2026-08-26 18:23:11 | pauls writes:

Car to be at auction 9/26

handh.co.uk/vehicles/1955-jaguar-xk140-3-4-litre-drophead-coupe/

23rd Sep, 2026 Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire

1955 Jaguar XK140 3.4 litre Drophead Coupe

Extensively restored and uprated for touring

Estimate £50,000 - £60,000

Registration No: 656 XVP

Chassis No: 818230

MOT: Exempt

Completed on December 28th 1955 and dispatched to Jaguar Cars of New York two months later

Repatriated by the vendor in 2015 and subsequently treated to a ‘body off, ground up’ restoration which included conversion to right-hand drive

Correct-type ‘Special Equipment’ engine with XK150 cylinder head and ‘C-Type’ cam covers, five-speed gearbox, power assisted steering, alloy radiator, four-wheel disc brakes etc

Circa 200 post-refurbishment miles covered

According to its accompanying Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate, chassis 818230 was completed on December 28th 1955. Dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York two months later, the XK140 Drophead Coupe was resident in Maine by the time that the vendor acquired it for $35,400 during 2014. Repatriated that same year, the car was then stored until 2019 when its restoration was begun in earnest. The body was removed from the chassis and both items soda blasted back to bare metal. Former Denis Welch Motorsports employee Chris Brown renovated the coachwork; a process which involved cutting-out any corrosion and letting-in new metal / panels sourced from Leaping Cats of Nuneaton. Found to be reassuringly ‘rust free’, the chassis was coated with epoxy based paint and delivered to Barry Owen of Malta Classics in Anglesey who commenced reassembly with a right-hand drive steering rack, uprated Zeus braking system (discs all round) and new suspension bushes etc. A new radiator and fuel tank were fabricated in aluminium to the original dimensions and the car rewired throughout (including auxiliary power outlets secreted in the glovebox). The engine – a correct-type XK140 unit numbered G4510-8S – was thoroughly overhauled by Jim Stokes Workshop of Burton-on-Trent and upgraded with a later cylinder head, aluminium sump and hi-torque starter motor.

The five-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential were purchased from Realm Engineering and Trevor Groom Racing respectively. Classic Woodwork of Birmingham supplied a new, right-hand drive wood veneered dashboard, while JJD Instruments of Keighley rejuvenated the gauges. HCF Howell of Walsall renovated the brightwork. Though, the stainless steel wire wheels shod with Blockley tyres came courtesy of MWS. The restored body was reunited with the chassis and given eight coats of Cream paint replicating its original factory finish. Renowned marque specialists CMC of Bridgnorth comprehensively retrimmed the interior using leather to cover the door cards as well as the seats and fabricating the hood and hood bag in matching Dark Blue. Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, the 2+2-seater has covered a mere 200 or so post-completion miles (though, the speedo drive was only connected for the last 30 or so of these). As such, further shaking down / de-bugging might well prove necessary. A reluctant sale due to the vendor’s ongoing mobility issues, this handsome and subtly enhanced XK140 Drophead Coupe has the makings of a fantastic tour / event car. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and paperwork file.