One to Buy: XK DK Perfection - 1955 Jaguar XK140 SE OTS Roadster
With the XK120 having rewritten the rulebook in terms of what could be expected from a vaguely affordable sports car, Jaguar understandably opted for evolution rather than revolution when it came to a successor.
The XK140 that emerged at the London Motor Show in October 1954 arrived six years after the prototype XK120 had shocked the world with its gorgeous lines, impressive technical specification and 120mph top speed. More power, extra cockpit space and improved brakes / suspension were the order of the day as the XK140 looked to build on the XK120’s massive commercial success.
Like its predecessor, Jaguar offered the XK140 in a choice of three body styles: a pared down Open Two Seat Roadster, a Drop Head Coupe with a proper folding canvas roof and a Fixed Head Coupe. All three could be uprated with a host of options to include the Special Equipment package and even a C-type head.
Currently available at the DK Engineering showroom in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, is an exceptional XK140 ordered new with the enormously desirable OTS Roadster body and Special Equipment pack.
Dispatched from Jaguar’s Browns Lane factory in June 1955 and destined for the firm’s Belfast distributor in Northern Ireland, chassis 800039 was configured in British Racing Green with Suede Green leather upholstery. It remained in the possession of the first owner, RJ McKenney Ltd., until 1964, at which point it departed for Scotland.
In 2018, the car was purchased by DK Engineering’s David Cottingham who had the family business restore it to the most exacting standard. During the course of this work, chassis 800039 was uprated with a D-type cylinder head and camshafts, H8 carburettors, a polished crankshaft and connecting rods, a five-speed gearbox, limited slip differential and alloy rimmed wire wheels.
The result is a phenomenally well sorted and very fast XK140 of a quality rarely seen.
Reprinted below is DK Engineering’s description:
RHD
Full DK Restoration
Matching Numbers
Price: £249,995
Our car presented here left the Jaguar factory in June 1955 for the Belfast Jaguar distributor.
Originally ordered in Right-hand drive and the attractive colourway of British racing Green over a Suede Green leather interior with bucket seats, just as the car presents today. Furthermore, this particular example was ordered new as an original Special Equipment model or 'SE' as it is known. This is confirmed by a Jaguar Heritage Trust certificate that will be supplied with the car.
The car would remain registered to a business in Northern Ireland, RJ McKenney Ltd, until 1964 when the car would pass onto the ownership of Mr David Clarke of Berwickshire.
Six years would pass before the vehicle would move to the London area under the new ownership of Mr Derek-Robert Grant of Southall in 1970. Changing hands once more, chassis 800039 would then pass into the ownership of Mr Hugh Bolton of Suffolk in 1974.
Mr David Cottingham, a Jaguar marque aficionado, would purchase the car in 2018 and see to it that this now presents as surely one of the very best XK140s existent.
Featuring all matching numbers, the car has over the course of the last four years been totally restored to DK Engineering’s exacting standards.
A decision was made to further enhance the already strong performance of this motorcar by upgrading several components including fitment of a racing ‘D’ type cylinder head and camshafts, H8 carburettor, polished crank, and rods, 5-speed gearbox, limited slip differential and alloy rimmed wire wheels.
Attention has also been paid to the general road manners of the car through a thorough overhaul and testing program applied to the braking system. Full weather equipment has also been newly manufactured for the car ensuring that it can be used as Jaguar intended.
The sale of this motorcar will include the following spares; cylinder head and camshafts, gearbox (freshly overhauled), seats, wheels.
The cherished registration shown in the images is not included as part of the sale.
Visually stunning and very fast, this XK140 OTS SE is surely one of the very best examples of Jaguar's classic 1950's sports car to come to market in recent years. Perfect, for runs down to Goodwood or worthy of an entry into many a classic car show, the extensive works undertaken in recent years ensure the cars usability truly match its beauty.
