor stress crack welding on the inside and the hinge mount areas, being made of aluminum, but are straight. There is some small damage noted on the rear fenders where they bolt up at the bottom, and the right rear fender has a dent around the wheelarch to the rear. The lower front LH fender needs some minor repair work, but this area falls below the bumper valance line. There is some minor rust-through noted on the passenger floor area, and a little on the driver's side B-post. The driver's side dogleg area has been repaired once in it's life. All exterior body panels appear solid and rust free, although the front fender bottoms underneath need a flat inner panel replaced. This can be viewed from the photo under the car. The driver's side door hinges need repair( they are loose), but the passenger side hinges are excellent and tight. The spare tire well and trunk area appear very solid and clean. Overall, a very decent body to start with for a restoration.
The mechanicals on this car have been upgraded to the 210bhp C-type engine which is a very desirable period-correct option at that time, and the extra horsepower is still a welcome addition today. The engine currently installed has a matching #'s head and block that reads G4408-8S, and has the correct "C" stamped in the center of the head as well as the corresponding valve covers marked "Jaguar Type C". It has been loosely installed in the car, and I would assume it needs rebuilding, as I haven't tried to turn it. It probably has not run in many years. The gearbox is installed in the car, but most internals are included in a cardboard box that goes with the car. The current gearbox # reads JLE 30681. The carbs are original 13/4 inch S.U.'s. The radiator and shroud is included with the car (photo.), and the core appears to be excellent. The car has the correct rear axle, suspension, brakes, etc. The clutch pedal has been removed with it's linkage, and the steering column shaft, through the engine compartment area, has been modified. Overall, I would assume that this car would need a full mechanical rebuild, as that would be fitting for this type of restoration.
The frame and undercarriage on this car are exceptionally solid, straight and clean, and would only require straightforward restoration. All components look original.
The trim on this car needs a complete redo. It is missing the seats (which are now available new), but the bottom part of the seat tracks are still bolted to the floor. The dashboard and instruments appear correct and original to the car. There are still remnants of the original red hardura trim behind the seating area. The car still retains the original softtop frame and sidecurtain set, which are important to have.
Some chrome items are missing, which will be noted below. Most of the rest of the chrome is decent and needs replating. Both windshield glass are broken, but most likely would be replaced anyway. I have a decent front bumper bar and rear light "gooseneck", which are not pictured with the car.
Parts that are currently missing are: driveshaft, clutch pedal setup, throttle linkage from carbs to pedal bulkhead crank (I have the gas pedal and long pull-down rod), rear bumper bars and overriders, rear trunk chrome molding with badge, seat set with upper seat tracks, front overriders, rear illumination lamp, and air cleaners. Please note that all of these items are available, as most of the missing chrome items could be purchased new anyways, saving a rechroming cost.
Overall, this 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster presents a good opportunity to purchase one of these important motorcars which is part of the company's heritage. It is fitted with the exciting and desirable C-type engine with an overdrive gearbox, and produced in the rare factory color scheme of black with red trim. Car is sold with a recent, clear California title.

#'s on data plate:
Chassis # A810879DN .
Engine # G 2368-8 (originally)
G/box# JLE 27410 (originally)
Body # F10889

2015-02-12 12:42:34 | Eric Welty writes:

This is my car, the pictures from the "red era' are what I bought it as off eBay. Kind of amusing to read the description now that I've become fully intimate with the old girl. The 'very decent' body of course proved to be anything but. Left front fender had been smashed at least twice and repaired with a 120 wing, floors and sills were shot, and decades of benign neglect meant that disassembly was a nightmare fighting rust welded fasteners.
Non original engine came out of a drophead (I think, judging by the heater valve) but this car had been subjected to a crude V8 conversion at some point. Engine mounts were hacked off, steering column cut and jointed (mounted to bracket made from piece of railroad track!) and firewall hacked up. So it's definitely been a challenge.
But as it is now basically just needs the interior and the hundred or so minor loose ends to be completed.