2014-09-14 15:32:08 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2020-02-14 13:11:16 | XK Data writes:

The record was updated:

2014-07-02 07:47:52 | pauls writes:

Car offered at auction:
classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php

Auction description:
Lot number 71
Estimate £58,000 - £62,000
Description Jaguar XK140 3.4 SE Coupe Competition Car
Registration MFF 689
Year 1956
Colour Red
Engine size 3,400 cc
Chassis No. S814496
Engine No. G7176-8

This 1956 left-hand drive XK140 Fixed Head Coupe returned to the UK in the late Eighties from the USA and was fully restored by an Essex doctor to an extremely high standard in the early Nineties.

After about 10 years the car was sold to XK expert Trevor Groom who, after a tour of Spain, sold it on to a gentleman who wished to do some gentle Continental rallying and rightly felt that a left-hand drive XK would be ideal. The car had a Moss overdrive 'box fitted to replace the non-standard 5-speed and was granted an FIA Historic Regularity Pass in May 2002 issued by the MSA.

Running in relatively standard condition the car was then enjoyed to the full, competing in the Winter Trial (Holland to Monte Carlo), The Three Castles (North Wales), the Scottish Malts (most of Scotland) and the Classic Marathon (Paris to Pamplona) all in 2003. In 2004 it did more of the same and in 2005 it completed the 1,700 mile Cape to Cape (cape Wrath to Cape Cornwall) in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

By now the bug had truly bitten and over the next couple of years the car received a total body-off-chassis rebuild with the aim of strengthening and upgrading for serious rally use. Brake and fuel lines were now routed inside the car and a new wiring loom was constructed to suit the revised dashboard, switch, relay and accessory locations. With a roll cage added and purposeful bucket seats with full harness belts also fitted, the cockpit was made both functional and comfortable for long distance events. The strapped bonnet was louvred and 15" 72-spoke wires were fitted with Vredestein Snow tyres.

Under the bonnet 2" SUs are fed by filtered Facet pumps including a Mangoletsi filter which enables fuel pressure to be checked. The six-branch exhaust is wrapped to reduce under-bonnet heat, while the cooling system features an aluminium radiator, expansion tank, a two speed electric fan, silicone hoses and a Davis Craig electric water pump. The head has been overhauled with unleaded valve seats and has been ported and polished.

Fitted with production D type cams, the engine (taken from another 1956 XK140) remains both smooth and tractable assisted no doubt by the weight-matched wide blade rods and balanced crank. The gearbox, which is noisy in first gear, is matched to an overdrive that engages instantly. Disc brakes were fitted on the front but the drums retained at the rear resulting in a decent handbrake. Other upgrades include a high torque starter, alternator, oil cooler, extinguisher, map light and pockets, Cibie quartz halogen lamps, air horns,4-spoke MotaLita woodrim wheel, compass and back up coil. The boot contains a case of spare parts, provision for a jerry can and a compact trolley jack.

There are bills for over £30,000 for parts alone relating to this second rebuild since which the car has done only three events, namely the 2008 Classic Marathon (Belgium to Cortina d'Ampezzo), 2009 Three Castles and 2010 Classic Mountain Challenge (Evian les Bains to Monte Carlo). Since then it has been used as a fast road car - a role at which it excels.

This XK has no less than seven files of history documenting the rebuild in photographic form with hundreds of invoices relating to the car since the early Nineties and full details of the entire specification of every aspect of the car. This is an ideal opportunity to acquire a really well sorted XK suitable for any number of events at home and abroad for a great deal less than it would cost to build a similar machine today.

2014-07-13 10:07:54 | pauls writes:

Car now said to be offered by Jeremy Wade:
www.xkjaguars.co.uk/

2014-09-11 16:08:02 | pauls writes:

The XK Gazette reports the car was not sold at above auction.

2014-10-25 14:09:20 | pauls writes:

Car to return to auction 11/14
www.silverstoneauctions.com/a-1955-jaguar-xk140-fhc-fully-restored-for-both-road ...

Auction description:
NEC Classic Motor Show Sale
1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC
Lot No.: 603
Registration: MFF 689
Chassis Number: 5814496
Engine Number: G7176
Number of cylinders: 6
CC: 3442
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Estimate (£): 49,000 - 53,000

We are informed by the vendor that this particular XK140 was repatriated to the UK in 1989 and subsequently restored by its then owner and used regularly until a change of ownership some ten years later. A complete 'body off' restoration was again undertaken between 2005 to 2008 to prepare a 'no expense spared' car for international rally use. MFF 689 bursts instantly into life and soon settles to an even tickover, the car surges forward with the slightest tap of the throttle, but is reported to remain manageable at all times, everything feels tight and well put together.

The vendor informs us of a substantial competition upgrade package which includes a high performance engine mated to a manual gearbox with overdrive, uprated chassis, uprated braking system, improved cooling, uprated suspension, bespoke electrical installation plus all FIA rally requirements to make this one of the most exciting road/rally cars in existence and also boasts current FIA paperwork. With the additional power on tap we are told the brakes are more than up to the job of bringing things to a predictable halt.

The restoration is reported to have been carried out to a very high standard, the quality of the metalwork is very good with decent panel fit throughout. Internally is very well prepared and the layout of all instrumentation is both clear and secure, the speedometer currently reads just under 8000 miles. The vendor informs us that with the car comes seven history files outlining the full expenditure during and after restoration which make for sobering reading for anybody about to commission an XK140 for restoration and as such makes this particular example amazing value for money. Being a 1955 car there is no MOT certificate however there is tax until February of next year. This is surely an opportunity to acquire a most potent and competitive XK140 for a fraction of the expense that has been lavished on this beautiful car. All the hard work has been done, now it just needs to driven and enjoyed.

2020-02-11 03:20:34 | Raymond writes:

I bought this car in the spring of 2015. The car is now in The Netherlands. In good condition and ready to compete in rally or race.