1954→1956 Jaguar XK140 Hardtop Coupe
In 1954 Jaguar replaced their seminal XK120 with the slightly upgraded XK140. It used the same basic architecture as the preceding model but featured several interior and body upgrades including full-width bumpers, increased interior space and rack & pinion steering. As before, it was offered as an Open Two Seater roadster, Drophead Coupe convertible or Hardtop Coupe.
Fresh from their victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jaguar used their competition pedigree to sell the XK140. The principle brochure said “All the accumulated wealth of knowledge and experience gained in the hard school of racing have been built into the new XK140 models which are powered by the famous 3½ litre twin overhead camshaft XK engine.”
Upgrades to the body included a new grill with fewer slats and an integrated Jaguar badge. Front turn signals were installed on top of the fenders and amber driving lights were positioned just above the bumpers. The rear trunk lid featured a new central chrome accent and badges that spelled out “Winner Le Mans 1951–3.”
To make more interior room, the engine, firewall and dashboard were moved three inches forward. This relocated the battery to the inside of the driver’s side fender. The result was increased leg room and more space for the occasional seats in the Hardtop Coupe and Drophead Coupe convertible.
Power was up slightly from the outgoing model thanks to the XK120’s SE package which had more aggressive camshafts and increased standard output to 190 bhp. The transmission ratios were slightly shorter and the front torsion bars were increased.
Options for the XK140 included wire wheels, a Laycock de Normanville overdrive and a Borg-Warner automatic transmission for the Hardtop Coupe and Drophead Coupe. Color options were Black, Birch Grey, Pastel Green, Pearl Grey, Pacific Blue, British Racing Green, Dove Grey, Suede Green, Red, Lavender Grey, Battleship Grey, Cream, Pastel Blue and Maroon.
An optional MC performance package used the C-Type’s competition cylinder head with 2-inch H8 carburetors to produce 210 bhp at 5750 rpm. Further upgrades for the MC cars included twin exhausts, a high-speed crankshaft damper, adjustable fog lamps and windscreen washer jets.
1954 Jaguar XK140 Hardtop Coupe Gallery
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1954 – 1956 |
| built at | Coventry, England |
| price $ | $ 3,745 |
| price £/td> | £1,616 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| ignition | Lucas Distributor |
| block material | Cast Iron w/Aluminum Cylinder Head |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Twin SU Carburettors |
| displacement | 3442 cc / 210.0 in³ |
| bore | 83.06 mm / 3.27 in |
| stroke | 106 mm / 4.2 in |
| compression | 8.0:1 |
| power | 141.7 kw / 190 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 55.2 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 133.61 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Steel Body over Steel Ladder Frame |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| wheel type | Steel Discs or Optional Spoked Wires |
| front tires | 6.00×16 Dunlop |
| rear tires | 6.00×16 Dunlop |
| front brakes | Drums |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Torsion Bars, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Rigid Axle w/Half-Elliptical Leaf Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1422 kg / 3135 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2591 mm / 102.0 in |
| front track | 1295 mm / 51.0 in |
| rear track | 1283 mm / 50.5 in |
| length | 4496 mm / 177.0 in |
| width | 1562 mm / 61.5 in |
| height | 1334 mm / 52.5 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.38:1, 1.98:1, 1.37:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~201.2 kph / 125.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~8.4 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~26.5 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~16.6 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 52.99 litres or 14 gal. |
Auction Sales History
1956 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe S815222 – sold for $55,000 Matching numbers example. Long-term single-family ownership for decades. The most weather-friendly XK body style. Eligible for the majority of vintage rally events. One of the most capable sports cars of its day. Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auction 2015 by Bonhams
1955 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe S814386 – sold for $115,500 In the Ardie Overby Collection since 1968. Well documented history. Numbers matching example. Fitted with desirable C-Type head from new. JCNA award winning restoration with many NOS parts. Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auction 2015 by Bonhams
1955 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed Head Coupé S814488 – sold for €117,600 This XK140 SE Fixed Head Coupé is an outstanding example of the highly desirable Special Equipment version that featured the C-Type cylinder head. It was ordered through A&M Kooheji, the Jaguar distributors in Bahrain, and it was delivered to James R. Heising, who registered it briefly in the UK before exporting it to Pasadena, California. Shortly thereafter, it was sold to another California owner, in whose family it remained for more than 40 years. Auction Source: 2014 Paris by RM Auctions
1955 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe S814360DN – sold for $93,500 Meticulous bare-metal, three year rotisserie restoration. Equipped with the desirable MC package. A perfect vehicle for vintage rallying. Auction Source: 2014 Arizona by RM Auctions
1955 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe S814293 DN – sold for $93,500 Numbers-matching, fresh restoration by longtime JCNA judge. ‘M’ wire wheels, dual exhaust, fog lights, and ‘C’ type cylinder head. Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Certificate. Auction Source: Monterey 2012 by RM Auctions
1955 Jaguar XK140 SE Fixed Head Coupe – sold for $93,500 In 1996 the Jaguar was purchased by the consignor, a Kentucky collector who has since restored the car to its current presentation. The Antique Auto Shop of Hebron, Kentucky, was retained to conduct the restorative work, which included mechanical refurbishing, as well as paint and interior work. Since the restoration, this Jaguar has been regularly serviced and maintained as needed by Clay Cook and his restoration house in Erlanger, Kentucky, that over the past 30 years has developed a reputation for restoring and preparing show cars worthy of the finest concours d’elegance including Pebble Beach. Auction Source: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1957 Jaguar XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe S815802 – sold for $99,000 This matching-numbers, factory-equipped 1957 Jaguar XK140 MC is equipped with a factory-fitted close-ratio gearbox and benefits from a body-off restoration completed in 2004 to JCNA concours-quality standards. Handsomely finished in red with tan upholstery, the XK140 has virtually perfect brightwork, Lucas headlamps, correct Lucas fog lamps and reproduction period Firestone whitewall tires, as well as a correct trunk compartment with a spare tire and tools. An auxiliary fan was added, and while originally equipped with four-wheel drum brakes, the car is presently fitted with four-wheel disc brakes. The woodwork is correctly restored, and the weather stripping remains tight and virtually as new. A stunning “turn-key” example, this splendid XK140 MC Fixed Head Coupe has covered less than 3,100 miles since restoration and is complete with a Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust certificate. Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
