1956 Jaguar XK 140 MC Fixed Head Coupe, Award Winner, 51 Yr Ownership

The XK140 was introduced in late 1954 and sold as a 1955 model. Exterior changes that distinguished it from the XK120 included more substantial front and rear bumpers with overriders, and flashing turn signals (operated by a switch on the dash) above the front bumper. The grille remained the same size but became a one-piece cast unit with fewer, and broader, vertical bars. The Jaguar badge was incorporated into the grille surround. A chrome trim strip ran along the centre of the bonnet (hood) and boot (trunk) lid. An emblem on the boot lid contained the words "Winner Le Mans 1951–3".The interior was made more comfortable for taller drivers by moving the engine, firewall and dash forward to give 3 inches more legroom. Two 6-volt batteries, one in each front wing were fitted to the Fixed Head Coupe, but Drop Heads and the Open Two Seater had a single 12-volt battery installed in the front wing on the passenger side.

The XK140 was powered by the William Heynes designed 3.4 litre Jaguar XK double overhead camshaft inline-6 engine, with the Special Equipment modifications from the XK120, which raised the specified power by 10 bhp to 190 bhp at 5500 rpm, as standard. The optional C-Type cylinder head carried over from the XK120 catalogue, and produced 210 bhp at 5750 rpm.

When fitted with the C-type head, 2-inch sand-cast H8 carburettors, heavier torsion bars and twin exhaust pipes, the car was designated XK140 SE in the UK and XK140 MC in North America.

In 1956 the XK140 became the first Jaguar sports car to be offered with automatic transmission. As with the XK120, wire wheels and dual exhausts were options, with most XK140s imported into the United States having the optional wheels. Cars with the standard disc wheels had spats (fender skirts) over the rear wheel opening.

Only 1959 LHD Fixed Head Coupes were produced out of the 8937 total XK140's.

This very very nice example has an interesting back story. In 1971 the Seller was a high school teacher in an Ohio college town and a young college girl had this car, having driven it there from her home in California. The car was kind of languishing in the dormatory parking lot, rarely driven, and starting to attract the wrong kind of attention. He made an offer which was initially rebuked only to be later accepted. He immediately got the car out of harms way, and started working on it, putting it back into service, and treating it like a collector car should be treated. Over time he improved the car with a new leather upholstery with cloths inserts since he intended to drive the car. The car was repainted the original color-discovered under a tail light-and the engine was taken out for a complete rebuild in the 90's. Front Disc Brakes and an aluminum radiator and overflow tank as well as a Pertronix Ignition have been added for reliability, with all original parts retained and with the car.

The car presents quite well with few flaws noted. The Paint is very nice, the Interior is Very Nice, the Chrome and brightwork is very nice with only the license plate holder showing some pitting, the woodwork is in excellent condition, and Wire Wheels are as new and wear fresh tires The car is shown occasionally and won its class at last years Dayton Concours. This is just a wonderful car.

The car runs and drives spectacularly-starting right up with the touch of the button, running smooth and steady. Acceleration through the gears is crisp and true with the glorious exhaust note only a properly tuned Jaguar can produce. The car handles well on even the most twisty road and the disc brakes stop the car with authority. All the gauges (with the exception of the clock which was rebuilt but has now ceased working) work perfectly, the car has a nice steady water temperature and strong oil pressure. A period appearing AMFM Stereo works quite well, but I just like hearing this motor. This car is just a joy to drive. This car can be pressed into immediate service without hesitation This is just a wonderful car.

Cars like this don't become available very often.